Behind The Scenes
SpokesKIDS on July 27 Hosts Pelotonia Kids Ride for Ages 8-14 in Granville
By The Pelotonia Team|July 25, 2024
Just one week before Ride Weekend, SpokesKIDS will host a Pelotonia Kids ride to engage children between the ages of 8 and 14. This youth cycling event will take place on Saturday, July 27 in Granville, with the ride starting at 11:30am.
Pelotonia Kids is a series of kids cycling events to engage the next generation of Pelotonia participants. In collaboration with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC—James), 100 percent of every Pelotonia Kids participant-raised dollar will be directed to innovative pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Each Pelotonia Kids ride is organized by Pelotonia community volunteers with assistance from Pelotonia through planning resources, equipment rentals, merchandise and promotional support. Events vary in participant ages, route distances and venue locations.
SpokesKIDS is one of the original kids rides that has seen success before the Pelotonia Kids program launched this year. It was started in 2015 by Calvin Schnaidt, son of the late David Schnaidt, who started Team Granville Spokesman and was deeply passionate about Pelotonia’s mission. Inspired by his father, Calvin (Cal) wanted to give other kids the chance to get involved in Pelotonia, too.
SpokesKIDS targets an older age range of kids, offering a longer route and an emphasis on fundraising for youth participants.
Fast forward to this year, and Cal is currently attending Ohio University and has passed on the leadership role for the SpokesKIDS ride to new organizers. Kelly Clarry, 7x Rider and member of the Victoria’s Secret & PINK peloton team, and Brittany Smith, a community volunteer in Granville, are organizing SpokesKIDS 2024.
Kelly’s husband, Yuri, passed away in 2017 from stage IV metastatic lung cancer. Kelly saw the kids ride as an opportunity to give her sons, Oliver (14) and William (12), a chance to feel supported by a community through their experience with cancer.
“It’s so much more than a ride. Pelotonia Kids shows that these kids can really make a difference. It gives them a voice and instills the value of philanthropy at a younger age.
I was always looking for an outlet for my kids to have support and build community, helping them navigate everything children go through when a parent has cancer. It has been really gratifying to be part of SpokesKIDS.”
-Kelly Clarry
After being approached to help lead SpokesKIDS prior to last year, Kelly asked her neighbor, Brittany Smith, to join her in planning SpokesKIDS 2024. Brittany was eager about the Pelotonia Kids ride, as her sons, Gavin (13) and Lucas (10), had previously been involved in SpokesKIDS Jr.
Brittany and her family’s lives have also been personally impacted by cancer. Brittany's husband, Tim Smith, is a cancer Survivor. Tim is a medically retired 16-year firefighter who was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2018. He is Living Proof, taking a daily oral chemotherapy that Brittany says is working.
SpokesKIDS participants are asked to register as a Pelotonia Challenger, which includes a minimum $100 fundraising commitment, with 100% of funds raised by each participant directed to cancer research.
To date, SpokesKIDS has raised over $55,000 for innovative cancer research!
“Pelotonia Kids gives a child the opportunity to show their support for their classmate, neighbor, or family member with cancer. This gives kids the opportunity to really do something. They can say, ‘I’m riding for you,’ which is powerful.”
-Brittany Smith
The event is on Saturday, July 27, and Pelotonia Kids Riders should meet at the starting location of OneLove Café and Bikes (415 S Main St) in Granville. Rider check-in will begin at 10:30am with the ride starting at 11:30am.
Participants will ride on the T.J. Evans Trail for an 8-mile route, with four miles out and then four miles back, experiencing the scenic route through downtown Granville – similar to the Ride Weekend experience, which is a favorite for Pelotonia Riders – along the route.
Before the ride begins, there will be volunteers checking kids bikes and tires for safety. Granville Police Department supports the ride with a bike officer leading the kids ride, and the Granville Fire Department follows the last riders for EMS support.
After the ride, there will be a celebration to commemorate all of the participants’ hard work. The top three fundraisers will be recognized and receive an award. Event highlights also include Kona Ice and Donatos Pizza!
The SpokesKIDS ride is open to participants ages 8 to 14 from around central Ohio, including residents from areas outside of Granville.
Registration is now open at: https://granvillerec.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=937
Follow updates on the Pelotonia social media channels, SpokesKIDS on Facebook, and @spokeskids on Instagram!
Can’t make it? You can read more about the Pelotonia Kids program and upcoming rides here.
Or you can donate to the SpokesKIDS fundraising page here to support innovative pediatric cancer research!
Please note: There are two Pelotonia Kids events on July 27 in Granville! This ride, SpokesKIDS for ages 8-14 and SpokesKIDS Jr. for kids in pre-K to 3rd grade.
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