I FINISHED my 82.9 miles ride in 5 hours and 45 minutes actual riding time, averaging almost 15 miles an hour the entire way. It was not a race, " it was a ride," and I felt strong at the end. The route was relatively flat which helped me as it is pressure from standing on the pedals to go up hills that really makes my feet hurt and goodness knows you need your feet to cycle. What hills there were, I managed without problem largely because of the months of training rides in the Worcester hills. I started riding from Wellesley at 7 AM and arrived at the Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne at 2:45 PM. Total event time from start to finish 7 hours and 50 minutes. We couldn’t have had better weather, the morning temps were actually a little chilly, but as the day wore on the sun warmed us up, the skies were clear the air dry, the water stops kept us hydrated and fueled and I would like to say the wind was always at our backs but that’s not exactly true as we did encounter some of those frisky swirly winds from Freetown to Bourne. I pedaled hard to ‘find a wheel’ and stay on it in order to make my ride a little easier the last 20 miles.

I come away from this experience profoundly moved by many things. First and foremost the spectator’s young and old alike that dotted the roadsides the entire way (and believe me when I say many were there for HOURS), children extending hands for high-fives, adults offering bottled water, others clapping or shouting out words of encouragement or holding up posters conveying the thoughtful messages ‘Thanks riders’ or ‘You give us hope’ or ‘You’re amazing’. Secondly, I have to say that I became pretty choked up with emotion when I saw posters of too many children who are currently battling Cancer surrounding the Decas Elemantary School playground area where we had our final water stop. NO ONE should have to suffer with this dreaded disease especially those so young.  

Last but not least after 30 years, the PMC organization really has thought of everything to attend to the needs of the riders. From transportation of bicycles and clothing to and from the starts and finishes, food and water all along the way and I think there are 10 routes in all, sanitary facilities that were spotless at all hours of the day, HOT SHOWERS at the end of the ride, proper signage so that no one got lost, medical and mechanical assistance, message therapists to rub those weary shoulders, clean up crews, merchandise to raise additional money for The Jimmy Fund, you name it. And NOT ONE DIME OF THE MONEY DONATED BY OUR SPONSORS SUPPORTS ANY OF THIS ACTIVITY OR THE PMC ADMINISTRATION. Much of this is accomplished by volunteers, over 3000 of them. Their effort is nothing short of amazing.

While I had a strong finish this ride is not yet over. While many people have said that we riders are amazing, let me say that we are not the amazing ones. It is you our sponsors who are amazing because your generosity makes this entire event possible. Eight months ago on January 21^st, I made the commitment to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge with Team Perry. To date Team Perry has funded the fellowships for SEVEN gifted medical research doctors in addition to supporting gastrointestinal cancer research at Dana Farber. If you haven’t done so, it is not too late to click the “Donate to my ride” button below and help us make the difference. If you would prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to the PMC-Jimmy Fund and send it to my home at 382 Linden Street, Boylston, Ma. 01505.

I think that I will be reflecting on my PMC experience for a long time but one thing I know for sure. Team Perry’s slogan ‘Pain is temporary- Pride is Forever’ is RIGHT ON because I awoke this morning proud to be associated with this group of dedicated riders who established in 2001 and to date has raised over 2.5 million dollars in support of the Perry S. Levy Fund for Gastrointestinal Cancer Research at Dana Farber. You should be too.

Arlene