It’s hard to explain why the people who participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge as riders and volunteers make such a big deal of it. For my part, I make it the center of my summer activities and the almost singular goal of my cycling training efforts for the seven months before the event. [...]

Because of a nasty knee problem, I haven’t cycled much this year. Even so, I committed to ride in this year’s Pan-Mass Challenge, the largest charitable sporting event in the world and the primary fundraising activity for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For the last month, my training has been slow, but steady. [...]

The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (Pan-Mass Challenge or just PMC) is a charitable, 180 mile, 2-day bike ride across the state of Massachusetts that raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.  The ride was the first fundraising bike-a-thon in the country, starting in 1980.  Since [...]

Today I did my first ride since last October when my knee went out on me. I’ve seen three doctors about my knee problem and all three say “surgery,” although none can tell me exactly what’s wrong with it. So, eschewing Western medicine, I sought out Eastern help through acupuncture, tensiology and whatever [...]

Yesterday, I raced in the Univest Cyclosportif 100K in Souderton, PA.  While I ride in many events each year, most of them with some competitive component, this is the first true timed, competitive event that I’ve participated in.  It rained – no, actually poured, during the entire race.  Additionally, there had been [...]

On Sunday, I completed a 342 mile, 7-day bike ride across Italy.  I had two simple goals: to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund and to survive.  Thanks to the help of many caring donors, I raised $6,400 for cancer research and care this year (so far).  Since [...]

Last week, my daughter’s 31 year old high school math teacher, Carolyn Girod, was struck and killed by a car while cycling in Washington.  At the time, Girod was riding with her boyfriend on what is reported to be a fairly rural and straight stretch of road.  According to the Washington State Patrol, [...]

The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) is a charitable, 2-day bike ride across the state of Massachusetts that raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.  The ride was the first fundraising bike-a-thon in the country, starting in 1980.  Since then, over 50,000 riders and 30,000 support [...]

When I was a little kid, there was a company that produced sneakers called PF Flyers.  They advertised that they made you run faster and jump higher.  They did.  I proved it every time I got a new pair.  It’s a good thing Michael Jordan wasn’t born yet, because I would [...]