Pan-Mass ride is happening this weekend

Bike riders in the Pan-Mass Challenge will make their way through Rochester on Saturday, Aug. 1 as they ride with a goal of raising $79 million for cancer research.

Participants will start riding in either Wellesley or Worcester and ride all the way to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne. Those coming from Worcester will be riding nearly 100 miles and those from Wellesley will ride over 80 miles as they make their way through Massachusetts on Saturday. 

The ride will come through Rochester this weekend on North Avenue, Neck Road, Burgess Avenue, Walnut Plain Road and High Street. There will be an increase in bicycle traffic and intermittent delays.

Cyclists will enter Rochester from the Freetown town line and continue into Wareham. 

The Rochester Police Department urges drivers to use caution when driving this weekend and expect cyclists throughout town. 

The Rochester Police Departmentwill have additional officers assigned throughout the route and stationed at key intersections to keep everyone, including motorists and cyclists, moving safely.

Expect travel delays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If possible, plan ahead or choose an alternate route.

Massachusetts law requires motorists to give cyclists at least 4 feet of space when passing. 

The Pan-Mass Challenge started in 1980 and has raised $1.125 billion for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a cancer treatment and research center in Boston. Riders raise money to participate in the challenge.