What is your Pelotonia this year?

Each year, I read many stories about why people ride in Pelotonia. For my 16th year riding, I want to share some reflections and new ambitions.

Pelotonia is unlike any other charity event. I think about it all year, as opposed to just the day or weekend of an event like other causes. Of course, Pelotonia is on my mind because of the training involved, but there is more to it.

It should alarm us all that cancer rates are rising for some of the most common cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. Cancer rates have risen dramatically in people under the age of 50. These stats feel personal. Cancer seems to touch my life daily more than it ever has.

My mother, my grandmother. My wife Connie’s mother and father all battled it. THG’s own team members- Lisa’s Uncle T (The James saved his life as well as my mother’s) and Steve’s father and mother-in-law both. Of this brief list, some surviving and some not. Currently, my closest friend from college is in a difficult battle, and a very special friend just passed away this February. I know too many other victims to mention, but they all inspire me to ride. I hope to raise funds for Pelotonia 2024, and also motivate first year riders to sign up for this life-changing event.

As such, I have also decided to build a new, custom home in Upper Arlington, where a portion of the proceeds will go towards this year’s ride. I am asking all of our partners, vendors and trade-contractors to support this endeavor. Your assistance and support will allow us to add to the almost $300 million raised during the past 15 years. I ask that you work with your own suppliers to contribute as many building materials and funds as possible so we can maximize the contributions we will be able to make to Pelotonia 2024.

I kindly ask you to make a tax-deductible contribution and sign up for this year’s ride. See you on the road this summer, and see you at the ride on August 3rd and 4th!