Cyclists of the San Diego – Tijuana – Mexicali area !!! Smiths Medical Employees, Friends!!! Last year I had the privilege to ride in the Pan Massachussets Challenge, the largest fund raiser in support of anti-cancer research and treatment. Coworkers, friends, and family all contributed generously, and I went on the ride with the Smiths team. Senators, Red Sox, Bruins, and all manner of local celebreties rode as well. But it is in Boston, and I can’t go this year. Instead, I would like to organize a fund-raising ride in support. I invite you, as a cyclist, to join me. What we want to do is bring in contributions, and/or contribute money ourselves. So if you are not a cyclist you can participate by contributing, and if you are, you can ride and give. Simple! Our contributions will enter as part of the Smiths total goal. The PMC ride is about 180 miles, over two days, from mid-Massachussets to Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod. Our California ride will be two days at 100 miles +/- each day. I propose a mountain loop Saturday and a shore loop on Sunday. You don’t have to ride all the way, either. You can ride any distance you want, from 1 block to 100 miles! Your choice! Bring some money to contribute, or give it on line, and some for food and drink. This lets us come home at night and regroup for the next day. This is an entirely voluntary ride, and the financial support for this will come from you, the riders. The contributions will come from each of us and our networks of supporters. I set a low starting goal of $1,000 and already we have $285!! We can raise this goal if it is too easy. Last year, my contributors gave nearly $6500. Smiths Medical Team raised $93,000. The PMC raised $33 Million!! As for the fund raising portion, you can either contribute through my PMC site (http://www.pmc.org/profile/CR0122), or give cash or checks which I will have to manage as mail-in deposits. Please circulate this to your cyclist friends. If you can't come along for any of the rides, please contribute, or get your friends to!!!! I look forward to riding with you. See the two loops below, and a description of the rides. You can see them also at Mapmyride.com. They are named PMC Cali Day 1 and PMC West Day 2. The first day is pretty tough, with lots of climbing, and some may prefer to go out partway and back. Day 2 is pretty flat in comparison. It is not a race and we will look out for eachother. Logistics: Both days the meetup is at the J Street Marina Park in Chula Vista, CA. Bring Helmet, Health Insurance Data, ID, Food, Water, Money, Extra Tubes are minimum requirements. Rear light and rear-view mirror recommended. Organizer is not responsible for providing medical, logistical, security, or mechanical support, and riders are responsible for following rules of the road and standard courtesy.