Last modified: Sunday, August 5, 2007 1:04 AM EDT Pan-Mass Challenge riders head down Agricultural Avenue in Rehoboth on Saturday. (Staff photo by KEITH NORDSTROM) Meeting the challenge BY JANETTE SEARS SUN CHRONICLE STAFF Despite record-breaking temperatures in the 90s on Saturday, bicyclists set out from Sturbridge and Wellesley to complete the first day's ride of the 28th Pan-Mass Challenge. But the scorching heat - the high of 95 set a record, according to the Attleboro Water Department - didn't deter the cyclists' die-hard supporters, who were there to meet the riders along many of the rural streets - offering water to drink, water sprinklers to ride under, signs of appreciation, cheers and other celebratory noises. And for anyone who, while trying to combat the heat, might have lost sight of why they were out there riding in it, the message once again became crystal clear as the riders entered the long driveway to Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School - the ride's annual designated lunch stop. Larger than life, both sides of the driveway were lined with posters of the riders' pedal partners - the 50 or so children who are being treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for various types of cancer, and for whom many teams were riding. At age 70, Garry Billingkoff of North Attleboro was making the trek for the first time, and hadn't forgotten why for a moment, saying at the lunch stop, "That's probably the only purpose for doing almost anything like this," with regard to the many children and others battling cancer. As for the heat, Billingkoff, said, "I'm not sorry I'm out here. As a matter of fact, I think the heat and all has energized me even more." Billingkoff was making the ride to support his daughter Sara Billingkoff, an oncology nurse at Dana-Farber-Children's Hospital Cancer Care in Boston, in her efforts to help the children, particularly two young boys from North Attleboro. The Billingkoffs were riding in honor of 5-year-old CJ Buckley and 3-year-old Jack Strachan, who were both diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March. Friends and family of the boys held a Little Steps walk-a-thon in May to contribute to the fundraising efforts of the Billingkoffs, who are making the complete two-day, 192-mile trek. Sara Billingkoff didn't let the heat distract her from the day's purpose either, saying, "I feel great. It's not half as bad I thought it was going to be, so it's going good so far. The ride is great. The atmosphere is awesome. I've seen a lot of patients, so that's been inspirational and exciting. The heat didn't deter Jim Laferriere of Attleboro from the cause either, who said, "I haven't thought that one bit, not at all," when asked if he was sorry he had committed himself to the ride. "A good friend of mine came down with a nasty bout of cancer this time last year and you feel defenseless," Laferriere said. "Grant it, it's a roundabout way to help him, but it helps others, too. It could end up helping me. It could end up helping you." As for the ride itself, Laferriere said he was inspired so much from everyone who helped him meet his fundraising goals to those diehard route supporters that he is already planning to ride again next year. "It's awesome," Laferriere said of the ride. "You've got people that are out there - they've got their cow bells, they got the horns, little kids are out there, cheering, pompoms, families - they're all decked out, thank-you signs. It's great. It's really neat. It's amazing. There's nothing like it." For all those riders, there were many volunteers at the lunch stop to show their appreciation and help the riders prepare for the last half of the day's journey. Betsy Duffy, site coordinator for the lunch stop and 10-year volunteer for the Pan-Mass Challenge, in fact, said there were more than 150 volunteers on hand at the lunch stop to provide food and a fun atmosphere for the 5,000 or so riders who were expected to stop over on their way to Bourne. In honor of the pedal partners, who were on hand to meet with the many team members riding for them, Duffy said the theme of the day was of pirates, with volunteers dressed in purple pirate T-shirts and other pirate accessories. But, despite the many efforts of the volunteers to thank the riders, Duffy said, the riders always beat her to the punch. "The families, many of them meet here, and it's a very supportive environment. The riders are so appreciative of all the volunteers. I always try to make a point of thanking the riders for riding, and before I've even finished my sentences. they say thank you for volunteering. You guys make all the difference." Among the many longtime volunteers at the lunch stop, were the Roman DJs, Chris and Donna Roman of Wrentham, along with their son, David, who donate their time to provide the day's musical entertainment. "We've been doing this for about 10 years for a couple of reasons," Chris Roman said. "We've had cancer touch our lives through relatives, and, actually I had cancer myself." Noting that the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has meant a lot to them in different ways, Roman said they try to support the institute as well as those who try to help the institute, such as the Pan Mass riders. "It's an important thing to do, and, for us, it's an opportunity to really make a difference." Janette Sears can be reached by phone or fax at 508-222-2442 or by e-mail at janette@janettesears.com.