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Casey Blake, Second year Sunday PMC rider, Team PwC

Published Date:   June 02, 2014

Topic:   PMC News

Are you nervous about signing up for the PMC? With only three weeks to prepare, the Sunday 27 mile ride to Patriot Place was the perfect choice for me! I hadn’t been on a bicycle since I was about 12 years old.  My husband and I had just bought new mountain bikes so that we could take some casual rides around our neighborhood and on Cape Cod over the summer.  Little did I know then how many miles I would put on this bike!  

As a member of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Pan-Mass Challenge steering committee, I knew almost everything about the ride- the different route options, fundraising expectations and the amazing stories of triumph and fun. I didn’t have the intention of riding in the 2013 PMC, however with just three weeks to go before PMC Weekend that all changed for two major reasons. First, I had the opportunity to help Team PwC reach our 100 rider goal. The day I joined the team, we crossed the threshold. I took pride in knowing that our firm would now reach this incredible milestone. Second, on a personal level, in 2012 my uncle passed away of lung cancer.  He was a healthy and active 48-year old man dedicated to his family and community.  His passing has truly left a void in our family, but his memory lives on.  I was proud to ride in his honor.

I chose to participate in the Sunday ride because it provided me with the option of a shorter route that required less preparation.  As I mentioned earlier, it had been quite some time since I had been on a bike and I knew that 27 miles would be the right option for me.  Along with riding came the fundraising aspect.  The 27 mile ride requires raising $1,000, and I felt confident that this was an amount that I could successfully reach.  The day I signed up, I sent emails and made phone calls to friends and family, explaining the importance of this cause and why I planned on riding. I knew that I would be able to reach my goal with not just the support of my family and friends, but because PwC supports its employees by matching funds raised for athletic events and subsidizing minimums in other ways too.  

When the morning of the PMC arrived, to say I was nervous is an understatement! I lined up with all the folks who had actual road bikes! After the National Anthem was sung and the blow horns signaled the beginning of the ride, off my colleagues and I went, united by our PwC jerseys.  After the first mile, I was in the groove and really enjoyed the course (despite a few hills that popped up along the way!).  I loved being a part of the PMC and spending time outside of work with my colleagues.  I whole heartedly recommend the Sunday ride.  Remember, I only had three weeks to prepare, without a fancy road bike.  I felt encouraged throughout the entire process and look forward to taking part in the Sunday ride again this year. 

"In 2013 Casey Blake was a first time rider for Team PwC and is looking forward to her second year doing the Sunday PMC #oneday 27-miler."

Special thank you to guest blogger Casey Blake of Team PwC for her contribution.

 

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