Barry Davis's
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge
to benefit the
JIMMY FUND
Barry and the Pan-Mass Challenge
The Oxford Foursome
In September 1982, these 4 friends embarked on their first PMC. Pictured
(L-R) Mike Labon.jpg)
te, Mark MacKenzie,
te, Mark MacKenzie,Mike Brown and myself.
(photo courtesy Webster Times)
WHICH WAY TO GO......
The cool dude in the hat is me, holding up a few of the arrows that riders followed that year on their way to their destinations.
It All Began For Me in 1982
My history with the PMC goes back almost as far as the PMC itself. It all began with my father picking up some bike parts at the Auburn Bike Shop for me to install on my bike before a weekend ride. Inside the bag was this brown pamphlet describing this bike ride to Cape Cod. All I had to do was raise $300 and then ride 200 miles to Provincetown. One week later and $400 sent in with my registration, I began training for this ride called the
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge.
I had never been on Cape Cod, by bike or by car, so I decided to participate. That decision was one of the best ones I had made in my short life. At that time, I was participating just for the ride. Despite a few minor problems when I arrived at Camp Clark, the Boy Scout camp in Plymouth that was turned into our over night home, the ride was both beautiful and inspiring.
I was hooked, as well as the other 245 other PMC riders in 1982. In its third year, the PMC raised $60,000. As the years moved on, so too did my involvement. In the years before the Internet, I would volunteer my time at PMC HQ to stuff envelopes to mail registration information to PMC riders. As the ridership grew, so did the night before the ride grow. Opening ceremonies became an "event" on Friday night. More elaborate presentations and celebrity speakers highlighted opening ceremonies. Soon, I began volunteering my time as a crew member for the Friday night activities. I would operate a camera that showed on a big screen.
In 1994, I produced a 30 minute documentary video that aired on New England Cable News. This video was the first video production of its kind to be shown at opening ceremonies. From then on, opening ceremonies took on the appearance of a Hollywood awards production, special guest speakers, bands. In October 1998, I approached Phil Balboni, President of NECN to produce a video for the '98 check presentation. That short meeting with Mr. Balboni was the genesis of NECN becoming the Media Sponsor of the PMC.
While employed at NECN, I produced the first of two rider safety videos. These video's that appeared on the PMC website, helped guide in-experienced riders get accustomed to riding in a large group of cyclists. In 2009, I produced the second of the two safety videos that now can be found on YouTube.
In 2005, I was recognized as 1 of 20 PMC'ers that greatly influenced the development and growth of the PMC. In a book titled - "363-2" , was published with pictures and short stories of how the individual influenced the PMC. A photograph of me in Studio Control Room 1 of NECN appeared (see photo right).
In 2008 I was asked to use my extensive PMC experience as a cyclist to take on one of a handful of jobs for the PMC weekend. Third only to the road safety crews and other staff and the waterstop staff, I became the PMC's Road Signage Coordinator. Simply put, I am in charge of three crews that put up directional arrows for the rider to follow to their various destinations. One of my crews were myself and nearly all of my immediate family: my wife and kids. Although a simple job, proper placement of these directional arrows is critical in keeping the riders on the route.
An coming in 2012, my 30th year of participation in the PMC, I am making plans to cross the United States from Seattle to Provincetown. More details will be forth coming, but this trek is 60 days in duration and over 3,500 miles in length.
In 1994, I produced a 30 minute documentary video that aired on New England Cable News. This video was the first video production of its kind to be shown at opening ceremonies. From then on, opening ceremonies took on the appearance of a Hollywood awards production, special guest speakers, bands. In October 1998, I approached Phil Balboni, President of NECN to produce a video for the '98 check presentation. That short meeting with Mr. Balboni was the genesis of NECN becoming the Media Sponsor of the PMC.
While employed at NECN, I produced the first of two rider safety videos. These video's that appeared on the PMC website, helped guide in-experienced riders get accustomed to riding in a large group of cyclists. In 2009, I produced the second of the two safety videos that now can be found on YouTube.
In 2005, I was recognized as 1 of 20 PMC'ers that greatly influenced the development and growth of the PMC. In a book titled - "363-2" , was published with pictures and short stories of how the individual influenced the PMC. A photograph of me in Studio Control Room 1 of NECN appeared (see photo right).
In 2008 I was asked to use my extensive PMC experience as a cyclist to take on one of a handful of jobs for the PMC weekend. Third only to the road safety crews and other staff and the waterstop staff, I became the PMC's Road Signage Coordinator. Simply put, I am in charge of three crews that put up directional arrows for the rider to follow to their various destinations. One of my crews were myself and nearly all of my immediate family: my wife and kids. Although a simple job, proper placement of these directional arrows is critical in keeping the riders on the route.
An coming in 2012, my 30th year of participation in the PMC, I am making plans to cross the United States from Seattle to Provincetown. More details will be forth coming, but this trek is 60 days in duration and over 3,500 miles in length.
