This year, my ride is deeply personal.

I’ll be riding in memory of two of the strongest women I’ve ever known—both of whom we lost this year. The first is my mother, whose love, strength, and guidance shaped me into the person I am today. The second is Diane Legg, our fearless Team LungStrong captain and dear friend, whose determination in her battle with lung cancer inspired everyone around her. They each fought their battles with courage and grace, and their impact on my life runs deep. This year, I ride to honor them both.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 12 years since Joy and I first decided to join the Pan-Mass Challenge. What started as a way to support Diane has become a defining part of our lives. When I tell people I ride 160 miles—from Wellesley to Provincetown—they usually assume I mean a motorcycle. Then I tell them it’s a bicycle and most people laugh and say, “Really?” I just smile and tell them, “Gravity’s my friend—especially on the downhills.”

This year is extra special because I won’t be riding alone. For the first time, all of our kids—Kelly, Niall, and Shea—will be riding alongside me. And Joy, as always, will be our rock, driving the support vehicle for Team LungStrong and making sure every rider makes it in safe. The DiFazio family will be out in full force, doing our part to fight cancer.

When I started riding, it was for Diane. Over time, that list has grown—to include my mom, my uncle, and friends I’ve lost along the way. Some are still fighting. Some are not. And it’s for all of them—and for everyone still in the fight—that we ride.

The PMC isn’t just a bike ride. It’s a movement. One that makes real, tangible progress in the battle against cancer. I still believe—wholeheartedly—that we are the generation that will see a cure. But we can’t get there without raising the funds, without showing up, without pushing forward.

That’s why I ride. That’s why we ride.