FAQs

2024 PMC Unpaved rider registration will open spring 2024! 2023 Summit Fundraisers (those who raised $4,000 or more) can register April 2, alumni can register April 4, and the general public can register April 9.

Register at secure.unpaved.org/ride.

Yes, you can use the same PMC ID and log in information for the Pan-Mass Challenge, PMC Unpaved, and PMC Winter Cycle.

Click here to log into your PMC Unpaved account.

When they register, riders must commit to a fundraising minimum ($1,500 in 2024), 100 percent of which will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Riders must be 15 years old by the event date (September 28, 2024).

There is a 30-mile and a 50-mile route for the 2024 PMC Unpaved event. Both routes are off-road rides over the scenic and hilly backroads of the Berkshires.

Learn more about the routes here.

PMC Unpaved riders should use gravel, cyclocross, or mountain bikes; road bikes should not be used.

PMC Unpaved routes are loops that start and end at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac (6 Hawthorne Road, Lenox, MA 01240).

Yes. The $200 registration fee includes lodging at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac Friday and/or Saturday night. If you prefer to stay off site, the registration fee is reduced to $150.

Each rider will receive a registration kit that includes their credentials and an official PMC Unpaved vest.

Yes, you can change between the 30- and 50-mile routes; your registration fee and fundraising commitment will remain the same.

Yes, riders can choose to stay Camp Mah-Kee-Nac Friday and/or Saturday night; lodging is included in the PMC Unpaved rider registration fee ($200). Riders will be housed in cabins at the camp, with approximately 12 people per cabin.

Learn more about accommodations here.

PMC Unpaved is a weekend getaway centered around challenging riding, a party with great food and music, and the company of hundreds of other cyclists who love bikes but hate cancer.

Cyclists can arrive at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac as early as Friday afternoon, September 27, and check in to the event, enjoy a light dinner, campfire, smores, nightcap, acoustic entertainment, and more, before bunking at the camp for the night (or staying off site).

PMC Unpaved rides start at 9 AM on Saturday, September 28, followed by an afternoon celebration of food, music, and fun at the camp, where riders can choose to stay overnight again. The weekend wraps up Sunday morning with breakfast.

Read more about the PMC Unpaved experience here.

Yes, guests are welcome at PMC Unpaved!

Riders are welcome to bring guests with them to enjoy Friday and Saturday afternoon activities. Guest meal tickets will be available for purchase for Friday and Saturday lunch and dinner. Guest meal tickets ($25 for adults, $10 for children) must be purchased in advance.

Guests are not permitted to stay overnight.

PMC Unpaved Reimagined riders are able to ride wherever, whenever and however far they so choose. Reimagined Riders commit to a fundraising minimum and contribute towards the annual goal in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, even if you are unable to participate in person at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac. Reimagined Riders agree they will not ride one of the organized routes at PMC Unpaved on September 28, 2024.

Virtual Riders are individuals who do not ride, but support the PMC’s mission by fundraising. Virtual Riders have no minimum commitment but are encouraged to fundraise to the best of their ability.

You may cancel your ride, however, upon registration all riders are committed to meet the fundraising minimum of their route whether or not they participate. The fundraising minimum deadline is November 1, 2024.

Donations in support of a PMC rider may be made in a variety of ways, including by credit card, check, Facebook or Venmo.

Credit Card: To search for the rider you'd like to support online, click here.

Check: To support a rider via check, make the check payable to PMC Unpaved, the Pan-Mass Challenge, PMC, Jimmy Fund and/or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Riders who receive checks directly from donors should deposit them electronically using the PMC app on their iOS or Android smartphone.

If a donor makes out a check to a rider, the rider should endorse and sign it over to the PMC Unpaved. Please be sure to include the rider’s name and/or eGift ID on the memo line of the check. Checks should be mailed to the PMC office: 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.

Additional Ways to Give: Click here to learn about additional ways to give to the PMC, including through a donor advised fund, stock, IRA, etc.

The PMC's federal tax ID number is 04-2746912.

All donations made online will be acknowledged with an emailed tax receipt. Donations made by check for $250 or more will automatically generate a tax acknowledgment by mail. Tax receipts for donations of less than $250 may be provided upon request. To request a receipt for a previous donation, please email unpaved@pmc.org.

Mobile deposit via the new PMC App is the fastest way to deposit your checks. 

Simple fundraising checks – those to be applied only to your fundraising – should be deposited through mobile deposit.

Checks requiring special attention (those with matching gifts forms, "in honor" or "in memory" donations requesting a tribute letter, or checks to be split among several riders, etc.) should be mailed to the PMC Unpaved office for our staff to process. The office address is 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.

PMC Unpaved riders can continue fundraising post-event. The fundraising minimum deadline is November 1, 2024.

The PMC's intention in creating a new event is to raise even more funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

That said, PMC riders who have raised more than their fundraising minimum for PMC 2024 may contact the PMC office to transfer a portion of those funds to their PMC Unpaved balance for this year, as long as that does not reduce their PMC 2024 balance below their minimum. To request a transfer, please contact Fundraising Associate Jessica Otto Guay.

PMC Unpaved Summit riders are fundraisers who exceed their fundraising commitments and receive recognition from the PMC for their fundraising efforts. The 2024 Summit Fundraiser level is $4,000. 

Facebook Fundraisers are integrated with and can be set up through your PMC Unpaved Dashboard. Funds raised in either place (Facebook or via PMC Unpaved pages) stay in sync. Facebook has no fees for credit card donations.

Yes, you can have both a PMC Facebook Fundraiser and a PMC Unpaved Facebook Fundraiser set up at the same time.

You should create your PMC Unpaved Facebook Fundraiser through your PMC Unpaved Dashboard.

Log into your PMC Unpaved Dashboard and click Fundraising in the left hand menu. From there, click Email Templates to select and edit an available template.

If you receive cash from a donor, you can either write a personal check to PMC Unpaved or use your credit card to put the correct donation amount into your account, but use the information for the donor rather than for yourself.

The fundraising commitment for both routes – 30 and 50 miles – is $1,500.

PMC Unpaved riders’ commitment to fundraising is at the heart of PMC culture. When riders register, they commit to a fundraising minimum, 100 percent of which goes to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Volunteer registration will open spring 2024! Register to volunteer at secure.unpaved.org/volunteer.

You must be at least 13 years old to volunteer for PMC Unpaved.

No, PMC Unpaved volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and lodging. 

Rooms are available at the nearby Yankee Inn in Lenox, MA. PMC Unpaved riders and volunteers should contact the Yankee Inn to reserve their rooms.

No. Only volunteers who register online prior to the event will be able to volunteer at PMC Unpaved.

Each volunteer will need to register through their own account so we have their information on file, including their signatures on the PMC Unpaved waiver and volunteer agreement. For anyone under 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to sign the waiver and agreement on their behalf. Each volunteer must select a volunteer shift and complete registration through their own account. If your family wants to volunteer together, make sure there are enough shifts available at that site before signing up.

No. Please only register for a position if you are able to stay for the full duration of your shift. Volunteers who arrive late or leave early increase the burden on their fellow volunteers and negatively impact the experience for riders. If, after registering, you have a conflict that will make it impossible for you to stay for the duration of your shift, please email unpaved@pmc.org and we can cancel your shift for you.

PMC Unpaved relies on dedicated volunteers to make the event possible and support riders.