Thousands of Bikers to Ride Through Sharon for Charity

By Paige McAtee

A huge mass of bikers will be riding across Massachusetts in the 35th Annual Pan-Mass Challenge, and will be passing through Sharon on Sunday, Aug. 3.

Starting at 7:30 a.m., bikers will come to Massachusetts in order pedal long distance for a good cause. Participants will bike through 46 towns across the state, including Sharon, to raise a goal of $40 million for the Jimmy Fund. Last year Pan-Mass raised a record breaking $39 million.

This charity will provide resources for Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers in order to find treatments and cures for all types of cancer.

The Pan-Mass Challenge says it is the “largest single athletic charity event in the country”. It isn’t a race. It isn’t timed and there is no winner. It is simply a charity event. Many participants ride with teams, and riders with all different types of skill sets and experience participate, according to Pan-Mass Challenge Director of Marketing, Bill Alfano.

“People line the streets, some bring bagpipes, some bring water and chairs,” said Aflano.

Many spectators make sure to motivate all of the riders and thank them for their charity, according to Alfano. “There are a lot of signs rooting for the riders,” he said. “It’s a celebration.”

Alfano suggests spectators to be cautious, since there will be between 5,700 and 5,800 riders on the road.

Bikers will pass through South Main Street in Sharon, down to Moose Hill Street and continue toward High Plain Street between 7:40 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., said Alfano.

There are various routes to accommodate those who may wish to ride for only one day, or for a shorter distance. These bike routes can be found on the Pan-Mass Challenge website.

In the Wellesley Sunday Loop, Alfano estimates that bikers will pass through South Main Street, to Moose Hill Street in Sharon, and all the way toward High Plain Street between 8:40 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.