Biking on Cape Cod
Biking on Cape Cod
KINDNESS comes to explore Cape Cod by bike. Little did we know the Pan-Mass Challenge, a 25 to 211 mile bike race for charity was happening on Cape Cod at the same time.
Biking on Cape Cod
The Province Lands Bike Trail is a 6.3-mile bike trail located in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The trail is located on the outer Cape Cod National Seashore, and passes through the dunes of the National Seashore. The trail is paved, with some steep inclines. Along the way, bikers can take a break and explore the many beaches and ponds. The trail is open year-round, and bike rental services are available in the summer months. The Province Lands Bike Trail is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Cape Cod and get some exercise while doing it. We found the landscape of the dunes quite breathtaking. Diane had never been there previously, and although the vegetation is typical of Cape Cod, the dunes offer a stark contrast to other areas of the Cape making it unique.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Although we didn’t traverse the rail trail this trip, it is worthy of a mention. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 22-mile long bike path that runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet. The trail passes through some of the most scenic areas on the Cape, including the Cape Cod National Seashore, Nickerson State Park, and the towns of Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet.
The Pan-Mass Challenge
The Pan-Mass Challenge is the largest athletic fundraiser in the United States and has raised over $900 million since its inception in 1980. The event occurs annually the first weekend in August and takes riders along routes ranging from 25 to 211 miles in length. All Saturday routes start in Wellesley or Sturbridge and end in Bourne, Massachusetts, and traverse the picturesque towns and cities of Eastern Massachusetts. The Sunday route which we witnessed, started at Bourne MMA and ended at the Provincetown Inn.
Riders take part in the event for a variety of reasons. Some are cancer survivors themselves, while others are riding in honor of a loved one affected by the disease. All riders must commit to raising at least $6000 for this particular portion of the race, and the money goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to help fund cancer research and treatment.