Killington local rides in gravel bike-a-thon for cancer research

 Killington local Robby Joyce rode in the Pan-Mass Challenge’s (PMC) PMC Unpaved event this past weekend, a gravel bike-a-thon to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber) in Boston.

 Joyce’s  journey with the PMC began in 2019 when the father of his close friend, Paul, was diagnosed with cancer. 

After the diagnosis, Joyce and Paul were determined to find a way to make an impact and decided to raise funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber. Unfortunately, Paul’s father lost his battle soon after—which deepened the pair’s connection to the cause. 

In 2022, when the PMC unveiled the inaugural Unpaved event,Joyce and Paul ventured into the world of gravel cycling for the first time and haven’t looked back. Vermont’s captivating gravel scene and the challenging terrain has become Joyce’s sanctuary in training for the upcoming ride, and the pair hope to make PMC Unpaved a tradition they will participate in for years to come. 

PMC Unpaved took place on Saturday, Sept. 23, and brought together hundreds of new and existing PMC riders to Massachusetts’ scenic Berkshires at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac in Lenox. 

Every dollar raised through PMC Unpaved 2023 will contribute to the PMC’s record-breaking $70 million fundraising goal for the institute this year.