2014:
Sometimes, learning how to ride a bike is difficult. It takes time, practice, and determination. You need to learn how to keep your balance on the bike, operate the gears of the bike, and then change the gears as needed to accommodate different terrains while riding.
There is a brief YouTube clip of a four-year-old (give or take a year) boy who has recently learned how to ride a bike. In the video, the boy says, “Everybody, I know you can believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you will know how to ride a bike. If you don’t, you just keep practicing. You will get the hang of it, I know it! If you keep practicing, you will get the hang of it, and then you will get better and better at it. Thumbs up everybody, for rock ‘n roll!”
This quote from the video relates to the mission of the Pan Mass Challenge, as well as our family. As we wrote in last year’s PMC post, Daddy always expected us to do our best. One of the things that he used to say was, “Practice makes perfect.” Then, at one point, he changed his saying to “perfect practice makes perfect.” This is an important lesson, and one that is reflected in everything that Amanda, Janie, and I do.
Dad and mom expected us to be the best that we could be. They gave us a strong foundation by teaching us what we needed to know in order to be successful. Beyond that, they expected us to work as hard as we needed to in order to attain our goals in our own way. Success is not about being perfect. It is about learning to apply standards and rules in everyday practice to make it your own. And as we keep practicing, and get better and better at the things that we are passionate about, we can put our thumbs up for Rock ‘n Roll, knowing that we put our best foot, and wheel, forward.
This year, we continue to ride the hills of the Pan Mass Challenge with Daddy’s team, the Biker’s Dozen, and support the goals of the Dana Farber Institute to find a cure for cancer. We plan to keep the same fundraising goal as last year for the 2014 PMC, and ride on to conquer the hills of the Pan Mass Challenge as we get “closer by the mile.” We sincerely appreciate your continued support in honor of Daddy and the Biker’s Dozen.
~The Cole Girls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaIvk1cSyG8
After Daddy rode in his first PMC in the summer of 2008, he came home with stories about the course, especially the long hills that his team conquered during the ride. He made a point to express the feeling of commitment and pride that came when they crossed the finish line. It is with that same perseverance and honor that we continue to “conquer those hills” with his team, the Biker’s Dozen, in the fight against cancer.
Last year, we fell short of our goal, but this year, we will continue our efforts to reach a new one. We hope to surpass last year’s fundraising total of $3,917.46, and climb the hill to $7500 to support the Pan Mass Challenge and Dana Farber Institute. Every little bit helps, and we sincerely appreciate your continued support. “We are, closer by the mile!”
-Carly Cole
Daddy believed so strongly in giving back to the community. He always tried to teach us how to use what we loved, and what was important to us, to help others in need. Similarly, riding in the PMC allowed Daddy to combine his love of cycling with fundraising to support cancer research. Each year he would look forward to coming together with his team, The Biker’s Dozen, to join in the force trying to find a cure for cancer.
This year we hope to exceed last year's fundraising total of $6400 and try to reach $7500! Every little bit helps us to get closer to our goal. "We are, closer by the mile!"
It was one of those little moments that contribute to the fabric of what makes the PMC great. Last August, riding through a hilly section headed back to Wellesley, Steven and I were talking about just how great it was, on so many levels, to be able to ride in the PMC. So, during this moment of emotional weakness (strength!) we made a promise and set a goal - We’d ride in the PMC until we were 60! I share this personal moment to add some public pressure and help keep us motivated. To help me keep motivated, I plan on dedicating each of the remaining rides of my goal to someone I lost to cancer. This year I will ride for my dad - Phil Cole.
I lost my dad to multiple myeloma. A native New Englander, he often brought a stoicism to much of what he did. I believe now that the challenges of his life dominated his ability to simply be happy. Unfortunately, when he was alive I saw only his flaws; for he had his share. I believe now that as a young man I viewed him through the prism of my life and not that of his own. That was not always fair. He instilled values in me that I carry with me today - hard work, perseverance, and integrity. With my own children nearing adulthood, and a perspective that comes with age, I try to remember that some of the good in my girls is there because of him. For that, I dedicate my 2010 PMC to my dad, Philip David Cole.
This past December, at the annual Bikers Dozen Team Holiday Dinner, we raised our glasses to toast some of the simple joys in our lives ... a nice ride, good friends, and helping the greater good. We are blessed with the chance to hop on our bikes, be with a great group, and raise money for a good cause. Unfortunately, we can never forget that those with cancer often forego even the simplest of life’s pleasures as they fight to survive. For those of you who have helped before, your support is appreciated beyond words. We hope you continue to gain from the simple pleasure of giving. For those of you new to the PMC, and the good work being done by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we hope you too can be part of winning the fight. We are, Closer by the Mile! Riding in 2009: On Day Two of the 2008 PMC, my first, it seemed like an uphill ride most of the way. As we got closer to the finish line, my body was tired but my heart grew strong. I was strengthened by knowing I was actually going to complete the 179 mile two day ride, strengthened by the honor of representing those who contributed to the cause, and strengthened by the memories of all those who I've lost to this terrible disease. When I reached the finish line it was not alone. It was as if we all crossed together.
Family and friends who met us at the finish seemed to ask me the same two questions: "How do you feel?" and "Are you going to do it again?" Without any hesitation, my answers were, "Great" and "Absolutely!"
Since that warm, sunny summer day last August, the skies have darkened. Our worlds and our livelihoods have been challenged. The real challenge is to remember that the fight against cancer is not over. Now more than ever we need to support the cause and find a cure. For those who are fighting, and we unfortunately know too many, their finish line is uphill and still miles away.
With that in mind, I'd like to humbly ask for your help in supporting the 2009 PMC. Together we can ride up those long hills in the fight against cancer. If you gave last year, I want to thank you again. If you can afford to contribute this year, it is greatly appreciated.
Your support, your strength, will take us "Closer by the Mile." Thanks, Marty
no worse feeling than seeing your child sick. If we can help prevent that from happening, that's reason enough to try.
The team I am joining this year will ride for 2 days (150 miles). These 12 friends have all been inspired and motivated to ride in the hope of finding a cure for cancer. Our team goal is to raise $65,000!
I am reaching out to you, my family and friends, to help me raise more money for aggressive cancer research. I truly appreciate any contributions made on my behalf.
To make an e-gift via credit card, you can use the link on right hand banner on this page.
To donate via check, please make it payable to PMC Jimmy Fund and mail it to c/o Marty Cole,
226 Red Hill Road,
Middletown,
NJ
07748.
Again, thank you for your support and think of me on August 2nd and 3rd. Marty
2014:
Sometimes, learning how to ride a bike is difficult. It takes time, practice, and determination. You need to learn how to keep your balance on the bike, operate the gears of the bike, and then change the gears as needed to accommodate different terrains while riding.
There is a brief YouTube clip of a four-year-old (give or take a year) boy who has recently learned how to ride a bike. In the video, the boy says, “Everybody, I know you can believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you will know how to ride a bike. If you don’t, you just keep practicing. You will get the hang of it, I know it! If you keep practicing, you will get the hang of it, and then you will get better and better at it. Thumbs up everybody, for rock ‘n roll!”
This quote from the video relates to the mission of the Pan Mass Challenge, as well as our family. As we wrote in last year’s PMC post, Daddy always expected us to do our best. One of the things that he used to say was, “Practice makes perfect.” Then, at one point, he changed his saying to “perfect practice makes perfect.” This is an important lesson, and one that is reflected in everything that Amanda, Janie, and I do.
Dad and mom expected us to be the best that we could be. They gave us a strong foundation by teaching us what we needed to know in order to be successful. Beyond that, they expected us to work as hard as we needed to in order to attain our goals in our own way. Success is not about being perfect. It is about learning to apply standards and rules in everyday practice to make it your own. And as we keep practicing, and get better and better at the things that we are passionate about, we can put our thumbs up for Rock ‘n Roll, knowing that we put our best foot, and wheel, forward.
This year, we continue to ride the hills of the Pan Mass Challenge with Daddy’s team, the Biker’s Dozen, and support the goals of the Dana Farber Institute to find a cure for cancer. We plan to keep the same fundraising goal as last year for the 2014 PMC, and ride on to conquer the hills of the Pan Mass Challenge as we get “closer by the mile.” We sincerely appreciate your continued support in honor of Daddy and the Biker’s Dozen.
~The Cole Girls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaIvk1cSyG8
After Daddy rode in his first PMC in the summer of 2008, he came home with stories about the course, especially the long hills that his team conquered during the ride. He made a point to express the feeling of commitment and pride that came when they crossed the finish line. It is with that same perseverance and honor that we continue to “conquer those hills” with his team, the Biker’s Dozen, in the fight against cancer.
Last year, we fell short of our goal, but this year, we will continue our efforts to reach a new one. We hope to surpass last year’s fundraising total of $3,917.46, and climb the hill to $7500 to support the Pan Mass Challenge and Dana Farber Institute. Every little bit helps, and we sincerely appreciate your continued support. “We are, closer by the mile!”
-Carly Cole
Daddy believed so strongly in giving back to the community. He always tried to teach us how to use what we loved, and what was important to us, to help others in need. Similarly, riding in the PMC allowed Daddy to combine his love of cycling with fundraising to support cancer research. Each year he would look forward to coming together with his team, The Biker’s Dozen, to join in the force trying to find a cure for cancer.
This year we hope to exceed last year's fundraising total of $6400 and try to reach $7500! Every little bit helps us to get closer to our goal. "We are, closer by the mile!"
It was one of those little moments that contribute to the fabric of what makes the PMC great. Last August, riding through a hilly section headed back to Wellesley, Steven and I were talking about just how great it was, on so many levels, to be able to ride in the PMC. So, during this moment of emotional weakness (strength!) we made a promise and set a goal - We’d ride in the PMC until we were 60! I share this personal moment to add some public pressure and help keep us motivated. To help me keep motivated, I plan on dedicating each of the remaining rides of my goal to someone I lost to cancer. This year I will ride for my dad - Phil Cole.
I lost my dad to multiple myeloma. A native New Englander, he often brought a stoicism to much of what he did. I believe now that the challenges of his life dominated his ability to simply be happy. Unfortunately, when he was alive I saw only his flaws; for he had his share. I believe now that as a young man I viewed him through the prism of my life and not that of his own. That was not always fair. He instilled values in me that I carry with me today - hard work, perseverance, and integrity. With my own children nearing adulthood, and a perspective that comes with age, I try to remember that some of the good in my girls is there because of him. For that, I dedicate my 2010 PMC to my dad, Philip David Cole.
This past December, at the annual Bikers Dozen Team Holiday Dinner, we raised our glasses to toast some of the simple joys in our lives ... a nice ride, good friends, and helping the greater good. We are blessed with the chance to hop on our bikes, be with a great group, and raise money for a good cause. Unfortunately, we can never forget that those with cancer often forego even the simplest of life’s pleasures as they fight to survive. For those of you who have helped before, your support is appreciated beyond words. We hope you continue to gain from the simple pleasure of giving. For those of you new to the PMC, and the good work being done by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we hope you too can be part of winning the fight. We are, Closer by the Mile! Riding in 2009: On Day Two of the 2008 PMC, my first, it seemed like an uphill ride most of the way. As we got closer to the finish line, my body was tired but my heart grew strong. I was strengthened by knowing I was actually going to complete the 179 mile two day ride, strengthened by the honor of representing those who contributed to the cause, and strengthened by the memories of all those who I've lost to this terrible disease. When I reached the finish line it was not alone. It was as if we all crossed together.
Family and friends who met us at the finish seemed to ask me the same two questions: "How do you feel?" and "Are you going to do it again?" Without any hesitation, my answers were, "Great" and "Absolutely!"
Since that warm, sunny summer day last August, the skies have darkened. Our worlds and our livelihoods have been challenged. The real challenge is to remember that the fight against cancer is not over. Now more than ever we need to support the cause and find a cure. For those who are fighting, and we unfortunately know too many, their finish line is uphill and still miles away.
With that in mind, I'd like to humbly ask for your help in supporting the 2009 PMC. Together we can ride up those long hills in the fight against cancer. If you gave last year, I want to thank you again. If you can afford to contribute this year, it is greatly appreciated.
Your support, your strength, will take us "Closer by the Mile." Thanks, Marty
no worse feeling than seeing your child sick. If we can help prevent that from happening, that's reason enough to try.
The team I am joining this year will ride for 2 days (150 miles). These 12 friends have all been inspired and motivated to ride in the hope of finding a cure for cancer. Our team goal is to raise $65,000!
I am reaching out to you, my family and friends, to help me raise more money for aggressive cancer research. I truly appreciate any contributions made on my behalf.
To make an e-gift via credit card, you can use the link on right hand banner on this page.
To donate via check, please make it payable to PMC Jimmy Fund and mail it to c/o Marty Cole,
226 Red Hill Road,
Middletown,
NJ
07748.
Again, thank you for your support and think of me on August 2nd and 3rd. Marty
| 2020 | $36.00 | PMC Fundraiser |
| 2016 | $2,950.00 | PMC Rider |
| 2015 | $6,194.50 | PMC Rider |
| 2014 | $4,861.00 | PMC Rider |
| 2013 | $5,046.00 | PMC Rider |
| 2012 | $3,917.46 | PMC Rider |
| 2011 | $6,400.00 | PMC Rider |
| 2010 | $11,942.00 | Wellesley to Wellesley (2-Day) |
| 2009 | $4,688.40 | Wellesley to Wellesley (2-Day) |
| 2008 | $6,700.00 | Wellesley to Wellesley (2-Day) |
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Marty Cole
