Three decades ago, I rode my first Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, when the event was still held in September. It was a perfect fall weekend, ideal for an epic, 181-mile, two-day pedal.

A few years later, founder Billy Starr moved the Pan-Mass to August to make the event more convenient, coinciding with summer vacations and avoiding school conflicts. That made sense from a fund-raising perspective, but it also scheduled the event right in the teeth of the summer’s dog days.

Rider comfort was the collateral damage for increased numbers — and more funds raised. Given the PMC’s noble cause of cancer research and treatment, it was an acceptable price for many participants to pay.

As a result, the Needham-based PMC has become the unrivaled behemoth of charity rides, raising millions for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute via the Jimmy Fund — $40 million and counting this year, and close to $550 million since the ride began in 1980. To collect those sums, the fund-raising requirements are steep. The minimums for the same two-day ride I did are now $4,800 before March 1, and $7,800 afterward.

However, there are dozens of great charity rides in Eastern Massachusetts — including smaller PMC events — that don’t require such high fund-raising commitments. They take advantage of the cool, crisp temperatures that follow Labor Day — and all support excellent causes.

Most rides allow for individual and team registration, and most are fully supported, with rest stations every 15 to 20 miles offering refreshments and mechanical help. Registrations and fund-raising requirements vary.

NORTH OF BOSTON

Aug. 26

Bike MS — New Hampshire Seacoast Escape

Stratham, N.H. Choice of 25- or 60-mile scenic bike routes. Funds raised benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Sept. 9

Coast to the Cure NF Bike Ride

Gloucester. Choice of North Shore bike routes of 24, 66, or 100 miles — starting and ending at Stage Fort Park — to benefit neurofibromatosis research. Post-ride barbecue.

Sept. 9

Red Kettle Ride — Salvation Army

Billerica. Choice of various bike routes (9.5, 25, and 62 miles) to benefit the Salvation Army of Greater Lowell.

Sept. 10

Ride for Angels

North Andover. Choice of multiple bike routes (20, 40, 65, and 100 miles) to benefit Angel Flight Northeast’s free flight program for life-saving medical care.

Sept. 16

Tour de Greenbelt

Essex. Choice of 25- or 50-mile rides to benefit the Essex County Greenbelt Association’s land conservation programs.

Oct. 21

King Challenge

Stratham, N.H. Choice of routes (10, 30, and 62 miles), plus an adaptive ride. Join pro cyclist Ted King to support the Krempels Center’s mission to improve the lives of people living with brain injury from trauma, tumor, or stroke.

WEST OF BOSTON

Sept. 9

Tour de Streets — LivableStreets

Cambridge. Choice between urban ride, family-friendly ride, or walk highlighting the Emerald Network, with a BBQ party afterwards. All benefit the LivableStreets Alliance , which aims to improve urban transportation for multiple users.

Sept. 17

PMC Kids Ride — Lexington

Lexington. Open to children ages 3–14, with choice of route and activities. Funds raised benefit cancer research and treatment.

Cycle the Wave

Ashland. An all-female, noncompetitive ride through scenic towns to raise awareness of domestic violence and raise funds for Web of Benefit, a local nonprofit assisting survivors of domestic violence. Choice of 25-, 42-, and 62-mile routes.

Sept. 24

Ride for Food

Dedham. Choice of 10-, 25-, or 50-mile routes to benefit local food pantries. Organized by Three Squares New England . Free jersey designed by MassArt student Marissa Schwarzentruber for every rider raising $1,000 or more.

Ride to Defeat ALS

Wayland. Choice of routes of 10, 25, 50, or 70 miles supporting the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter’s efforts to fight Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Oct. 1

Ride to Thrive

Harvard. Choice of 66- or 33-mile rides through scenic Nashoba Valley to benefit the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center .

Oct. 7

CF Cycle for Life — Massachusetts

Holliston. Choice of 12-, 30-, or 65-mile routes. Funds raised benefit the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation chapters.

SOUTH OF BOSTON

Sept. 2

Bike to the Beach — New England

Boston. Century ride (100 miles) from Boston to Newport, R.I., to highlight the benefits of cycling and to raise awareness and funding for autism.

Sept. 16

CF Cycle for Life — Rhode Island

Westport, MA. Choice of 25- or 62-mile routes. Funds raised benefit the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation chapters.

Sept. 17

The Last Gasp

Sandwich. Scenic 62-mile bike ride from Sandwich to Provincetown to benefit eight local charities on Cape Cod.

PMC Kids Ride — Canton

Canton. Open to kids ages 3–15, with choice of route and activities. Funds raised benefit cancer research and treatment.

Sept. 23

Rodman Ride for Kids

Foxborough. Choice of 25-, 50-, and 100-mile routes. Funds raised benefit a broad range of programs that serve children across New England.

Tour de South Shore

Hingham. The McCourt Foundation’s Tour de South Shore Athletic Festival offers a 25- and 50-mile ride, a 12-mile off-road ride, a 5K walk and a 5K fun run. Supports research for Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Sept. 24

D.W. Field Triathlon (Bike, Boat, and Run)

Brockton. Featuring 14-mile bike, 2-mile canoe/kayak, and 4-mile run. Benefits the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center .

Oct. 1

Impact Ride

Attleboro. Choice of various bike routes to fund the mission of Susan G. Komen New England to end breast cancer.

If you have an idea for the Globe’s “On the Move’’ column, contact correspondent Brion O’Connor at brionoc@verizon.net. Please allow at least month’s advance notice.