2019 Pan Mass Challenge

Part Two of Ken's 2019 Charity Bike Rides- The 2019 Pan Mass Challenge

The Full Monty- West Stockbridge to Provincetown: 286 miles of Massachusetts

I'm going to express myself in this blog mostly in photos and photo captions, as I'm writing this blog post from the comfort of my backyard in Somerville, having completed my 7th PMC. I find myself very thankful after this PMC. Thankful for several reasons:

First of all the weather- we had incredible weather for all three days of the ride- no rain (for once) and no heat, outside of idyllic lower 80's by the afternoon. 

Secondly the company- I started from the NY state line on Day Zero in West Stockbridge with most of my close PMC friends- those that couldn't join us at the border, we met up with during Day 1.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I am very thankful that my daughter is winning her fight against clear cell sarcoma, and for that I am incredibly grateful. During this year's ride, I made an important connection with a woman who helped found Team Sarcoma Cycling Brigade, a team I will certainly join next year, which will allow me to direct my fundraising efforts to sarcoma research and patient support.

And lastly, I'd like to thank the incredible generosity of everyone who contributed to the PMC this year, either donating to my ride, or to any other rider. Together we will raise $60 million to fight cancer. I am thankful that I am nearly at my goal of raising $15,000. If you would like to contribute (but haven't been able to yet) please see this LINK.

Now to tell the tale of the 2019 PMC in pictures.

Day Zero: West Stockbridge to Sturbridge (97 miles)

We started our day at our usual no frills motel in West Stockbridge

It's a 4 mile bike ride to the NY state border where we officially begin

In the lead here is my friend Michael, who had a nasty bout of food poisoning the night before and bravely biked about ten miles before giving up for the day

I'm thinking Carlson Bike Body would be more spot on

Day Zero is made possible only by our amazing support crew, comprised of the family of our riding buddy Paul- his lovely wife Lisa and Lisa's amazing Dad, Lyle!

Okay, it was a little toasty by about mile 85, as evidenced by Jim wanting to stop at a 
Dunkin Donuts, a first in my riding history with Jim. Who is this guy??

The last part of Day Zero is a long climb up to Sturbridge and then the traditional
swim in Sturbridge Lake. We have arrived at the official start, our unofficial 97 miles notwithstanding 

h

We got our swag

And our tattooes

And relaxed with a cool beer by the lake

Good night bikes, good night moon. Actually hello moon as we are up at 4:30 AM!

Day One: Sturbridge to Bourne (110 miles)

Up and out early indeed. Met up with fellow Somervillians and 1st Year Riders Ted and Sarah-
Somerville Bike Committee represent, represent!

And we're off!  Biking with 4400 other riders from the Stubridge start (there's another
2400 riders starting from Wellesley)

Rolling through the southern Mass countryside

Trying not to make an ass of ourselves

One of our favorite streets on this Day is Cherry Street in Wrentham. We get greeted by high-spirited neighbors- drummers, steel drummers and bagpipers, oh my!

 .              .          

Fred Flintstone outside of the lunch stop! In Fred's
prehistory he was a PMC rider, now he keeps us all in line!

There are constant reminders during the ride of who we are riding for. We all think of
loved ones impacted by cancer during the ride, and some riders literally wear the names of those they
know on their jerseys

We finished the day in Bourne, on the Cape at the Mass Maritime Academy. 110 miles,
again great weather and the miles flew by

Some folks fare better than others over 110 miles, but a cool beverage
and a party atmosphere makes everyone feel better

Paul's excited about finishing 110 miles!

Erin enjoying some bliss

We set up out tent for the night, a circus tent of Paul's (actually a tent he designed
for cooking at 10,000 in Denali)

We went to the beach and watched the sky catch fire

Earlier in the evening our buddy John, a cancer survivor, was in the annual group photo of
the Living Proof riders, all cancer survivors

Day Two: Bourne to Provincetown (80 miles)

Early, early start on Day 2 (photo taken at 5:30)

Cape Cod Canal is so beautiful in the morning

This fisherman scored pretty well this morning! Such a smile on this guy!

The day on Cape Cod is pure bike candy, the miles fly by

At a rest stop with Jim and Michael

One must be careful on the Cape- this shark season
has been intense

This shark got out of hand at a water stop

John and Erin just chilling (literally, sitting on bags of ice!)

But like all good things, the PMC comes to an end as we reach Provincetown

Beer and lobster rolls make for a great recovery meal!

It was a great long weekend of riding with my buddies. A real gem weather wise

Love the ferry ride back to Boston. The bubble is over and back to life off the bike

Only to come back next year and ride again. Join me next year?

At last count, this year's PMC has raised over $46 million, on our way to $61 million. Let's put cancer in the rear view mirror! As Billy Starr the founder said, if we are successful, perhaps we can start using the ride to fight another disease. Let's hope so- but it will take a lot more pedaling and a lot more research to get there. Thanks for following our journey!

Read the blog posts below if you'd like to read about a 500 mile one week charity ride I did between July 13-20 from Auburn NY to Trenton NJ. I was trained up pretty well for the PMC this year!