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Date: 11/3/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD — When Tony Dultz saw an advertisement for a new one-day charitable gravel bike-a-thon that took place in the Berkshires, he knew this ride was for him.
The West Springfield resident was among nearly 500 riders who rode in a fun and challenging off-road cycling experience, PMC Unpaved, on Oct. 1. A new event in the yearly Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) fundraising campaign for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, it brought together new and existing PMC riders.
Dultz had always wanted to ride in a PMC event, but time and fundraising didn’t work out until now. He raised money for cancer research and rode in honor of several family members that have succumbed to cancer over the years. One of them was his father, who died after a very short battle with cancer when Dultz was 19.
“My father had direct ties to the Berkshires, making this event extra special for me. He lived in Washington, Massachusetts, for some time, and had many friends in the area, including Arlo Guthrie,” he said.
The Berkshires have always been a special place for Dultz while growing up. He spent time with his father at Otis Reservoir, hiking, playing catch at various fields, visiting the Guthrie family, and spending time at Bucksteep Manor in Washington.
His stepfather, a great aunt and, most recently, his brother-in-law are among family members who have died from cancer. He also has an uncle who is currently in cancer remission.
“I also rode to support families of these people. They take on such trying times, caring for their loved ones, many times losing that person. The amount of time and things they do to put their lives on pause to turn their attention toward fighting this disease needs to be highlighted as well,” added Dultz.
He added that the hours caregivers devote going to and from appointments and to hospitals, spending time away from work, and having to excuse themselves from events, milestones and children’s sports, sometime goes unnoticed.
Dultz said watching family members go through treatments, and knowing they may not survive, has made him acutely aware of how quickly life can turn.
“It seems cliche to make comments like, ‘You only live once,’ or ‘Live every day to its fullest,’ but there are very few who actually live by those words, because we’re all so busy just trying to make it through every day,” he said.
Approaching 50 himself, he said the cancer deaths serve as a reminder to him that he needs to learn to take better care of himself.
“At times, especially when I’m out on rides or even hikes, I’m even more grateful that I’m able to do those things,” he said.
Riders in PMC Unpaved paid a registration fee from $150 to $200, and were expected to raise at least $1,500 in donations to Dana-Farber. Dultz raised $1,700 from many friends on social media and a small bottle and can drive from a 40th birthday party for a friend during the summer.
“Before we rolled out, we were told that PMC Unpaved ride raised more money than any other gravel event in the country,” he said. “As a first-year event, that’s incredible.”
The ride in the Berkshires is one of the “spokes in the wheel” of the organization’s fundraising events that include the PMC, PMC Winter Cycle, PMC Kids Rides, and the inaugural PMC Unpaved. Its goal this year was to raise $66 million as a “gift” to Dana-Farber.
This isn’t the first time Dultz saddled up for a charitable event. In high school, he and a childhood friend rode in a U.S. Olympic Committee fundraising event called the Olympic Pride Bike Ride, an 88-mile bike ride in 1988 from Springfield to Boston. Other bike events include the 100-mile Bike MS-Windsor ride, the ConnectiCare Grand Fondo, and mountain bike races in Leadville, CO.
Dultz started biking in his teens as a BMX racer at tracks in Northampton and Westfield. When mountain biking became popular, he began focusing on that style. Dultz didn’t do much cycling in his 30s while raising kids, but quickly resumed after his divorce in 2014,
“Cycling became a way of channeling the stress of divorce,” he said. “I enjoy cycling now more than I ever have. It’s been a great way to stay healthy, explore, make friends all over the country and fundraise for charitable causes.”
He currently owns a Scott Spark mountain bike — which he rode in the Berkshires — and a Guerciotti Alero road bike. He would like to add a gravel bike to his stable, but is still doing research. He has a Peloton stationary bike at his house that he uses in the winter, on rainy days, or while on a work call.
Dultz typically rides at least once a week during the season.
“I try to mix it up between road rides and local trails,” he said. “I have a great group of cyclists in Suffield – we try to meet up on Saturday mornings when the weather is good. It’s always a good time to put 20 to 40 miles in early in the morning.”
His training usually consists of long-distance rides, intervals, weight training, the Peloton, and Wahoo fitness classes. Nutrition and hydration while riding also are important parts of his training.
“That’s one of the hardest things to get down,” he said. “Many people forget to eat and drink while riding. If you aren’t constantly eating and drinking, then the body won’t be able to keep up. This can also lead to cramps, which can quickly end your day of riding when pushing uphill.”
PMC Unpaved included two off-road gravel routes, 30- and 50-mile options – dubbed “The Raven” and “The Eagle,” respectively. Since Dultz trains almost year-round, he didn’t have to do too much extra training to prepare for his 50-mile ride, other than focus on the many hills on the route.
“It was a fundraising event, so we weren’t moving at race pace speeds, but there was so much climbing. The numbers showed there was 5,000 feet of climbing over 50 miles, so every mile had at least 100 feet of climbing, on average. It was hard,” he explained. “Leg strength and stamina to keep pedaling was very important. There was a bit of suffering going on, but the course was so well laid out, it made for some great scenery. “
Dultz said he enjoyed riding the mixed-terrain course because there was “a little bit of everything” to manage.
“We started off the day in the rain, which also added to traction management issues. But this was one of the best-supported rides I’ve ever done. The PMC does an amazing job supporting riders – from the pre-ride to the finish line and all points in between,” he said.
The start and final mile brought a rush of emotions to Dultz. “There was so much wrapped up in being able to honor the people I’ve lost, fundraising for this great cause, and just being able to be part of this day. It felt great to raise funds for this event – and I hope to do more of it in the years to come.”