Hi all! For those of you that don’t know, the PMC is an annual 100+ mile bike-a-thon that raises money for life saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC has raised more money for this cause than any other event in the country — $831 million since inception.
I am riding once again with Team NextGen, which has now grown from 15 to ~100 people!!! This is my 15th year riding, so a particularly special milestone :)
I know many of us are touched by cancer. Carrying out research and treating immunocompromised cancer patients at Dana Farber has never been more important. As many of you know, the Farber is particularly meaningful to my family, as my incredibly strong and inspiring mother continues her battle with multiple myeolma and breast cancer.
I believe that the most efficient way I can support world-class researchers drive toward a cure is by supporting their work. I hope you will help me make progress toward this goal. Every single dollar will help.
Please consider sponsoring my PMC ride! Thank you! Including my recap of last years ride if you’d like to re-live the fun / get a preview for what this year will be like… promise to train this time!!
Beat Cancer!
-Mads
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Friends, Family, and Cancer Haters Worldwide:
Another Pan Mass Challenge is behind us! Thank you thank you thank you for supporting my ride! I am happy to report that I did survive my "Reimagined Ride" in SF on Sunday.
It’s an incredibly moving and exciting weekend. It’s because of people like you that ground-breaking work at Dana Farber is made possible, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your support.
Sending out a #RoadsideRecap for those who would like the play by play, and the link for those that would like to learn more. Fundraising window is open until October!!!
Thank you again -- excited to continue to do you proud in our quest for a cure! See you out there next year!
-Mads
PMC 2024 -- Roadside Recap:
The Ride
Because two of my best friends (shoutout Sara + Toni!) were getting married this weekend, this year, a small group of us tried something new: a reimagined PMC ride in beautiful SF! About 10 of us built hype, ordered our epic hot pink Team NextGen jerseys, and set out to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and up Mt. Tam on Sunday morning.
The Chaotic Beginning
We agreed to meet at 8am in Presidio. Sahir made us delicious banana smoothies. This was going to be GOOD! However, the second we set out to ride, I quickly realized my bike shoes had the wrong cleats. We also realized fellow rider Connor had no helmet. After a few minutes of panic and some frantic phone calls to nearby bike shops, a random savior named Andy opened up early, gave us the tools we needed, and we were back on the road.
The First 30: Paradise
I thought life was good. The temp was gorg. The views were gorg. We were on a bike path for most of the way bobbing and weaving through Sausilito. It was almost as if the fact that I haven't been on a bike in a year didn't matter. We stopped at a coffee shop and made some great jokes. We stopped at friend Nina and Alon's house in Mill Valley for snacks and amazing views. The team was really gelling -- sharing all of the fan favorite biking snacks along the way ranging from energy blocks to gu packets, and blasting great beats from Sahir's speaker. We rode with smiles on our faces thinking "my god -- this is the best idea ever."
The Next 30: The Gates of Hell
Quickly smiles faded when Sahir started blasting "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus, queuing in the next section of the ride, a steep uphill climb for miles on end. At this moment, it became extremely clear that this was a nightmare if you're me. The PMC is pretty flat, you can go at your own pace, you can draft off strangers, and you have friends along the way. Now, here I was, about 30 mins behind the group, clearly the weakest link, actually opting in to a ride with some of the most intense bikers I know, alone in the beating sun... everyone had lied about their biking abilities. Exhibit A: Laura, who had previously said "oh I'll definitely be in the back with you" was actually leading the biker pack and didn't even have clip ins!!!
Hill Tea
After about 5 of these uphill miles, Lily and I started a segment called "Hill Tea" where you walk up the hill with your bike and share whatever gossip you can think of. About 5 mins into this segment, I was out of breath and already behind Lily. Instead of sharing any gossip I just yelled "LILY I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE" and basically walked in silence for another 4-5 miles uphill. At this point it was around 2pm and we still had another 20 or so to go.
A Family Adoption
I basically blacked out for the next hour or two. I was deep in the mountains dreaming of even the smallest downhill to get my mojo back. I even considered calling myself an uber but realized I had no service. Low and behold: a family of angels emerged from the side of the road. I wandered over to the group and explained my situation. They asked "how much gas do you have left" to which I replied "not much." At this point they helped me map a route downhill to catch the group after their lunch stop. The climb had officially come to a close. The family cheered me on as I u-turned, getting back down in 30 minutes what I had just climbed for what felt like 10 hours.
The Reunion
After my glorious and moral building solo ride back to Sausilito, the finish line, I showered up at Julia and Carson's house, took about 900 advil, and checked in for my red-eye flight in just a few hours. I took my position at a bar on the water waiting for the rest of the group to finish up the big climb. A delicious diet coke and beer in hand, I began stressing about my plan to get in better shape for next year as I took in the amazing views.
.... and just like that! Another PMC in the BOOKS! Ready for next year's crazy adventure... and get ready because I'm recruiting you to join!
Thank you again for your support!!
<3 <3 <3
