This past weekend, I rode in my fifth Pan-Mass Challenge, a 2-day cycling event across Massachusetts benefiting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.  I was a bit apprehensive this year since I had fallen off my bike only two weeks before the ride and fractured two ribs.  As it turned out, though, the event turned out to be a huge success for the charity and for me personally.  As of August 5 the stats for the PMC were:

• 5,200 riders
• 2,758 volunteers
• 157,000 contributors
• 800,000 miles cycled
• 13 emergency room visits (with 5K riders, someone’s going to crash)
• 10,000,000 people cheering along the route (it seemed that way – the number of people who come out to support the riders is incredible)
• $21,650,000 in funds raised (the goal is $32,000,000 by October)

These numbers are great and, of course, represent real money being raised for an incredible cause.

Personally, I had a great ride as well.  My ribs bothered me a bit, but did not hinder me nearly as much as I had feared.  I finished the first day averaging 19.3MPH and the second, 19.1MPH.  These speeds are significantly up from my previous bests at these long distances set last year during the PMC - 18.3MPH and 17.3MPH, respectively.  I really don’t know what to attribute the increases to - more training, better nutrition, improved technique?  Maybe a little of all of these plus loads of luck?

I was really fortunate to latch onto a small paceline (a line of riders who take turns “pulling” in front, then drafting behind other riders) that ran unbroken for 40 miles on day 1.  That had a huge positive impact on my time.

The weather sorta sucked on day 2, but it never rained.  I also never got a flat.  Rain and flats can ruin your whole day.

Thanks to all who sponsored me with donations and to the large group who offered their support and encouragement along the way.

Related posts:

1. 2007 Pan-Mass Challenge Weekend
2. Making the Pan-Mass Challenge More Challenging
3. 2009 Pan-Mass Challenge – The Italian Job