In 2004, Jeff Adams and Matt Solar decided to ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a two-day 192-mile bike ride from Sturbridge, MA to Provincetown, MA. One of the most challenging aspects of the PMC is the fundraising. In 2004 the PMC required each rider to raise a minimum of $2,750, so Jeff & Matt had to get a bit creative with how they were going to raise $5,500. After some brainstorms, the 2004 Casino Night was born. Between riding, planning, and fundraising, the project became a part-time job. When all was said and done, an amazing $6,341 was raised for the Jimmy Fund.

2005 was a busy year to say the least. Jeff got married in June making any ride difficult to train for, and Matt got married on the same weekend as the PMC in August. Matt Solar did some research and found a smaller ride in New Hampshire - The Prouty. Joined by Adrian Ionescu (living in DC at the time) and a last-minute addition of Mike Morris, the trio was still able to raise a respectable $2,725

In 2006, we had some highs and lows.  Corporate sponsorship increased 20% - all thanks going to Christine O’Connor.  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalize 100% on Casino Night.  Oversights on the hotels behalf lead to poor turnout and limited fundraising.  However, we picked up the pieces and still managed to send another three riders to the Prouty, Jeff Adams, Matt Solar, and our newest rider, Taylor Moran-Gates.  Jeff suffered an early season knee injury and had very limited training time.  The 100-mile century would be his sixth ride of the season.  It was certainly a challenging year.  However, when all was said and done, we were able to raise a modest $2,480 among the three of us.

Now it's 2007.

In the past three years we’ve managed to raise $11,546 – nearly $4,000/year.  This year we hope not only to break the $15,000 mark, but to beat our average.  We want $5,000 in 2007.  We want more corporate sponsors.  We plan on hosting more events.  And to make it all happen, we’re logging more miles.  A lot more.

  Matt Solar

Rides: PMC, Prouty

Favorite ride moment: "Crowds cheering along the PMC route"

  Jeff Adams

 Rides: PMC

Worst pain: The brutal headwind along the Cape.

  Adrian Ionescu

Rides: Prouty

Favorite bike accessory: "Definitely the cell phone holder."

  Mike Morris

Rides: Prouty

Favorite song to sing in the rain: Johnny Nash, "I Can See Clearly Now."

  Christine O'Connor

 Non-Rider

 Christine is responsible for all of WP's corporate sponsorships and donation.

2007 - Matt Solar
2006 - Jeff Adams, Taylor Moran-Gates, Matt Solar.
2005 - Adrian Ionescu, Mike Morris, Matt Solar.
2004 - Jeff Adams, Matt Solar.