The Biggest Ride in Massachusetts

I have been on a camel in Morocco, a gondola in Venice, and once — against Mark's strong advice — a scooter in Hanoi traffic. I have never ridden a bicycle 100 miles in a single day. After learning what's happening this weekend about twenty minutes from the clubhouse, I have a newfound respect for the people who are about to.

What's Happening

This weekend, the Pan-Mass Challenge — the single most successful athletic fundraiser in the country — will do something it has never done before: start in Worcester.

For 45 years, the PMC's flagship ride began in Sturbridge. This year, the starting line moves to the College of the Holy Cross, and on Saturday morning at 6 a.m., thousands of cyclists will roll out from there, headed for Bourne and, for many, all the way to Provincetown. More than 6,800 riders and 3,500 volunteers are expected to take part, riding to raise money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Every dollar riders raise — 100 percent of it — goes directly to Dana-Farber. Last year's ride raised $75 million.

Here's the part that made me sit up: the new route's first water stop is in Mendon. Which means, for the very first time, one of the largest charity rides in the country will pass directly through our own corner of the Blackstone Valley.

A Little History Worth Knowing

The move to Worcester isn't just about space, although Holy Cross's 174 acres certainly help. It's also a nod to the city's cycling roots — Worcester was home to Marshall "Major" Taylor, known as the "Worcester Whirlwind," who became the world's first Black cycling world champion around the turn of the 20th century. A ride built on endurance and grit is about to start in the city that produced one of the sport's true pioneers.

Why This Matters Beyond the Ride Itself

I'll be honest — I didn't know any of this a week ago. I knew the PMC existed the way most people around here do: as a name that means road closures every August. What I didn't appreciate was the scale of it, or the fact that its entire business model is "every rider-raised dollar goes to research," full stop. No overhead skimmed off the top. Just people about to ride their bikes a very long way because someone they love needed Dana-Farber, or because they want to make sure fewer people will.

That's the kind of thing worth knowing about your own backyard, even before a single wheel turns.

Closer to Home

If you're out on the roads this weekend and find yourself waiting at a crossing for a wave of cyclists in matching jerseys, now you'll know why — and what it's actually for. And if the whole thing has you inspired to get outside and put in some miles of your own, even on two feet instead of two wheels, the course is always a good place to start.

Are you planning to catch any of the PMC riders passing through this weekend, or do you know someone who's riding? Tell us about it in the comments — we'd love to hear who you're riding (or cheering) for. 👇

Looking for Something Extraordinary? 🌺

Break out the Hawaiian shirt — our next culinary tour, Polynesian Night, lands at Shining Rock on Aug 22. Feast on an island-inspired buffet (think spare ribs, salt & pepper shrimp, and General Tso's chicken) paired with tiki drinks like our Pineapple Mai Tai and Macadamia Chi Chi. No passport required — just an appetite. Learn More & Buy Tickets...

Book a Tee Time at Shining Rock

Whatever brought you here today, the course is in fantastic shape right now. Soak up the summer sun and book your tee time this week — the fairways are calling.