Another amazing event weekend just wrapped up and I'm so grateful for the chance to participate in such a great event! I have biked for the past 6 years to help raise money for Pelotonia's mission of ending cancer. This nonprofit does a great job of creating fundraising events to help riders reach their goals, and the whole weekend of the actual ride is always very inspiring. There are lots of local companies that partner to help out this event on and I hope to continue to be a part of it. read more

Pelotonia - Opening ceremony - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Clarification: I have not been a rider in Pelotonia. Pelotonia 2013 was my first experience. Everything I've seen and done in just 2 days was first class and well-planned. Friends of mine are riders who support this grassroots effort to find a cure for cancer by riding in pelotons in 25 mile, 40 mile, 50 mile, 80 mile, 100 mile and, finally, 180 mile stages. I may have that wrong but there are plenty of choices to make when it comes to ride length. Columbus Commons is a perfect place to host Pelotonia. Huge lawn and amenities (ie. sidewalks, water, parking, places for tents and food service, etc). And with its stage there can be music, announcements, speakers and presentations. It's also the best place to tell riders, "I'll meet you near the stage" so no one gets lost. I attended Opening Ceremonies and was immersed in all that can and is Pelotonia. First and foremost, it's all about riders and their interest in beating down cancer. Riders have lost family members, relatives, friends and the likes....... we all have. Pelotonia is the actual material presence of the effort to satisfy the deep desire to eradicate cancer from our lives. The emotion running through the riders and their guests is heavy and palpable. Food and drink is everywhere. Songs and live music is strong. People arm in arm is so cool. Love in mixed with biking. But then.... there is the start. At 6AM riders roll in to Columbus Commons under an electric atmosphere. Wristbands announce the staging. A, B, C, D...... they all head to Rich Street when called upon and THEY'RE OFF! I am seriously considering my first Pelotonia in 2014. My parents were taken from my siblings and I by cancer and its evil enemies in disease. I really, really am looking hard at this. PELOTONIA - it is the real deal. read more

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I've ridden Pelotonia in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Each year the event gets bigger, better, and the community gets more thoroughly behind it. I moved to Columbus in 2009, and Pelotonia has helped form my opinion of Columbus. Local companies underwrite the expense of the event so 100% of donations go to The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Center at the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University. And local companies encourage participation in the form of organizations (creating pelotons), matching donations to rider profiles, and so on. In my mind, Columbus has a direct role in the fight against cancer - The James is located here, the Speilman Fund has an obvious connection to Columbus, there is a large Susan G. Komen event here, and there is Pelotonia. In 4 short years, I believe Pelotonia has helped focus that singularity of purpose in the minds of others in the Columbus area as well. And I think it has helped create a cycling ethos in Columbus. As for the ride itself, as I mentioned I've ridden for three years and I've seen the ride get bigger and better organized. 2012 saw a move of the event start to Columbus Commons (from Chemical Abstracts' campus) which improved accessibility to the event and put the event downtown, where I think it belongs. 2012 also saw a change in destination, to Kenyon College in Gambier from OU in Athens, and an increase in route offerings, both in terms of distance and challenge (2012 was the first year they offered "hilly" and "less hilly" routes for the 100 mile distance). While I missed the scenery of Hocking County this year, the new route was a win. More choices caters to more participants, and splitting the route cut down on rider density. Rider support has always been awesome. Pelotonia recruits volunteers for a variety of unskilled (passing out water, etc) and skilled (medical, mechanical, etc) roles. All volunteers are enthusiastic, friendly, and can't do enough to help you. And most importantly, they are where they're needed and there are enough of them. 2012 was the first year I had occasion to utilize the first aid services of Pelotonia, and they were terrific; I had a minor issue but was seen by a paramedic, a nurse, and two OSU doctors. They got me back on the road where I belonged. Pelotonia is a fun event, but it is not a casual affair. It has a serious mission and demands a fundraising commitment from its riders. When you sign up, you commit to a fundraising minimum, for which you pledge to pay the difference. This intimidates many (it isn't a small amount!) but it shouldn't. I was reluctant to take the plunge myself in 2010, but found fundraising to be far easier than I'd anticipated. In fact, I don't think I've met anyone who failed to meet their fundraising goal, and Pelotonia gives you some options with regards to shortening the distance you will ride (which lowers your fundraising commitment), allowing you to transfer funds across peloton members to help others meet their minimums, and giving you until mid-October to hit your commitment. Pelotonia has other good tools to support you. Their website is well put-together and reliable, and helps you solicit donations and processes them on the site. And they leave your donators alone after they've donated; in other words they won't be pestered all year long for more money. This is a top notch event, is a ton of fun, and is well supported. It will also make you feel like $100. You can get fit, have fun, and help others all with one activity. And there are different ways to participate to suit your preferences - ride, donate, volunteer. read more

If you own or have access to a bike, participate in pelotonia! It will change you and give you an intense appreciation for all it represents. Having participated in many races and athletic events, I could never have imagined being a part of something as incredibly large and organized as this. First class from start to finish and in every small detail. Will be involved with pelotonia for life! read more

My 2nd year taking part in Pelotonia and it was an awesome time. The move to Columbus Commons really improved the ride for me (mainly because it was walking distance and I didn't have to bother with parking). The way the event is organized is top-notch all around. The money couldn't go to a better cause, but they really make sure that every rider knows that they are making a difference individually as well. read more

If you've never ridden an organized ride before. Check this one out. Get on board, join a Peloton, and raise money. 100% of it goes directly to cancer research. I love that The James Cancer Hospital engages in research that supports more than just a cure, but also keeps an eye open for preventative measures! Why cure cancer when we can prevent it? May noone have to know this disease. That's my wish. In 2011, 5000 riders participated. All were well supported. Lots of food, lots of water, and safety vehicles along the road. Here was my reflections from the day. That others may understand the emotions and importance of such a ride. During Pelotonia 11, a patch of rough road caused many in the lead pack to slowdown for safety. To the side of the pack, I found smooth cement quicker than others. I was lucky. Soon I was in front and the peloton organized itsef behind me. A voice behind me said, "You realize you're leading 5000 riders." Awesome. Chilling. How can I feel humbled and honored both at the same time? Aren't these conflicting emotions? The lead rider position was shared amongst many that day. As a I lay in bed that night, I recalled this poem from my days as an active Mortar Board member. This weekend we rode in memory of so many who have lost their battle, for yet others who are still fighting, and nearest to my heart, that our future generations may never know this evil. MORTAR BOARD POEM The God of Great Endeavor gave me a torch to bear. I lifted it high above me in the dark and murky air, And straightway, with loud hosannas, the crowd proclaimed its light And followed me as I carried my torch through the starless night. Till drunk with the people's praises, and mad with vanity, I forgot 'twas the torch that they followed, And fancied they followed me. Then slowly my arm grew weary upholding the shining load, And my tired feet went stumbling over the dusty road, And I fell--with the torch beneath me. In a moment the light was out, When lo from the throng a stripling sprang forth with a mighty shout, Caught up the torch as it smoldered, and lifted it high again, Till, fanned by the winds of heaven, it fired the souls of men. As I lay in the darkness, the feet of the trampling crowd Passed over and far beyond me, its paeans proclaiming aloud, And I learned in the deepening twilight, the glorious verity, 'Tis the torch that the people follow, Whoever the bearer may be. - Elizabeth Furry, 1925 (Florida State University, Torchbearer) read more