My PMC journey began in 1984 as an enthusiastic but causal cyclist interested in a challenge and doing something good for others. Billy Starr, my college squash coach and founder of the PMC, along with my college math professor, Gordon Pritchett, introduced me to the PMC family. Five years later I met my future wife Pam training for the event and we have been participating together ever since.

Just like everyone else, cancer has hit us hard on and on very personal level. We ride now in memory of our three parents who have all lost their lives to cancer (Sue Hess - April 2020, Bob Gibson, Sr. - April of 2019 & John Hess, Sr. - 1992). Specifically this year we ride in honor of Pam’s mother Sue who was  a 40+ year survivor but passed away this past April after a recent reoccurance. Our motivation is not only for them but also the many, many other relatives, friends and colleagues impacted by cancer over these past 36 years.