UPDATE: I am officially signed up for the 2012 Pan-Mass Challenge: to sponsor my ride (and make these graphs prettier next year), please go to http://bit.ly/pmcdoug to donate. Thanks!

Last year, after riding in my third Pan-Mass Challenge (an annual two-day bicycle ride/cancer fundraiser), I thought I had enough of a track record to look at fundraising trends. In that post, I saw the rise in overall fundraising, number of sponsors and average donation amount as the progression of an improving fundraising effort and the expanding reach of my social networks. This year, the numbers were different but still interesting. First, the fundraising total shrank for the first time:

While an organization may see this as alarming, I should add that I once again surpassed my goal; after 2010′s success, I upped my goal from the minimum ($4,200) to the “Heavy Hitter” line ($6,300), and actually had little problem making that mark. I see the $9,000-plus total from 2010 as somewhat of an aberration– not in success, but in the amount of it, as several one-time sponsors donated late last year in memory of my father-in-law’s passing (the family had actually steered people to the PMC in the obituary, a fitting tribute). Despite the “one-time” donations in 2010, I still saw a sharp increase in sponsors from 2010 to 2011, the most encouraging number in the bunch. The message of the PMC’s cancer-fighting cause continues to spread:

Repeat sponsors was a bit of a mix, but again no surprise: more “repeats” donated this year, with the falloff in percentage a factor of the ever-growing total number of sponsors. I can probably do more to keep current donors involved and perhaps get the repeats up over the 50% next year.

The average donation fell off, close to 2009 levels. The major reason for this was that several of my “corporate” donors, people representing organizations that generally donated in the $500 range, did not repeat this year. The median donation was still $50, meaning that individual donors were not giving less, as this number might indicate and for the short-term that will continue, I suspect. So, the drop in average donation is not so alarming, though if I were a non-profit organization I would be concerned about the corporate sponsor drop-offs (and would certainly welcome them back, hint-hint).

Putting the numbers in perspective: I am happier with the increase in people sponsoring than I am disappointed at the lower dollar amounts. If I were an organization I would have some concern about the dropoff in larger “corporate” donors, but as those have been outliers in my case rather than the primary targets I cannot be totally surprised.

For 2012? I will target getting more repeat donors while continuing to increase my base of generous sponsors as well as my overall fundraising target. I hope the look at numbers does not make my PMC fundraising seem too clinical- as I sincerely appreciate each and every sponsor, as well as others who support me in various ways.  On to 2012!

Two short weeks ago, I finished my fourth Pan-Mass Challenge. As always it is a great, well-run event, a 2-day ride to Provincetown to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (you can still sponsor my ride here: http://bit.ly/2011pmc).

What was special about this year?

• The last year was a tough one for cancer in our families. Last September my father-in-law, John Perkins, passed away from cancer, and then on May 14, I lost my own father. I always held the PMC cause dear, but this year it was more than just a bike ride.
• Sponsors were as generous as ever, having donated more than $7,500 (so far) in support of my ride. More impressive, I had a record number of  sponsors this year, which means even more than the amount.
• I tried something different this year; I took on a “shirt sponsor,” Helmtops. They sent me this great jersey that I wore on Day 2, and along the route I stopped on occasion to hand out some helmtops (decorations for children’s helmets) when I saw a kid with a bike cheering us on. Special thanks to all sponsors, but I wanted to single out Helmtops out for making this effort, on top of their ongoing support of the many children’s PMC rides.

• More photos on Flickr:

• I also took video, as usual. This year I used a Contour HD Camera, which I found easier to use than the Flip and Kodak cameras I employed in previous years. In fact, the reason this post is two weeks after the event is that I wanted to find the time to edit down this tribute to the wonderful people who come out to cheer the riders all along the route- even on the Bourne Bridge at 5:30 am.

• In all, what a great event! We even managed to avoid the rain on Cape Cod on Day 2 (well, while we were riding at least). It’s great to have the long ride behind me, but the fight against cancer continues; if you have yet to sponsor my ride, we are collecting donations through October 1 at http://bit.ly/2011pmc- and again, Thank You!

Thanks to you, I have reached my initial fundraising goal of $6,400- five weeks before the Pan-Mass Challenge! The generosity from sponsors, both returning friends and new ones, has been amazing. I thought I would get a screen capture of the gauge from my fundraising page. It is a great feeling to see that full!

Making the goal designates me as a “Heavy Hitter” PMC rider- in fact, that’s all the number means, so if you have yet to sponsor my ride, please feel free to do so at http://bit.ly/2011pmc.

100% of every dollar riders raise goes to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in boston,m a remarkable organization dedicated to cancer treatment and research for a cure.

Now what? Well, I still have riding to do to prepare for the Pan-Mass Challenge on August 6-7. In order to go 170 miles in 2 days (the approximate distance I will ride on my route), I still have to keep up on training. I have been keeping a training diary, and while I have biked fewer total miles compared to this point last year, I have done many more long rides (40+ miles). It will be interesting to see how this affects my preparation, but I feel that I am on track.

Meantime, I have been experimenting with a new camera for the bike: the Contour HD. It seems to have a wider angle and better video quality than the Kodak Playsport I had been using- and the dedicated handlebar mount allows for easier swiveling to take in the sights. Audio is still an issue, as the bike simply makes too much rattling noise, but as you will hear in the video  the use of music is a nice alternative.

Here is my first published ride using the Contour, from a recent ride with my Sunday group:

Again, thank yo to all who support my ride, in any way that you do.

Music in video:
“Stay” by Paulina Logan:

“Slim Slow Ride” by As Cobras Malditas

It has been a while since I have blogged about my Pan-Mass Challenge efforts, but that has not been for lack of activity. It’s hard to believe it, but the PMC is less than two months away (August 6-7), and I am starting to feel a sense of urgency about training. The good news is I am on pace with last year’s training in terms of miles (I keep track using Evernote, and haven’t dived in yet to Android apps like MapMyRide or Runkeeper- perhaps I need a  push).

Weekday rides have started picking up steam, I have gotten back to good weekend rides since taking some time off to help  tend to my father’s illness and funeral, and I feel very strong in the saddle. As long as I continue to put in miles and get in a few longer (50+ miles) rides, I think I’ll be fine.

More important has been the fundraising. The outpouring of support since my father died of pancreatic cancer has been amazing, and I am well ahead of schedule compared to last year. However, I am still nearly $2,000 short of my goal, and need your help. If you can, please support my ride at http://bit.ly/2011pmc. If you can’t please spread the word to others who might be moved by the cause of beating cancer. As ever, 100% of funds raised goes to support the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

I leave you with a video mix of a couple of recent rides. I have been having trouble with the audio on my Kodak PlaySport, which seems to vibrate on the bike handlebars- my solution has been to find some music to play, and I think this piece does nicely (it’s “The Aftermath Never Adds Up” by Leaving Richmond). In future videos I will be experimenting with a ContourHD camera. I’ll be certain to let you know how that goes.

As always, thank you for supporting my ride against cancer, whether through money, words, or thoughts.

As I do every year, I took some rider’s eye video of my Pan-Mass Challenge ride, and include my excerpts below.

Day 1 took me from Newton, MA to the Wellesley start, and down to the Mass Maritime Academy at Bourne. Day 2 took us from Bourne, MA (and a little spill on the Bourne Bridge) all the way around Cape Cod to the finish at Provincetown. .

This is my third PMC and the scope, organization and meaning of the event still strike me. More than 5,000 people cycling against cancer (and yes, keeping ourselves in good health to boot), along with 3,000+ volunteers makes for something rare– a once-on-a-lifetime experience that we can have every year!

The PMC was especially meaningful this year in ways that I have not publicized- let’s just say everybody knows someone who has been touched by cancer, and the closer we come to better treatments and cures, the better for all of us.

If you would like to sponsor my ride, the page is still open! Please go to http://bit.ly/PMC2010.

A huge thank you, to those who have supported me and those who will.

Doug

Pan-Mass Challenge 2010: Day 1 from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

Pan-Mass Challenge 2010: Day 2 from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

Yesterday (Aug 8), I finished my third Pan-Mass Challenge, riding 170 miles in 2 days, and raising money (thanks to many of you) to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

This event means a lot to me, not only because I love cycling and it was a great way to get to a higher level of riding, but because the event benefits a cause that has (unfortunately) become very meaningful to me and many of you who support me- the fight against cancer- and I feel it is making a difference.

This year, I was able to come close to “Heavy Hitter” level in fundraising- $6,300, thanks to many of you being so generous. I’m only $200 away, and the site to sponsor me is at http://bit.ly/PMC2010 if you would like to help.

As for the ride itself, I felt good and the riding was good, though I was tired and sore after- more so than last year. The route is beautiful, as always, and I will have some video edited down in the near future. For now, I have some photos (I promised myself I would take a few more this year):

I also have a couple of raw pieces of video. The first, from my first ever fall/crash- a low-speed oopsy on the Bourne Bridge Sunday morning (no cyclists were harmed in the filming of this video):

Pan-Mass Challenge; Bourne Bridge Fall from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

…and a rider’s POV of the finish line at the Provincetown Inn.

Pan-Mass Challenge: Provincetown Finish 2010 from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

Again, thanks to everyone for supporting me. I definitely want to go for my 4th PMC next year!

The Pan-Mass Challenge takes place in about one week- August 7-8, to be exact, and I am ready (I think)! By the time next Friday rolls, I will have amassed 1,000 training miles and my bike is (had better be) in game condition (update– I need a new shifter now, too! Awesome!).

Most importantly, fundraising has gone very well so far this year. Thanks to a number of you generous folks, we have raised nearly $4,400 in sponsorships for my ride alone, and every cent of that goes to help fight cancer.

No, we are not done yet. Another $1,900 gets us to the new goal of $6,300. Can we do it? That’s a lot in a week, but I am asking your help:

• If you have not sponsored my ride yet, please consider doing so at http://bit.ly/PMC2010. 40 people giving $50 each will make the goal (ok, 80 people at $25 each- but any amount is welcome!)
• Pass the link to friends: Use Twitter, Facebook, email, or your favorite message service or social network– a quick message to friends, if you feel comfortable doing so, will help tremendously. Again, the link: http://bit.ly/PMC2010.
• Wish me luck! I will be posting here, as well as at Twitter (http://twitter.com/DougH) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/doughaslam) during the ride with updates, photos and goings-on. I will also be taking more ride videos, as I have done the last two years, to post here later.

Remember- 100% of the funds I raise goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. No administrative fees, no corporate salaries, nothing gets skimmed. The PMC is trying to raise a total of $31 million, and every donation helps.

Thank you!

Until the ride begins, one more training video. I used a Kodak PlaySport mounted on the handlebars this time (thanks for tip Steve Garfield), and thought it came out nicely.

Pan-Mass Challenge: 07-24-10 training ride from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

Music Credits:

Broken Dove: “Move On”

Lightning Jeff: “Wicked Twisted Toad”

An overdue Pan-Mass Challenge update.

First off, thanks to many of you, I have met my minimum fundraising requirement ($4,200) for the ride in record time! With a full four weeks to go from last weekend, I think it’s worth sticking with and see if I can hit “Heavy Hitter” status; $6,300. There is time, and I think we can do it!

“Heavy Hitter” status has a little bit of prestige to it, but what it really means is an extra $2,000+ to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of the funds I raise with you goes straight through to the DFCI, which to me is one of the best parts of this whole venture.

So, let’s do it! If you have not sponsored my ride yet, please consider doing so at http://bit.ly/PMC2010. Thank you!

As for riding; we had been increasing our speeds on training rides lately, so we had a new challenge; average 19 mph for a short ride. We hadn’t come close before, but with a little push at the end, we (for this ride, my friend Ed and I) did it! some of the keys (aside from being in shape) were to draft each other (ride close behind in single file) to save energy, and then just give those little extra pushes along the way for a stronger ride. There are still four weeks to go  but I’m feeling close to ready.

This video captures a few highlights along the way (and a bonus “double rainbow” reference).

Pan-Mass Challenge- Speed Challenge from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

Pn-Mass Challenge preparations are coming along nicely– first off, fundraising, has passed the $3,000 mark, thanks to many of you. I have only $1,200 left to meet my initial goal. You can help beat cancer by sponsoring my PMC ride at bit.ly/PMC2010 (and by telling your friends).

Training update: we finally stretched things to 50 miles! A bunch of us at various stages of training- one who does 100 mile rides year-round, another who was joining us for the first time, and the rest of us in-between- rode together for a 54.5 mile ride through several Massachusetts towns: Newton, Wellesley, Wayland, Natick, Framingham, Sudbury, Lincoln, Concord and Weston.

Some nice scenery and good paceline riding made for a great ride. Almost ready for the Big One August 7-8!

Pan-Mass Challenge Training: 50-Miler from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

Again, you can help by sponsoring my ride at http://bit.ly/PMC2010. All money raised goes directly to the Dan Farber Cancer Institute.

Thank you!

What a weekend– I got out 3 of 4 days, ending with our first 40-mile ride of the training season, and I really feel like we’re snapping into shape as we train for the Pan-Mass Challenge.

Fundraising, as I mentioned in my last post, is going well, but we are still only 60% of the way to my personal $4,200 goal. If you would like to help beat cancer by sponsoring my ride, please go to: http://bit.ly/PMC2010.  Thank you!

The video from Memorial Day is a little different, as I tried out a music soundtrack while working out the other audio problems associated with my new Kodak Zi8 camera. It adds a different dimension, which I think I like. Further experimentation will follow.

Pan-Mass Challenge: First 40-miler from Doug Haslam on Vimeo.

If you get the impression I started thinking 40 miles is a real accomplishment; the fellow I passed near the end of the video told me later he was 56 miles into a 70 mile trip, with a 6-mile run scheduled later. He’s a triathlete. I’m just some guy on a bike, having a great time.