Growing up with her siblings in Dudley, Lizzy Gunsalus knew about the Pan Mass Challenge, but never really paid too much attention to it. But when her cherished Aunt June passed away from breast cancer last November, she and her older brother Greg decided to honor her by taking part in the 46th annual Pan Mass Challenge, the two-day 177-mile ride from Worcester to Provincetown that was held August 1 and 2.

“My aunt helped my mother raise us growing up and we were all very close,” Gunsalus said. “Everyone is touched by cancer in some way, so we wanted to honor her. And being riders we came to the conclusion to ride the PMC this year.”

Now living in Indianapolis with her sister, Gunsalus began cycling at a very young age, taking part in BMX events because of her father and brother. Today she is a professional cyclist who participates in cyclocross racing, an intense off-road bicycle sport featuring short, multi-lap circuits packed with mud, sand, steep hills, and artificial barriers that require riders to dismount and carry their bikes. Although she and her brother Greg have been riding for some time, they never took part in the PMC. 

Since its inception by Billy Starr in 1980, the PMC has contributed $1.25 billion to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the single largest contributor to Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is responsible for 67 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue.

“Being a professional cyclist I am always asked one of two questions: have you done the Tour de France or the PMC,” she said. “As a first-time rider I don’t think that I’ll have any issue; I haven’t done a lot of 100-mile rides in one day but I’m not that concerned.”

While the younger sister had no concerns about riding the PMC over the two days, she wasn’t that sure about her older brother Greg. Although three years older, he had not ridden in some six years, so Gunsalus believed that he was going to struggle more than her. However, Gunsalus was shocked that Greg felt great through those 90 miles on the first day

Having seen first-hand the care that her aunt received through Dana-Farber, Gunsalus has a personal connection and a deeper understanding of what the PMC is all about. And she and Greg were very proud to be able to participate. 

Going into the weekend ride, the duo didn’t have any real expectations; they were just looking to meet people and hear some of the stories of the other 6,000 riders.

“Oh my God, it was so amazing,” exclaimed Gunsalus. “I expected a lot of people, but hearing 6,000 riders in my mind was totally different that seeing it in person. 

“There were so many people lining the streets cheering you on,” she continued. “We met so many great people along the way and although it wasn’t the fastest 100-mile ride, it went by faster than any I had ever ridden.”

Both brother and sister were amazed by everyone they met along the route, whether riders, supporters, staff or volunteers.

“They did such an incredible job from start to end,” Gunsalus said. “Being our first year, we saw people who had been riding 7, 10, 30, 40 years – it was easy to see why. We’re going to be Pan Massers for life now. It’s a community that is always building.”

In addition to meeting a lot of people along the way and hearing so many inspiring stories about why people were riding, Gunsalus was glad that she was able to do the ride with her brother Greg.