I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure and providing patient care. After a 5 year hiatus, please consider supporting my 10th year of 200 miles! Below is my full personal story on why I started riding, why I'll ride this year and who I ride for. I'd love to share it with you. I know cancer touches all of us and I want you all to know that I am riding with and for you and your loved ones, those fighting and those passed fighters. If you are willing to share your story back, I will write their names down on my legs and on the banners that wave above us as we finish the course to honor their fights. We are truly all in this together.

This year is for Juliet.

Here's my full letter in case you have the time:

This year on August 6th and 7th, after a 4-year hiatus, I rode my 10th, 2-day, 200-mile (9,200 ft. of elevation) Pan Mass Challenge. It was fricken beautiful. The PMC is leading the charge to beat cancer. The ride raises more money for charity than any other single athletic event in the country, contributing over half a billion dollars since 1980. 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure and improving patient care.

This ride means so much to me. I began riding in high school on Team Big Jon, named after the father of one of my close friends growing up who we lost to cancer at 44. My uncle died of cancer; and both my grandmothers Esther and Sonia died of cancer. I ride always with Sam Grad in mind, a counselor at the camp at which I worked for years, who was an incredible friend and leader. Our community lost him when he was 22. I ride for Oscar Rodriguez the brother of our very close Emily Rodriquez. I ride for Brad Northrup, former Team Big Jon rider and incredible dad to my brother and fellow Team Big Jon rider, Eli. Our team also rides with our dear pedal partner Sean in mind who passed away last year after a brave fight at the age of 8. I ride for Arthur Markus, my sudoku-playing and vaccine-giving extraordinaire.

These last 10 months, I watched my dear friend at 28 be asked to support their mom through diagnosis and treatment and their partner through follow-up appointments and hopeful remission. All of them showed remarkable strength, joy, and love. My dear friend's electric grandpa, Richard Bornstein, lost his fight as his cancer was so rare that his family was unable to turn to any successful treatment options.

My ride this year though, was dedicated to Juliet Rodeman, who is currently fighting cancer. She is the absolutely amazing mother of my sister-in-law and a friend to everyone. Her warmth, humor, and poetry make anyone feel close to her. Her fight against cancer this year intersects with her fight against Alzheimer's. It has made treatment options minimal and the impact of treatment unknown. It has also made navigating care more challenging. This reminds us all that cancer doesn't stand alone against life, it intersects with it and challenges what is already challenging. This year, Juliet drove me to the finish line.

I ride for the parents, aunts, uncles, children, and friends that friends of mine have lost. I ride for every kid fighting at the Jimmy Fund who greets us at the 4th rest stop and everyone holding a thank you sign along the road. Seven of my good friends growing up lost their parents to cancer. Every rider and volunteer in this inspiring event has a personal connection to cancer. It is that shared bond that makes the hours on the roads and the entire weekend as special as it is. On an inspiring note, this year one of our teammates who is now in remission was able to ride again for the first time since 2012!

You all help make it possible. Cancer has touched each one of our lives, and I appreciate any support you can send my way from $1-20. I'm trying to fundraise with tiny donations, so if you can, please consider clicking here to make a donation.

I want to honor the fight of your loved ones and carry them with me into this year.

With all the love,

Srob