Pan Mass Challenge Touches Barnstable

The support, community, the ability to eat like a pig and bragging rights are all reasons why 27-year Barnstable resident Jeffrey Goldstein rides in the Dana Farber charity bike-a-thon the Pan Mass Challenge. But the most important reason of all is the cause. 

"It's very inspirational," Goldstein said about the event. "It hooked me line and sinker."

When asked who he is riding for Goldstein, 64, said, "I lost my sister and mother to cancer. It touches everyone in one way or shape or form."

This is the third time Goldstein is riding from Sturbridge to Provincetown - a 190 trek across Massachusetts. 

"It's a nice way to remember those things [about lost ones] and advert some tragedy," Goldstein said.

Goldstein has to raise $4,200 to ride in the race, all which is donated to the Jimmy Fund to help fund cancer related programs.

"I really like the idea of being part of a solution for cancer research and helping people who already have cancer," Goldstein said about the fundrasing aspect of the event.

How does Goldstein man through a two-day 190 mile ride? 

"It's amazing the support...the support and people along the way. It's two days of experiencing life as it should be lived. The energy is totally positive, everyone is supportive of one another. You can see 1,000 bikes extremely valuable without locks."

Patch also talked with Allen Sylvester who is riding from Wellsely to Bourne.

We asked Sylvester why he rides.

"I ride not just for the people whose lives have been claimed by cancer, but also for the people who are left behind," Sylvester said in an email. "My Uncle John passed from cancer in 2007 and watching what cancer did to him was a nightmare - seeing what his illness did to the family he left behind was a whole other nightmare. I ride because I hope my two kids don’t ever have to go through losing a loved one to cancer, and see people they love have someone taken from them before his time.

To Sylvester, like many people, getting out and raising money is an important way to get involved with the cause.

"I often see on Facebook people post on their status about praying for a cure and 93% of people won’t repost this, and all that. Those are nice sentiments, but sentiments are going to cure cancer - only money and research can do that. PMC is a great event which raises millions of dollars, which moves us closer to the goal of a world without cancer."

Barnstable's Pan Mass Riders

• Jeffrey Goldstein from Barnstable
• Allen Sylvester from West Barnstable
• Kevin Craig from Hyannis
• Richard Grandmont from Hyannis
• Bob Watson from Hyannis

About the PMC: The Pan-Mass Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon and a pioneer of the athletic fundraising industry that today raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. The organization was founded in 1980 and has since raised $303 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The PMC is a model of fundraising efficiency. ThePMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. In 2010, the PMC generated 50 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and it was Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor. More than 230,000 individual contributions were made to last year’s fundraising campaign. In 2011, PMC cyclists will ride with the goal of raising $34 million for Dana-Farber.

The Ride: The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is a fully supported bike-a-thon — with food and water stops, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transportation, and lodging — that runs through 46 towns across Massachusetts. Approximately 5,000 cyclists ride in the event. Cyclists choose from 11 routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and time availability. There are six two-day routes that range from 153 to 190 miles and five one-day rides that range from 25 to 110 miles. In 2011, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,200 to ride in the PMC, depending on the chosen route.

When: The 32nd annual PMC will be held on August 6 and 7, 2011. The ride has two starting lines on Saturday, Aug. 6, in Sturbridge and inWellesley, and five finish lines in Provincetown (2), Bourne, Wellesley or Sharon on either Saturday, Aug. 6 or Sunday, Aug. 7.