*for now postponed until my COVID-19 side effects are gone and dr let’s me back on a bike. Stay tuned!
I ride for my guardian angel (always) and I ride because I almost couldn't (again)! My statement for the 2018 PMC and now again in 2020! (please feel free to click on my photos to “view” my story too!)

I'm back riding the Pan-Mass Challenge in 2020 for an even greater cause. So many of us have been connected to someone living with cancer or someone has gone through the fight. A few weeks ago I was too. Receiving news that Marc Harding, a long time college friend, has cancer. I knew the PMC is what I had to do…to help and show my support to him. I told Marc I was riding for team #FYW (a hashtag he has named his tumor aka for all those with potty mouths - Fuck You Walter). As he starts his fight, I start mine – a fight against cancer, one pedal at a time!

I completed my first Pan Mass Challenge August 2018; a goal I thought might never happen and almost didn't. I set my goal after my father passed away and promised myself that I would ride before the age of 40. But just before I turned 40 I heard four little words that stopped my tires right in its tracks You've had a Stroke. I thought I was done, never completing my bucket list! But Big Steve got in my head, reminded me to never give up as he always did and I know he pushed me that August 4th day. My father was an avid cyclist (and skier) and always pushed me to attain my goals. I didn't want to let him down or me. Together with him looking down on me we pushed to the finish line through the rain. It was an amazing feeling, a feeling of incredible accomplishment. I knew I had to do it again.

But in September 2018 during a simple weekend ride, I crashed, suffering head and neck injuries and was incredibly lucky they were not more severe. PMC was not even an option, it took me over 10 months to get back on a road bike. But I made it!

Unfortunately, I unable to ride the weekend of the PMC so instead I have become a virtual rider for the PMC this year. A virtual rider is a unique program that allows those unable to ride on August 1st a way to be part of the PMC goal to fund cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The key for the virtual rider program as stated by the PMC is the rider’s passion for fundraising, a belief in the PMC and the desire to be small part of a path to finding a cure. I TRULY believe in all of that! On Saturday, June 20, 2020 I’ll ride my own PMC here in NJ. I will ride for Big Steve; my guardian angel, I will ride for the 2nd (and 3rd) chance I was given at life and now I ride for #FOW and to support my good friend Marc Harding.

Please consider making a donation to honor TEAM #FOW, to honor Marc and for all those that can’t ride! Thank you so much!