Lynn pair to bike 192 miles for loved ones

LYNN – City residents Jason Gridley and Sherie-Lyn Sirois decided to bike the 192 miles in the Pan Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research after they both saw relatives stricken with the disease.Gridley lost his great aunt to cancer last year and has several close friends battling cancer. Sirois is riding in honor of her friend, Linda Roach, who battled breast cancer.?After looking at it from a couple of different perspectives, it came down to why not,” said Gridley as to why he decided to participate. “My family has been affected by cancer and it is a great way to help make a difference.”Both will have to bike 192 miles over two days on Aug. 6 and 7 when they participate in the Pan Mass Challenge.?It is a huge undertaking but Jason and I both feel that if our friends and family can survive cancer, we can survive this,” said Sirois.The Pan Mass Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The organization began in 1980 and it has raised nearly $240 million for cancer research.Neither Gridley nor Sirois have much experience biking long distances, they said.?We both are new to it. I am a little nervous, but it has been more about the commitment and the adrenaline kicking in. It is a good kind of nervous,” said Sirois. “All of our friends think we are nuts.”To prepare for the challenge, the two have been cross training.Two days a week they weight train and three or four days a week they bike a total of 30 miles.The two can be seen riding around in Lynn, Nahant, Swampscott and other North Shore towns.?I have now become an avid bike rider,” said Gridley.In addition to training, they have also been fundraising for the event.The two have to raise $4,200 to participate.?Raising the money is very daunting,” said Sirois. “The 192 miles is not as big of a deal as the $4,200.”With the event rapidly approaching, the duo is excited for the big day.?It is going to be a great weekend,” said Gridley. “Every one you talk to is related to cancer somehow. It is great to help out with something like this.”The two friends have known each other for about a year and met at the YMCA while training for a 5K.?The Pan Mass Challenge was the next big thing we could (do) together,” said Sirois.The training has helped strengthen their friendship and their bodies.?We have worked hard to change ourselves physically. This proves how hard we have worked,” said Sirois. “No matter what it is, mind over matter will always win.”