Fargo and Away

PMC weekend was, in a word, spectacular. Every year I look forward to PMC weekend for so many reasons, but mostly for how much it nourishes my soul. To be surrounded by so many people united in a

Every long term PMC rider will tell you about how they’ve developed friendships with people they see only once per year.

Day 0 – NY/MA border to Sturbridge

This year, I chose to join a small group of PMC riders at the NY-MA border on the Friday before the official ride started. We arrived at the border just after a thunderstorm passed through, and hoped that it would be the last rain we’d see for the weekend.

A small group of us set out together to ride to Sturbridge, MA, the original official starting point for the PMC.

We rode through amazing country roads and up and over the pass where the Appalachian Trail cuts through western Massachusetts.

We saw dozens of other riders making similar ‘Day 0” journeys, and along the way few were treated to food and beverages at regular stops set up by friends and family to keep us all fueled and hydrated. 

The weather was spectacular all morning and though there were forecasts of possible rain, we stayed dry the 96 miles. 

We rolled into Sturbridge, MA around midday, and settled in for the pre-ride ceremonies and festivities.

Day 0 – PMC Festivities

Once we had arrived in Sturbridge, our first task was to check in and get the bikes ready for the big group departure early the next day.

As other riders checked in the lot filled up quickly with bikes. Behind the hotel, food and beverages were served while friends new and old gathered to swap stories and plan for the weekend’s rides. Dusk came all too quickly, and many of us headed into the convention center ballroom attached to the hotel to watch the opening ceremonies, headlined by Billy Starr, the founder of the PMC. Billy started out by comparing PMC weekend to the hit show, Ted Lasso, because there is just so much goodness and compassion all around. I wholeheartedly agree with him.

During his talk, Billy shared several key points about the PMC that I found inspiring

• The PMC has raised over $950 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since it was founded in 1980.
• Every dollar raised by PMC participants goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
• Over 60% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual budget comes from the PMC
• The PMC has become the largest athletic fundraising event in the country.
• Over 1000 cancer survivors – who the PMC designate our Living Proof community – either rode or volunteered in the PMC this year alone.
• Over half of all cancer treatments approved by the FDA in the past five years were developed at Dana-Farber
• Through their efforts, the PMC has helped to give hope to countless individuals affected by cancer.

Billy promised that the PMC will pass the $1 billion mark by next year’s PMC — an absolutely astounding milestone for a charity ride to reach. I look forward to being a part of the group that helps deliver on that goal.

Day 1 – Sturbridge to Bourne

Saturday morning, the official start was at 5:30 am. At 5 am, I met up with Ed Karjala, a fellow rider on the PMC team I ride for, after putting away a carb-heavy breakfast. Ed and I rode together on Day 2 last year and were going to try to stay together on Day 1 this year.

Ed and I set out with a large crew of riders that promised to be fast. It’s hard to tell in pictures, but sometimes you can tell just by standing next to another rider that he spends more time on his bike than you do on yours.

Sure enough, we were on the gas almost immediately. I hung with them for about 10 miles, but with a 110 mile ride on tap for the day and close to 100 miles ridden the previous day, I backed off just to be sure I could make it to Bourne, MA. Ed and I parted ways, but crossed paths at the first rest stop.

I also bumped into Billy Starr at the first rest stop and he graciously agreed to a selfie in front of the snack table.

Over the day, I rode with a variety of people, and 

Day 2 – Bourne to Provincetown

On Sunday morning, we were up at 3:30 am so that we could get packed, ready the bikes, eat, and get to the Bourne Bridge, where a dedicated bike lane was opened for us between 5 and 6 am. Riding at pre-dawn along the Cape Cod Canal we slowly warmed up. I was with the same riders I rode with in 2022, and once again the pace was high as we were determined to get to Sturbridge as early as possible. The weather was absolutely perfect, and we only faced a mild headwind as we approached the dunes of Provincetown.