Hogan's Ride: K-9 Officer to Take on Pan-Mass Challenge

Arlington Police Officer Michael Hogan has earned numerous service awards with his K-9 partner Dasty, including a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives for Outstanding Service to the Community of Arlington. But he is currently training for one of his more demanding experiences yet: The Pan-Mass Challenge.

Hogan said he has wanted to take part in the challenge for five years but had never made the commitment. This year, Hogan will be riding as a part of Team Lily’s Pad in support of his pedal partner, Lily Sullivan.

“Lily Sullivan is the 5-year-old niece of my friends, Linda Medwar and Donna Vanderlinden," he said. "Lily has been battling Leukemia since last year.”

Medwar will be riding in the challenge for the 18th time this year, and she's the one who convinced Hogan to ride alongside her.

“Mike is the kind of guy who sets his mind to something and gives 110 percent,” she said. “The emotions surrounding the challenge outweigh the difficulty of biking the distance.”

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the two-day ride, which begins in both Wellesley and Sturbridge and has five finish lines in Provincetown, Bourne, Wellesley and Sharon. Approximately 5,500 cyclists ride in the challenge, and they're able to choose 11 different routes of varying mileage and difficulty.

Hogan has decided to take on the 192-mile ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown, and he is required to raise $4,300 in order to ride his chosen route.

“To prepare, I’ve been riding 25 to 30 miles, three days a week,” Hogan said. “I ride the bike path up to Concord and Carlisle. As of last Monday, I've reached 36 miles.”

While this is no small feat, it is a far cry from the 192 miles ahead.

“I’m just going to close my eyes and do it,” Hogan said. “The first part out of Sturbridge is really hilly, so I really wish my dog could tow me the whole way.”

To learn more about Hogan’s ride and to donate to his efforts, visit his profile on the Pan-Mass Challenge website (http://www.pmc.org/profile/MH0273).