Welcome to the 2024 Pelotonia Challenger Series (this is the name that I have given the virtual component of my annual Pelotonia fundraising campaign.) This is how I got my start in Pelotonia, I signed up for the #MyPelotonia virtual event during the pandemic in 2020, in an effort to get out of my pandemic induced mental health rut. The following year, I rode in the traditional Ride Weekend, and have been doing both the ride weekend and virtual component ever since. All of this while raising money towards Pelotonia’s mission of #EndingCancer.

After running my previous Challenger Series after Ride Weekend during the past three years, I have decided to run this year’s Challenger Series from Day One, with four goals coming before Ride Weekend, and the remainder after. The first Challenger Series goal this year will involve my newly acquired Meta Quest 2 VR Headset and the exercise bike in my bedroom. The mission for goal #1 this year: complete 5 virtual rides on the VZFit Ring Racer app (available on the Meta Quest Store, don’t know about anywhere else.) The parameters are as follow: I have until April 19 to complete this goal, the routes must be existing in the app, (not my own creations-those I will use for my official indoor training rides). There will be distance requirements as well, the chosen route must have a minimum of 3 miles, and a maximum of 10 miles.

In short, being a Challenger virtual participant can give you the flexibility to participate in this event if you are not an avid cyclist like me, or if the participant wants to fundraise, but are unable to make it to Columbus, OH in early August for Ride Weekend due to distance or having other plans that weekend. It allows for participants to choose their own activities, such as walking, running, volunteering at a local cancer center. dancing or hosting an auction. Unlike the Ride Weekend (where the participant must be at least 14 years of age to participate) there is no age requirement to participate as a challenger. The only other requirement is to maintain a checklist on your fundraising page to check off once you complete your goal. A challenger participant only has to commit to raising a minimum of $100, but can set a higher custom goal if they desire (The minimum fundraising commitment for a Rider is $1,250.) More details can be found on pelotonia.org/fundraise.

I will reveal the next goal just prior to the start of the next phase of the series, which is scheduled to start the week of April 26, 2024. I will be posting updates on my social media pages, which you can access by clicking the icons at the top of the page.