Announcing PMC 2021 Routes

Dear PMCers,

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE MESSAGE BEFORE PERUSING THE 2021 ROUTE MENU. The 2021 PMC will not be “business as usual” but we do intend to open registration in January.

PMC 2021 will include both fully supported routes and reimagined rides, allowing you to customize your PMC for levels of safety, mileage, fundraising and logistics that work for you. While no one knows exactly what next August will look like, we have planned a PMC that we believe will be manageable, include the most riders and meet state-mandated health and safety guidelines. Since we can’t host large off-the-bike gatherings during a pandemic, 2021’s focus is on the ride. While that will mean sacrificing some social events and lodging during PMC weekend, we expect to fully reinstate those amenities in 2022.

Our plan is to more effectively use our 360 miles of infrastructure to better socially-distance riders from each other. Starts will be staged in waves to limit congestion on the roads, at waterstops and finishes; you are also welcome to bypass the start and join your route where it’s most convenient. To maximize social distancing at waterstops and finishes, we will offer “grab & go” nutrition, and masks will be required to be worn at all sites. Regrettably, we will not be able to host social gatherings at our hubsites in Sturbridge, Wellesley, Bourne, Provincetown or Foxboro.

New for 2021, the PMC will offer a 100-mile loop on Sunday: the Wellesley Century! Also new, riders can choose a Sunday 25 or 50-mile route that starts in either Wellesley or Foxboro. (Note that the PMC will not offer a route from Bourne to Wellesley on Sunday.)

Even with our careful plans to keep riders safe and appropriately distanced, we understand that not everyone will feel comfortable participating in next summer’s PMC weekend. If that includes you, register for a “Reimagined ride” (see menu below) and the PMC will mail you an official rider jersey and other swag by the end of July, as we will for all registered riders.

2021 Registration Dates

As a reminder, the amenities at PMC 2021 will differ from those of past years in a number of significant ways.

The PMC will be able to provide:

• Route infrastructure support
• Medical and mechanical support
• Volunteer support
• Road and traffic control
• Luggage transportation on point-to-point routes
• Water stops with food and beverages
• “Grab & go” lunch at finish lines
• Ferry service from Provincetown (paid by the rider as in past years)

The 2021 PMC will not be able to provide:

• Hubsite gatherings (Sturbridge, Wellesley, Bourne, Provincetown and Foxboro)
• Access to the Mass Maritime Academy (MMA) campus beyond the finish line
• Lodging (except Friday in Sturbridge; facilitated by the PMC but paid by the rider)
• Major meals or alcohol
• Massage
• Showers
• Bus transportation before or after your ride

Riders must make their own arrangements for the following services in 2021:

All 2-Day Routes

• • Dinner and lodging on Saturday night 

Sturbridge to Bourne (Saturday)

• • Transportation to Sturbridge on Friday night or Saturday morning
  • Dinner and lodging Friday night
  • A ride to the Sturbridge start on Saturday morning (or ride your bike to join the route where it's most convenient)
  • Transportation home from Bourne on Saturday afternoon

Wellesley to Bourne (Saturday)

• • Transportation to the Babson start on Saturday morning (or ride your bike to join the route where it's most convenient)
  • Transportation home from Bourne on Saturday afternoon

Bourne to Provincetown (Sunday)

• • Transportation to MMA on Sunday morning (or ride your bike to join the route where it's most convenient)
  • Transportation home from Provincetown other than for those who reserve a ferry spot during registration
  • Transportation home from Boston (if taking the ferry)

Wellesley Century, Wellesley 25/50 and Foxboro 25/50 (Sunday)

• • Transportation to the Babson or Patriot Place start on Sunday morning (or ride your bike to join the route where it's most convenient)
  • Transportation home from your finish. (Note: The 25-mile routes are point-to-point while the 50-mile and century routes are loops.)

Please call the PMC office at 781-449-5300 or email panmass@pmc.org with any questions.

I often close emails with, "See you on the road." Never have I wished for that to be truer than now,

Billy Starr
Founder/Executive Director