Newton’s cyclists almost didn’t recognize each other without their biking shorts,  jerseys and helmets at last night’s City Hall reception for Pan Mass Challenge riders and volunteers. Speakers were PMC founder and Newton native Billy Starr, Vicki Kennedy (who thanked Mayor Warren for inviting her and for not subsequently uninviting her!), and Dr. Lee Nadler, senior vice president of experimental medicine at Dana Farber. Nadler spoke about how much funding Dana Farber has lost from NIH over the years and how much slack the PMC has picked up with the $303 million it has raised.

Of the 5,000 or so cyclists who ride the various PMC routes, Newton is home to 160 of them (including Mayor Warren). That doesn’t even include all the volunteers, who are an essential part of making the ride a success.

If you haven’t sponsored a PMC rider yet, please consider doing so.