2025 will mark my 17th year riding the Pan-Mass Challenge! I initially rode in 2009 to honor a high school classmate who had lost his battle with cancer less than a year after graduating high school. For many of us in that 80+ class of 1986, it was our first loss of a peer to cancer. That year, 2009, was the one and only year I rode the PMC with a CamelBak.
Me in 2009 with my CamelBak
Over The Years…
Over the years, the ride became more and more personal as friends and family have shared their stories with me. There is an increasing number of friends & family in my circle who have lost their battles with cancer.
First, I lost my step-father to a brain tumor just 2 months before my 2011 ride. Later, I lost friends, colleagues, and family members to cancer. Friends of mine have also lost family members to cancer. Every year I have cycled in new photos of those who I was riding for on the back of my jersey who have battled or were battling cancer. I was running out of room on my jersey for all the photos, so I had to start including only recent people.
This year, I will honor all of them with ribbons attached to my PHAT Tuesday Headgear. Lavender for Cancer, and Gold for Pediatric Cancer (for my team’s Pedal Partners since 2009, my first year).
2024: College Roommates
In 2024 I rode in honor of 2 of my college roommates who were battling cancer. Unfortunately one of them, Chris Greklek, passed away on the Tuesday before the PMC after a 17 year battle with cancer. His funeral was over PMC Weekend.
He had been battling cancer for as long as I had been riding.
Chris Posted this in January of 2024:
“HOPE is a tough thing. I've had it and lost it more times than I'd like. Today's always a tough day. It was 16 years ago today when I was first diagnosed. I've won more battles than I care to remember. It's always been a tough fight, but HOPE is given.
My disease has spread significantly and is progressing. MD Anderson, in Houston, has a study that specifically targets my tumor mutation. HOPE is given! I just learned I'm excluded from this study due to my preexisting myeloma. HOPE is taken away.
The options now are few but will be attempted. 2024 will either be my BEST year or my last. I still hold on to HOPE. It gives me strength. Text me if you have my cell or DM me. It's always joyous to remember the great times.“
When Chris posted this I immediately texted Chris and we reminisced a little about our college days.
I then made plans with my other former college roommates to pay a visit, and we did. We got together over the first weekend in March and caught each other up on our lives. We also reminisced about all the interesting times we had in college. Most importantly, we made each other laugh,
Chris did talk about his health struggles, but it wasn't a focal point of the weekend. It was all about reconnecting and good company. All in all, a good time was had.
Left to right: Me, Kevin, Chris, and Jason reconnecting in March of 2024.
I was glad I made it a point to reconnect with him earlier that year. Cancer sure does suck.
Erich Haberman
Unfortunately, the end of 2024 gave me another reason to ride: Erich Haberman.
I met Erich at the local CrossFit Gym I belong to: CrossFit TriCounty in Bellingham, MA.
Whenever I shared a class with Erich, I was always struck by how positive and determined he was, no matter how hard he struggled. He had a radiant personality and was always fun to be around.
Erich had been struggling with health issues. In the latter half of 2024 came the diagnosis of Stage 4 Colon Cancer.
That November he lost his battle.
He was the husband of 12 years to Nicole Haberman; and father to his beloved children, Charlotte and Noah.
This year I am dedicating my ride to Erich.
Call to Action…
Since 2020, I have raised an average of just under $11,000 per year. This year I'd like to crack the $12,000 mark. Please help me reach (and exceed) that goal!
100% of every donation goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and supports cancer research & patient care.
Please donate, and more importantly, don't put off that colonoscopy if you are due.
Thank you for your support!
Marty Middelmann