Pelotonia Kicks Off with Record Number of Riders

According to The Columbus Dispatch, nearly 8,000 bicyclists have flooded onto central Ohio roads as the fundraiser powerhouse that is Pelotonia kicked off this morning.

Rafts of riders dispersed in waves from Downtown, heading out on routes of various lengths. Some cyclists are peddling 100 miles today and continuing and another 80 miles on Sunday. Others opted for the 25-mile route that ended in Pickerington just a few hours later.

More than 7,900 riders peddled off this morning, topping last year’s ridership by 600. They are expected push Pelotonia’s total fundraising since 2009 to more than $100 million.

About $76 million already has been spent on or committed to research, people and technology at Ohio State, where work at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and elsewhere at the university. To date, the bulk — 41 percent, or $31 million — has gone to research that might not otherwise get off the ground, said Dr. Michael Caligiuri, CEO of the James. Every dollar raised goes to research.

Riders began leaving a festival atmosphere Downtown at 7 a.m., their bikes and jerseys emblazoned with the names of those they are riding for, memorializing those lost to cancer, who have beaten it, or are fighting it now.

Doug Post, an OSU cancer researcher who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after last year’s Pelotonia ride, was back on his bike for the 25-mile ride this morning. Since his diagnosis, he has undergone six months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant in April.

“It’s been a real interesting journey, to say the least,” he said.

As his group prepared to start, he grinned widely while admitting, “I was worried I’d be crying the whole way.”

The announcer heralded each group of riders, asking who among them was riding with family, then with coworkers, and finally with friends.

“That was a trick question,” his voice boomed over speakers. “We’re all friends here.”

As riders gained speed from the start, supporters rang cowbells and cheered.

“Go mom, go!” someone called out.

“Who told me this was all downhill?” one rider asked aloud just a few minutes in, as he climbed a slight hill from Marconi Boulevard to Front Street.

Thom Nelson, 47, was riding 25 miles on his recumbent tricycle, which somewhat resembled a chaise lounge with wheels. He began using the trike due to “the rather uncomfortable effect of riding on a bicycle seat, however you want to put it.”

He pedaled the 24 miles from his home in Lewis Center to the starting line. He was riding for his dad, who died from throat cancer. It was Nelson’s first Pelotonia.

“It’s a fantastic cause,” he said.

Out on the road, only minor trouble was reported early on, including one woman who was treated by medics for breathing problems. Riders pulled into Pickerington for water breaks and bike repairs.

Among the cyclists were four young women who met at Ohio State, their legs similarly marked by homemade tattoos honoring their mothers, who all had cancer.

“Everybody says you can do something to make a difference, and all I’m doing is riding a bicycle,” said Maddie Aballi, whose mom is a breast cancer survivor. “But it really is making a difference.”