FRANKLIN – Two teams with strong Franklin connections were among the thousands of cyclists participating in the 2026 Pan-Mass Challenge on August 1st and 2nd, continuing years of fundraising for cancer research and patient care through Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Team Gavin rides in honor and memory of Franklin resident Gavin Beaulieu, who battled serious illness from a young age and passed away last year from leukemia at just 11 years old. Gavin’s father, Derek Beaulieu, serves as captain of the team. The group was inspired by Gavin’s experience receiving treatment through Dana-Farber, including his participation in a clinical trial after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Riders have long described meeting Gavin and his family at the PMC’s Pedal Partner stop in Lakeville as one of the highlights of their ride.
Also participating was Franklin-based Team PHAT Tuesday, a group whose connection to the Pan-Mass Challenge stretches back decades. PHAT Tuesday began with cyclists meeting for Tuesday evening training rides more than 20 years ago and officially registered as a PMC team in 2001. Today, its members come from the greater MetroWest area and several states beyond Massachusetts.
During this year’s ride, members of PHAT Tuesday met with their Pedal Partner, Finn Pattison, and his family at the Pedal Partner tent in Lakeville. The team has made a significant impact through its years of participation, raising more than $6.5 million cumulatively for the Pan-Mass Challenge.
Both teams are part of the larger Pan-Mass Challenge effort to raise money in support of cancer research and treatment, while also riding in honor of the individuals and families whose experiences give the event its meaning each year.
For more information on the Pan-Mass Challenge, visit their official Facebook page.
