Pan-Mass Challenge

[mainerider]

My husband & I arrived home about 6 pm last night from P-Town (nickname for Provincetown Massachusetts). We were both pretty tired. My husband volunteers both days so he is on his feet all day filling water bottles for all the riders.

It was a good weekend. Friday afternoon started out like most PMCs I've done with thunderstorms. We were driving to Sturbridge, got to about Worcester, when the thunderstorms rolled through. They had stopped by the time we got to our hotel to check in. However driving over to the Host Hotel in Sturbridge a MAJOR storm came through and we had to pull over and wait it out. By the time we arrived at the Host Hotel part of the parking lot was flooded, about 12 inches and people were out playing in the water!

Fortunately the weather cleared and we had a great start on Saturday morning. Overall I found the weather a little too sunny and a little too warm for me personally though the weather was a great improvement over Friday's humidity. About mile 70 my stomach started rebelling from gatorade and melon and too much sun despite new applications of sunscreen at every water stop. But the cheering crowds along the way kept me moving. Also talking with riders about why they participate.

Saturday afternoon they took the Living Proof photo that is attached. In previous years they have taken separate photos at the Sturbridge and Wellesley starts but this year they took one photo of all cancer survivors (riders and those volunteering at Bourne) and gave us t-shirts. I think it is a pretty impressive group!

Sunday we left about 5:30 am as did everyone else I think. We had a beautiful sunrise as we were riding along the Cape Cod Canal. One of the highlights on Sunday is the camp just before Nickerson State Park. All the kids attending camp (at least a couple of hundred if not more) are out to cheer us on. The best highlight of course is coming up to the finish line.

Well guess I've rambled on. Thanks for reading though.

Maureen

[DeniseGoldberg]

Jean & Maureen -
Congrats to both of you on your successful rides! I'm so glad that you had good weather too, once you got past the crazy Friday night storms. At least you weren't riding (or camping) in that rain.

--- Denise

[mainerider]

Registration opened today for alumni riders for the 2006 Pan Massachusetts Challenge (Aug 5-6). Additional routes have been added, minimum fundraising for the 2-day Sturbridge/Provincetown route is $3300 and you now have to commit to the fundraising if you sign up for the Provincetown finish. The new routes and rules are geared towards the goal of raising $24 million dollars this year for cancer research.

This will be my 8th year riding the event and well worth the effort of fundraising and training.

Maureen

[newfsmith]

This year I was able to get onto the 2 day ride, maybe we will meet in Sturbridge. If at all possible, this year I am planning to start my ride a day early, leaving from West Stockbridge, MA. I expect to be the last person arriving in Provincetown!

[mainerider]

Jean - let's make plans to meet in Sturbridge either Friday pm for dinner/opening ceremony and/or Sat am. How far is West Stockbridge to Sturbridge?

[newfsmith]

I haven't picked a final route yet, but it is 80 miles, give or take 15. Friday night would probably be easier, the start is so mobbed. Let's plan on meeting.