Riding for Captain Dave

2014 marks my 11^th Pan-Mass Challenge ride. As I have done for the last 11 years, I will ride across Massachusetts this August to raise money for the Jimmy Fund in support of life-saving cancer research and care at Boston’s renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. As I have done for the last five years, I will wear my blue and yellow team jersey on the second day of the ride with my Team Kinetic Karma teammates. Each year, we ride for all of those affected by cancer, as well as our young pedal partners. But this year, we ride for Captain Dave.

Dave registered for his first Pan-Mass Challenge in 2002 upon learning of his mother’s fourth cancer diagnosis. She had beaten cancer three times before, and Dave was confident that she would beat it again. Dave and his family pursued numerous treatment options, some brand new and untested, in the hope that she would conquer cancer a fourth time. Despite Dave’s valiant efforts to find a treatment to save his mother, she passed away on the first Friday in August that year. Dave somberly began his first Pan-Mass Challenge the very next day.

In 2003, Dave formed Team Kinetic Karma, the team that I now am on. He has grown the group over the years to become an eclectic second family for its members. He celebrated with several teammates as the 2013 PMC check was presented to Dana-Farber last November. Days later, he received a terrifying diagnosis of his own. Stage 3 oropharyngeal (throat) cancer.

Dave’s doctors at Dana-Farber – the very hospital he had raised over $140,000 for by riding the PMC – prepared a course of treatment to destroy his cancer. The treatments consisted of robotic surgery to cut out his tonsils and parts of his throat, soft palate, and tongue to remove the cancer, followed by  traditional surgery to remove 18 lymph nodes in his neck. He then underwent six weeks of radiation therapy. Near the beginning of his daily radiation treatments, Dave came over for dinner and we caught up on things cancer-related and not. At the time, he had been jogging to and from his appointments in an effort to stay healthy – and to retain a sense of normalcy. By the end of his treatments, the cumulative effects of radiation had him relegated to his bed and unable to eat much on his own.

Over a month has passed since his last radiation treatment. Messages from Dave were mostly about his lethargy and his frustration about losing weight and energy, and waiting for that elusive light at the end of the tunnel, signaling a turning point in his recovery.

Meanwhile, Team Kinetic Karma started gearing up for the 2014 PMC – we held our first official training ride of the season a few weeks ago. I went fully expecting to take a group photo to send to Dave to cheer him up. As I pulled in, I noticed Dave’s car. I first thought of how nice it was that he came to see us off. Then I saw him dressed in his Team Kinetic Karma jersey. And bike shorts. And I thought, maybe he will ride the first five miles or so (we had planned a 28-mile loop).

Dave rode the entire 28-mile ride with us! And he looked strong! If Dave hadn’t seen that light yet, he definitely pedaled toward it, and I think he may have found it that day. I’m not a doctor (I don’t even play one on TV), but I can say that on that day, I saw a man who had conquered cancer. Dave’s journey has been inspirational throughout, from diagnosis in November to surgery in December to radiation in January and February to a 28-mile bike ride in April. I’ve never been more inspired to ride the PMC.

At 41 riders, Team Kinetic Karma will field its largest contingent ever for the 2014 PMC. I will be among them. So will Dave. I can’t wait to approach the finish line in Provincetown, “champagne” toast in hand, with my friend.

Please support my Pan-Mass Challenge ride in honor of Dave and all the other brave cancer fighters, and in memory of those that we have lost to cancer. 100% of your donation will go straight to the Jimmy Fund in support of the research and care that helped save Dave’s life and the lives of thousands of others. Dave is making his cancer history. Will you help make cancer, as we know it, history? Please make your donation today.

Back in the Saddle

It's been a long time since my last post in August. Since then, I completed the one-day, 125-mile Harbor to the Bay ride from Boston to Provincetown. It was a great day and a challenging ride, but I crossed the finish line strong and proud. Thanks to my generous donors, I raised over $1,400 for Fenway Health, one of the world's leading health centers for the LGBT community. I'm planning on signing up again for the ride this September, so stay tuned!

In November, the Pan-Mass Challenge announced that the 2013 ride raised a record $39 million for the Jimmy Fund, bringing the all-time total raised to $414 million! I am so proud to be a part of this efficient, large, and incredibly successful organization. The funds that we raise are saving lives, and there is nothing more important than that,

2014 marks my 11th Pan-Mass Challenge ride. For my fifth year, I am joining Team Kinetic Karma for the two-day, 190-mile ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown. In August, we will join 5,500 riders for the annual trek, raising over $40 million along the way. Please join me in my journey along the way. From now until August, I will be posting about my training and fundraising activities. I hope to inspire you to donate to this excellent cause. 100 percent of your donation will go to the Jimmy Fund in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's innovative research and compassionate, life-saving cancer care. Click here to make your secure, online donation today.

A Decade of Pan-Mass Challenges

This past weekend marked my tenth time riding the Pan-Mass Challenge. It was an incredible two days, filled with excellent cycling weather (except for a few passing showers), supportive, funny, and draftable teammates, and beer! Seriously though, it was my best PMC yet. Let me give you the run-down of the weekend.

On Friday, my dad drove Marcus and me to Sturbridge, the start of the weekend's ride. We checked into our hotel, registered, and immediately headed to the cycling expo for, you guessed it, beer. Then we headed outside to greet my teammates who rode in from the New York border - 95 extra miles of riding! Then time for another beer, then dinner time! Many of my teammates were there and we talked about how excited we were for the ride to begin.

It was early to bed for us, since I had a 3:45 am wake-up. We arrived at the starting line around 5:00 am (yes, it was pitch black out still) and readied for our 5:30 am departure. After a rousing rendition of the National Anthem (sung by a fellow rider), we were off! The first few miles have pretty rolling hills, perfect for warming up the legs. One of my most dedicated supporters, Sheila, always greets me at the first turn of the ride in Charlton. She spells out both my first and last names on a big sign, lest any other Jared think the sign is for him! Thanks, Sheila!

I could tell that this PMC was going to be a little different as I started to ascend the hills of central Massachusetts. Typically I approach hills with dread - ugh, another hill! Not this year. When I came upon a hill, something in my brain compelled me to motor up it. I still haven't figured out why, but I felt the need to conquer the challenges that I was faced with head-on. It paid off - while I was winded at the top of many climbs, I gave them everything I had.

The weather forecast called for the clouds to break later in the day, but that never materialized. The temperature stayed in the 60s and 70s all day, which was a welcome relief from last year's oppressive heat. My teammates and I rolled into the lunch stop, 70 miles into the route, around 10:15 am. I had told myself that I wouldn't overeat at this stop, which I typically do, and that was a wise decision. I still had 40 miles to go, and I didn't want to do it on a full stomach. I knew how much food (and beer! Did I mention they have beer?) would be at the end of the day's ride, and I knew I could refuel there.

The next 40 miles went surprisingly quickly, thanks to my strong teammates! We formed a paceline and motored through the South Coast before arriving in Bourne, 110 miles from Sturbridge. I got to cross the day's finish line with my friend Lisa, which was awesome! After that, I did the following, in this order: park bike, get massage appointment, see Kim (my favorite volunteer!), shower, beer, eat, beer, eat, and eat! It was another early night and I retired to my bunk on the (air conditioned) ship for the night.

I was up at 4:20 am on Sunday to prepare for the second and final leg of the ride - 80 miles through the Cape to Provincetown. I met my teammates at 5:15 am and we were off on the now very familiar route. Day 2 is filled with milestones: the gradual climb of the Bourne Bridge, watching the sunrise over the Cape Cod Canal on the bike path, the rolling hills of Service Road (think roller coaster), Da Hedge (you have to see it to really get it), the views from Ocean View Drive, the hills of Truro, and the Provincetown dunes. Just like the day before, my teammates were with me all day providing a wheel to draft off of, something to laugh at, and the sense of camaraderie that you only get with genuinely good people.

Just before the finish line, my team, Kinetic Karma, always assembles to take a "champagne" toast photo. The people in this photo made the weekend so memorable. It has to have been my favorite PMC ever. We were fast, we had fun, and we drank beer. Oh yeah, and we raised a hell of a lot of money to fight cancer (to the tune of over $200,000 as of today!). I'm proud to call them all my teammates, and even prouder to call them my friends. Thanks, guys, for an incredible weekend! If you're interested in seeing my cycling data for this year's ride, here it is: Day 1 and Day 2.

The first few days back in the "real world" are always a tough adjustment. And it's not just because my butt still hurts. It's because the PMC exemplifies everything that is good in this world. 5,500 riders, 3,000 volunteers, and countless supporters along the route all coming together for one thing - to end cancer. It's really something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime - I encourage you to check out what makes the PMC so wonderful.

In terms of my fundraising, I'm so happy to have the continued support of my family and friends. Thanks to them, I'm only $345 away from meeting my goal of raising $6,700 to fund the fight against cancer. If you haven't made your donation yet, there is still time! Click here to make your secure, online donation today.

Thank you all, and I'll be back for PMC 2014!

Two Days Before Two Days/190 Miles

Rolling out from Sturbridge.

This is around the time every year that the butterflies start forming in my stomach. I am two days out from riding my tenth Pan-Mass Challenge ride, and I couldn't be more excited! Here's a brief overview of what I'm going to be experiencing this weekend.

FRIDAY. I'll head to Sturbridge, my starting location, and get my first taste of PMC 2013 - the Sturbridge Host Hotel will be swarming with riders and volunteers. I'll get registered, meet my team for our final "carbo-loading" dinner, and watch the opening ceremonies (you can watch them live online at http://www.pmc.org/pmc-live). Then it's early to bed for an even earlier wake-up call.

SATURDAY. I'll wake up around 4 am and head back to the starting location in time to roll out at 5:30 am with thousands of other riders. We'll make our way from Sturbridge to Bourne, all 110 miles, on adrenaline, peanut butter bananas, and support from the volunteers and the cheerers that line the entire route. Upon the completion of Saturday's ride, I'll do the following in this order: park my bike, get a massage appointment, get a beer, say hi to Kim (my FAVORITE volunteer!), shower, have another beer, eat more than you can imagine, get my massage, have yet another beer, listen to live music, and go to bed. It's a long day, but it's all worth it!

SUNDAY. Another early wake-up call. Time to finish this ride! We roll out early and very quickly are faced with our first hill of the day - the Bourne Bridge. Then we ride along the Cape Cod Canal at sunrise and traverse the quaint towns of Cape Cod. The Brewster rest stop is a highlight of the day - it always has a party atmosphere and the food is particularly good there! Then another 40 miles to Provincetown. Here's a lesson I learned during my first PMC in 2004 - the Cape is not flat! Right before the finish line, my team will gather for our annual "champagne" toast photo, then we roll in together. More beer and food before heading back to Boston.

I cherish this weekend, and I'm happy that I get to share it with all of you. Your generous support over the last ten years is the sole reason I am able to experience this weekend. I truly appreciate it!

Because of the support of friends and family, I am only $475 away from reaching my goal of raising $6,700 this year! I'd really love to meet that goal before I roll out on Saturday. If you have yet to make a donation, now is the time! 100 percent of your money will go straight to the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber's fundraising arm. Be a part of history and support the PMC today! We will end cancer!

Please make your donation here: http://www2.pmc.org/profile/JF0128. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

$2,000 in 7 Days Challenge!

It's that time again! The Pan-Mass Challenge is in only 17 days, and it's time to ramp up both my training and fundraising. Today I am launching my annual fundraising drive. I'm aiming to raise $2,000 over the next seven days to fight cancer. This $2,000 will put me well over the minimum amount that I committed to raising, and I'll be well on my way to my goal of raising $6,700. Click here to donate!

Each day I will post reminders of my fundraiser, and I'll share a little bit about the ride and why I'm so excited to be a part of it. One of my main motivations this year is that little girl in the pink and blue helmet - Megan. In February 2011, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. She has finished her treatment at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and is now cancer-free! She is living proof of the advancements that have been funded by past donations to the PMC.

Join me in honoring Megan's incredible fight by making a donation to my PMC ride today. 100 percent of your donation will go to the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber's fundraising arm. Together, we will make cancer HISTORY.

Please donate today. Thank you!

On the Road

It's been a busy June for work travel. New Jersey, Sacramento, San Francisco, and currently Minneapolis. While I'm not getting in as many local miles as I would otherwise, I'm trying my best get get some time in the saddle on the road.

This past weekend, Ian joined me in San Francisco for a long weekend. We rented bikes and rode through the City, across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it. The headwinds made it a challenge but the views made it all worthwhile. That's us above on the iconic bridge!

This week, I'm in Minneapolis for work. Usually I travel for meetings, but this time I'm working with a National Park in Minnesota doing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure assessments. The pic below is of me and my colleague/friend Ben on one of our site visits. The Twin Cities' Nice Ride bikeshare system is getting us around the area.

I'm back in Beantown on Friday, and I fully intend on rampin up my training in preparation for my ride in 5 weeks. Have you made your cancer-fighting donation yet? You still have time, but it's getting close! Click here to give. Thank you!

Training

Since my first training ride of the season in mid-April, I've logged 230 miles in the saddle(s).* I'm 88 miles ahead of my training from last year at this date, but I still have a ways to go to be ready for the PMC in less than 8 weeks. The 51-mile ride I did this past weekend was great training, but I need to get stronger to be able to get to Provincetown without cramping up in Brewster!

Summer isn't just training season for me - it's my busy travel season at work. I've already been to South Dakota and New Jersey since late May, and I have trips planned for California, Minnesota, and Georgia all before the PMC. These are weekday-only trips (except for California, where I'll spend the weekend in San Francisco!), but they still limit my availability for training rides. I'm also going on vacation in Provincetown (home of the PMC's finish line!) in mid-July, but I'll be bringing my bike for training rides. Where better to train than on the actual route?!

The weather forecast for this weekend looks great. See you on the road! And please consider making your donation today.


*I bought a new bike (no, that's not mine in the photo above, but it's nice too)! I'll still be riding my trusty Specialized bike, which has been my PMC companion since 2007, in August. I sold my hybrid (which got me to Provincetown in 2004-2006...slowly) and purchased a Salsa Vaya 3, a touring bike. It's a slick, solid bike that will someday carry me across the United States (ending with the two days of the PMC, of course!). I don't know when I'll be doing it, but  I WILL do it! :)