I had hoped to make the 2024 Pan Mass Challenge a special ride for me. I turn 60 in September and thought a good way to celebrate would be to commit to the full two day ride and, as a Team Kermit member, complete the 0 day ride with selected teammates from Newton to Sturbridge the day before Race Day on August 3. As it turned out, my niece, Kimberly, is planning to marry her fiance, Hunter, on September 7th in Maine. Well, I can't miss that, and I can't be back east for both!

Luckily, since the pandemic, the Pan Mass Organization has allowed riders to reimagine their rides. Reimagined riders are able to ride wherever, whenever and however far they so choose, with a base fundraising commitment of $2000.

As such, I have put together a Pan Mass Challenge ride this year (my 7th) that will take me from Bar Harbor to Portland Maine over the course of two days, September 5 & 6 and approxiamately 175 miles. Liam and Anna will be joining me and Ellen in Bar Harbor for a few days of pre-60th birthday celebration and sightseeing before I head out on my bike in the early morning of September 5th. Day one will take me approxiamately 85 miles to Camden. Liam, Ana and Ellen will follow me as a SAG vehicle while they explore and wind their way down the coast. We will spend the night in Camden and then I'll be off on the 6th for another 90 miles into Portland. If all goes as planned, I'll be finished and ready to celebrate at the pre-wedding party Friday night!

As always, I am honored to ride for and represent Team Kermit. Under the fearless and tireless leadership of our founder and captain, Steven Branfman, Team Kermit has raised over $6.8 million towards the Jared Branfman Sunflowers For Life Fund For Pediatric Brain And Spinal Cancer Research. I am proud of the $25,437.68 you all have contributed to my fundraising efforts over the years and I hope you will consider giving to this year's PMC and help me make it the special ride I envision! Thanks for your support.

With great love and appreciation, Tom