Why I PMC - Christos Nikolis

#WhyIPMC guest blog by Christos Nikolis, 17-year PMC rider

Why I PMC? The Better Question is: Why Wouldn’t I? 

Riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) has changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. When I signed up, I didn’t own a bike and now, I can’t picture my life without PMC. Like so many others, I first signed up to support The Jimmy Fund, but what I didn’t expect was how much the PMC would give back to me in return.

Beyond my family, the PMC is the most meaningful thing I will ever do. It is life-changing, life-affirming, and deeply personal. Once you start, you don’t want to stop—because at the heart of it all is a cause that matters. Cancer has impacted too many of our loved ones, and this is our chance to fight back. Every mile we ride is a tribute, every dollar we raise fuels groundbreaking research, and every pedal stroke brings us closer to a world where cancer is no longer a devastating reality.

For me, it’s personal. I ride in memory of my Dad and his Dad and in honor of my Mom—all heroes. And I ride for the countless others who inspire us along the way. The PMC is not just about raising funds; it’s about honoring those we’ve lost and lifting up those still in the fight.

More Than a Ride – A Community Like No Other
The people you meet through the PMC—on and off the bike—are unlike any other. When thousands of riders, volunteers, and supporters come together for one cause, the energy is electric. It’s love, camaraderie, selflessness, and a shared determination that makes you believe anything is possible. It’s the way the world should work all the time.

And when the road gets tough—when the wind is against us or we ride under the hottest New England summer sun or the coldest rain you can imagine—we keep going. Because we ride for something bigger than ourselves. And because we never ride alone. The PMC spirit is in every high-five, every pull into the wind, every “You got this” from a fellow rider.

The friendships you make, the stories you hear, and the moments of raw emotion along the way are irreplaceable. Whether you ride one day or two, 25 miles or 186, the key is just starting. Trust me—you’ll figure it out, and you’ll never look back.

Fueling the Fight at Dana-Farber
The dollars we raise don’t just go to any organization—they go directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), where some of the world’s best minds are working every day to end cancer. Every breakthrough, every clinical trial, every moment of hope for a patient and their family is fueled by what we do on this ride. I will pedal as long as I can to make sure they have what they need to keep leading the fight.

And when I can no longer ride, I’ll be there as a volunteer—because there’s no question where I’ll be on the first weekend of August, every year, for the rest of my life.

If you’re thinking about riding, just do it. The road ahead is challenging, but it’s also filled with hope, inspiration, and the most incredible community you’ll ever be part of. And when you cross that finish line, you’ll feel—you’ll know—that you’re part of something truly special.

Because when it comes to riding the PMC, the better question is: Why wouldn’t you?