Go Team Flames!

This weekend marked the 31st Pan Mass Challenge. The PMC, if you have been living under a rock for the past few years, is a 190 mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown that raises TONS of money for cancer research. This year Richard (pictured in the middle), his daughter Erica and his niece Amy, all joined "The Flames" team and set about their fund-raising mission. Not to mention the training. Grueling 70 mile bike rides all summer long. Oh, and those bike rides are usually at five in the morning. Because you see, these rides are not typical 1/2 hour rides, they take HOURS!

Then there is the fund-raising. Asking people for money. Fun, right? Not the easiest thing to do. Each rider is expected to raise $4200. We've all been there; walked or ran in a charity road race, had to raise $250. Had to ask our friends and families to pony up $20 here, $25 there. Nope. $4200 is what their goal was...each!

So, did they all make it? You betcha'! "Rich, Erica and Amy all had a great ride," says the Queen Bee herself, who was in Provincetown volunteering for the PMC. She said it was an amazing experience. I'm sure it was, and so much more.

This weekend the weather was beautiful. On both Saturday and Sunday I kept turning on NECN to see coverage of the PMC. They had story after story of individuals and families who have been affected directly by cancer. Yep, the water works were going all weekend long for me. I thought about my own friends who have battled cancer. But mostly I was inspired by what these riders commit themselves to. How their riding helps SO many people now and will in the future. So my hat goes off to all those who rode or volunteered this weekend. You all deserve a big hug. Oh, and a donation!