Avid and casual cyclists alike will unite for a good cause once again Sept. 15, when the seventh annual Pedaling for Payson event kicks off at Elm Brook Park in Hopkinton. All funds raised go to the Gene Gillis Fund at the Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care.
There's a 70-mile course for the hardcore rider, as well as 56-, 32- and 16-mile options, the latter of which is designed for “the average or beginning rider,” according to Jessica Bailey from the Office of Philanthropy at Concord Hospital.
No matter the course, though, the overall experience is equally rewarding, especially given that the post-ride celebration includes a barbecue and celebration.
“It's a fun, enjoyable day. The ride is beautiful, and we're always told it's well-organized and smooth,” Bailey said. “People can come back from their long ride and relax and eat and have a couple of drinks.”
The Gene Gillis Fund was established to provide support to cancer patients for out-of-pocket needs unrelated to treatment, such as gas cards for traveling to and from the center or gift certificates to grocery stores for food and dietary supplements.
“It's a great fund. It was established because the person who established it wanted to do it in memory of her father, who always said, 'It's the little things in life that make a difference,' so the tag line has been 'making a difference every day.' You don't think about it, but in the long scheme of things, things like gas cards have been tremendous help. We have people who travel 100 miles round-trip four times a week to get here.”
Riders can either pay the entry fee of $100 or, as is much more common, raise the money through sponsorships, a quest made easier through software the hospital uses, as donations can be made online. Riders are encouraged to continue raising money beyond $100, and most do. The leading fundraiser this year is already at $4,085, with a goal of $5,000.
The event is the main fundraiser for the Gene Gillis fund. Last year, a little more than $100,000 was raised, marking the most successful year yet, and though participation in the race hasn't grown as quickly as the hospital would like, donations have.
“I think the rate it's grown at monetarily has been over our expectations,” Bailey said.
The rides are mapped out by a committee of experienced cyclists and measured by automobile to ensure accuracy. The 70-mile course is a scenic journey through several towns, including Warner, Newbury, Sutton and Webster. All of the courses end back at Elm Brook Park.
The 70-mile ride begins at 7 a.m., with the others staggered thereafter. People begin trickling in from the long ride around noon or 1 p.m., Bailey said, and the celebration continues thereafter with food, drinks, massage tables and live entertainment.
“It's always fun to see it come together, and the fun part is really our committee,” Bailey said, referencing a roughly 20-member group of volunteers. “They are doers, and they work hard. They are out there a week before the event marking the roads with road paint, putting up road signs and caution signs, at the park putting tents up. They are very hands-on doers, and they are a huge part of the event and why it runs so smoothly.”
