After running a higly modified campaign for last year, I will return to the traditional fundraising campaign (with a few new twists) for 2026. While the overall theme is No Limits, I am basing the theme of my campaign on a question that I have asked myself over the years: WHY DO I RIDE? A question that took on greater importance last November when I saw first hand what tounge cancer did to one of my mom’s co-workers.

With that, I am officially announcing that I will be riding in this year’s Pelotonia Ride Weekend that will take place from July 31-August 2. This year, I will ride the 23-mile route from Downtown Columbus to New Albany on August 1, 2026. My fundraising goal for this year is $1,250. The birthday weekend virtual ride that I did last year will be returning this year as well, and that will take place the weekend of September 27-28 (with September 27 as the designated make up day in the event I am unable to ride on August 1.)

In addition to returning to ride weekend in person this year, I will be participating as a challenger (the stuff I can do on my own time while fundraising.) In a better effort to manage my time and resources this year. I will be conducting three separate events throughout the campaign. This is the plan as follows:

• 2026 Launch (Spring) Challenger Series: March 1-April 30
• 2026 T-Shirt Fundraising Challenge and Bonus Challenger Goals: May 1-July 17
• 2026 Momentum (Summer) Challenger Series: August 4-September 7
• 2026 Home Stretch (Fall) Challenger Series: September 21-October 15

This year will mark the first time that I will volunteer with Pelotonia. I’m planning to volunteer at a couple of events in the lead up the Ride Weekend Opening Ceremony as my schedule permits. I am also confirming that I will be volunteering at the newly launched Pelotonia Kids event scheduled for July 11 in Hilliard, OH. I’ll have more details as we get closer to the event.

As this is a fundraising event, all proceeds of any fundraising that I do benefit Pelotonia, the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at Ohio State, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital (for Pelotonia Kids). More details regarding my participation in this event can be found here: https://my.pelotonia.org/profile/CC0398. If you have any questions, refer to https://www.pelotonia.org/faq.