(updated 9/17/24)
My PMC ride was 6 weeks ago and I’m still in the final stretch to raise the last 10% of my ambitious $27,000 2024 goal. I want to thank the 331 donors, which helped me pass the 15-year cumulative quarter million mark this year (current total over $262,000). Although some progress has been made for treating and curing cancer, there is still much more research to do, so I still ride, and I reach out every year to again ask for donations.
The PMC still has $11 million to raise to meet its $75 million 2024 goal. For my 2024 goal of $26,000, 121 sponsors to date have put me $2700 short of this goal. I'm still hoping some company matching funds and some additional donors help me reach my goal. Donations received by Oct 1st will count towards 2024, those received after will count towards 2024 when I’ll be riding again.
Read my full ride report and detailed description here: https://www.nandon.net/PMC2024/2024_full_post-ride_report.pdf
Donald's 2024 PMC Brief Ride Report
PMC 2024 was a fabulous return for me to the 2-day ride all the way to Provincetown; it was the first time I did this route since 2019. The camaraderie of the other riders, the support of the volunteers and cheering spectators just cannot be beat.
The weather turned out to be a bit of a challenge both days. Though cooler and cloudier both mornings, it was unbelievably humid and then despite forecasts, cleared up and got sunny making the last half of both days a challenge you wanted to get through. This too is just part of the name after all it is called the Pan Massachusetts Challenge. Even though the weather was tough, it was not too hard, and good pre-training and supporters along the way got me through.
I started my Saturday ride at 6:15am at the Framingham/Natick line riding 7 miles to join the PMC Route from Wellesley in Dover at their 6-mile-mark. Reached the first waterstop in Wrentham (1/4th done) at 8am drenched after riding in 84% humidity at 79°F.
Here is a photo of me riding into the Dighton-Rehobeth lunch stop at 10am (45.4 miles in).
By noon, instead of rain, the cloud cover cleared and it just felt hot. Made the break a bit longer and slowed down the pace because it’s not a race. At the Lakeville waterstop 59.3 miles in, I refilled my 3 liter hydration pack with ice and water. In addition to ice-cold water to drink, the pack gets stored in the seat webbing just behind my back providing some extra cooling relief. Stopped at the last waterstop a bit over an hour later to reapply sunscreen. My laid-back position on the recumbent, means lots more sun, so even with reapplying sunscreen 4 times, I got a bit too much sun with the high humidity and sweat diminishing the sunscreen effectiveness.
By 2:30pm, I completed my 85 mile ride for the day. Felt much better after a shower. Another nice treat was the free 15-minute massage, this year with two masseuses, one doing my legs and the other the top of my body.
At 6pm, posed in the Living Proof photo. The arrow points to me. There were over 1100 survivor riders and volunteers in the 2024 PMC. This number keeps growing every year, a testament to the improvement of cancer treatments.
I rode a few blocks off the MMA campus to meet Nancy who picked up me and my bike for a ride to Mashpee staying with friends. Slept for around 5 solid hours, which is more than I usually get staying on the MMA campus.
Sunday, woke up ~4am, ate breakfast, got my bike ready, applied sunscreen, filled up hydration bag and water/juice/electrolyte bottles, and was off at 5:15am. Sun wasn’t up yet, but already 75° with 94% humidity. After 13 miles I joined the PMC route on the climb to the Route 6 service road. The next 6 miles are the rollers, my favorite part of the ride on my recumbent bike.
By 7am, I was 24.3 miles in at the Barnstable water stop. By 8:30 am, I was at the Nickerson stop which is super crowded with fun music and a party-like atmosphere. The clouds and threatening rain had cleared and it was hot again, so I slowed down and took longer times at the waterstops. At 10:15am I pulled into the last water stop in Wellfleet with 58 miles done. Cloudless sky and very hot, more sunscreen! At 12:23 I crossed the Provincetown Inn finish line happy to be done and feeling great, especially after a shower that cooled me off.
