For each Pelotonia participant, motivations behind why they ride are as personal and individualized as the cyclists themselves. But they share in a common motivation that echoes Pelotonia’s one goal: to end cancer.
At Fisher, the spirit of community involvement and generosity in this common goal can be found among Pelotonia's more than 8,000 first-time riders and experienced participants who biked to end the disease. Among the many who represented the college this year is the Team Buckeye — Fisher College Peloton, which was led by Andrea Evans, assistant director of orientation in the college’s Undergraduate Programs and Advising Office, and Kim Bader, assistant director for honors at Fisher.
The peloton is made up of staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of Fisher who are united in the fight against cancer.
Pelotonia is an annual cycling ride that raises funds through donations for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Since the first Pelotonia in 2009, community members from all walks of life have participated in the event as riders, virtual riders and volunteers. To date, the event has raised more than $142.7 million for cancer research.
Four Fisher community members shared their thoughts on why they ride.
Making an impact
For Chauncey Kimble, a senior in logistics management, Pelotonia 2017 was his first ride. He was motivated to participate in the 25-mile ride because he credits Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center — James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute with saving his grandfather’s life. Additionally, The James is helping to save the life of his girlfriend’s father.
How did you initially get involved with Pelotonia?
“I have always wanted to do the ride; however, I always hesitated until this year when I made a commitment to myself to sign up and do it!”
How does the atmosphere at Fisher promote a spirit of community involvement in events like Pelotonia?
“Fisher has a way of always trying to give back to the community and trying to ingrain in the students’ minds to always do the ‘right thing’ and try to help one another.”
What were you most looking forward to about Pelotonia 2017?
“Obviously, the finish line. I knew it would be a struggle, and I feel like that is part of what motivated me because I knew that when things were getting tough during the ride, I just needed to remember the purpose as to why I was participating.”
What advice do you have for anyone considering getting involved with Pelotonia?
“My advice to someone considering getting involved is to just simply do it. I regret that I waited so long to participate.”
David Renner’s interest in Pelotonia began with his first ride in 2010. This year, he’ll begin his third year of Fisher’s MBA for Working Professionals program, and he completed his sixth Pelotonia ride — the 100-mile course from downtown Columbus to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.
Through his Pelotonia rides, David honors the memory of those lost to cancer, including his grandmother, his uncle, his friend’s wife and a member of his community.
“It’s also for the growing list of people whose stories I have learned while participating in Pelotonia,” he says. “And, it is for the people whose stories I have gotten small glimpses of through the homemade signs along the bike route.”
How did you initially get involved with Pelotonia?
“A co-worker from a former job fought pancreatic cancer over 10 years ago and is, to this day, involved in Pelotonia. It feels like our community is coming together to really make a difference. Chris Spielman, who lives in my community, came and talked to kids and parents at the elementary school. These and other community connections are what I found inspiring and made me feel I just had to be a part of it.”
How does the atmosphere at Fisher promote a spirit of community involvement in events like Pelotonia?
“Fisher creates an atmosphere of inspiration and possibility. I feel like I have really gotten to know my professors and fellow students and that I am part of the Fisher community.
I just completed summer semester, where in one class the professor coached the students into coaching each other. It created an incredibly supportive and inspiring atmosphere. Rather than competing with each other, we were truly trying to help each other improve. People at Fisher are so giving of themselves that I believe it’s natural to feel you need to give back.”
What were you most looking forward to about Pelotonia 2017?
“It’s very emotional and uplifting to connect with people along the way who tell their stories of loved ones. I find myself getting a lump in my throat as I pass through Granville and other spots where I see so many of those homemade signs.”
What advice do you have for anyone considering getting involved with Pelotonia?
“Get involved in any way you feel comfortable. I really believe that you will find any kind of involvement so very rewarding. Everyone is so supportive, and you are instantly on a great, big passionate and inspiring team.”
Adam Watson graduated from Fisher in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. This year, he completed his fist 100-mile Pelotonia ride, but it wasn't his debut in the annual event. That experience occurred in 2015 when he completed the 75-mile ride. For Adam, the inspiration to participate in Pelotonia stems from his grandfather’s battle with lung cancer while Adam was a high-school senior.
But his motivation doesn’t end there.
“Coming into Ohio State I was a biomedical science major through the College of Medicine, where I had the opportunity to make friends who have done research as Pelotonia Fellows,” Adam says. “Discussing with them the impact that every dollar has on their research, their ideas, and their successes keeps me motivated. I’ve seen that we’re well on our way to reaching our one goal: to end cancer.”
How did you initially get involved with Pelotonia?
“As a student, I was heavily involved with the student organization, Block ‘O.’ We partnered with Team Buckeye [Ohio State’s student team of riders] to create excitement around Pelotonia and campus involvement. I learned firsthand what your dollars go to when you donate to Pelotonia by meeting with patients battling cancer, meeting their doctors and researchers, and talking to survivors. It was an incredible experience that led me to participate in my first ride.”
How does the atmosphere at Fisher promote a spirit of community involvement in events like Pelotonia?
“Fisher does an incredible job of creating an atmosphere that promotes involvement through a plethora of events for students. Professors and administrators teach the importance of global impact to students, and empower us to learn by taking chances and giving back to the community around us. Pelotonia is a perfect fit for the global impact message Fisher provides, as it gets us involved in the Columbus community through fundraising. The impact felt by Pelotonia’s fundraising efforts is global.”
What were you most looking forward to about Pelotonia 2017?
“Pelotonia does a great job with their festivities surrounding the ride with their opening ceremony in McConnell Park, and the celebration held for the riders at the finish; however, the ride itself is an incredible experience. You are riding a difficult course; however, every step of the way you are joined by your fellow riders and surrounded by countless communities of people who support you and even share their own stories. It is an experience unlike anything else I have ever done.”
What advice do you have for anyone considering getting involved with Pelotonia?
“Team Buckeye makes it so easy for anyone to get involved, even if you have never road-cycled before. The fundraising is not very difficult, and ride weekend is such an incredibly rewarding experience. If you cannot ride but want to help us reach our ‘One Goal,’ reach out to a volunteer. Becoming a part of the Team Buckeye and Pelotonia communities has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.”
Jeffrey Rice, associate to the dean for staff professional development and executive director of Fisher’s Office of Career Management, completed his third 45-mile Pelotonia ride from Columbus to New Albany.
For Jeffrey, his motivation to ride in Pelotonia stems from cancer’s impact on his family and friends, including his mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law, along with former and current team members, friends and neighbors.
“Some are survivors, while others are gone too soon from this horrible disease,” Jeffrey says. “I truly believe there is a cure for cancer in the future, and it will be the ‘miracle of our lifetime.’”
How did you initially get involved with Pelotonia?
“I was inspired by two people. Margie Bogenschutz on our Career Management team, who rode for many years and continues to serve as a virtual rider raising hundreds of dollars. Secondly, I met Dr. Michael Caligiuri, CEO of Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, several years ago as we were working together on a project. He is so passionate about a cure, and he believes we will find one — he made a believer out of me!”
How does the atmosphere at Fisher promote a spirit of community involvement in events like Pelotonia?
“There is a clear focus at Fisher on both community involvement and living healthy lifestyles. These characteristics of Fisher make Pelotonia a perfect fit.”
What were you most looking forward to about Pelotonia 2017?
“As with the past two years, I have trained well for this, so I was looking forward to reaping the rewards of this experience over the four-hour ride. And, the celebration at the end of the ride is a clear reminder of the impact this event has had on thousands coming together for a common purpose.”
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