First day of Pan Ohio Hope Ride stops in Valley City

LIVERPOOL TWP. — Cyclists supporting the fight against cancer stopped by Mill Stream Park in Valley City on Thursday as part of the first day of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride. Christopher Bowles from the American Cancer Society said cyclists will ride roughly 70 to 100 miles per day on the four-day-ride from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Riders left John Carroll University on Thursday morning on their way to the College of Wooster, he said. They will then travel from Wooster to Otterbein University on day two, from Otterbein to Wright State University on day three and from Wright State to Lunken Airfield on day four. "We have almost 300 riders," Bowles said. "Some of them are doing it virtually, some of them are riding all four days and some of them are doing one or two days. It's a mix of different riders depending on how far they would like to ride." The goal of the ride is to raise more than $1 million to support the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Cleveland. He said the Hope Lodge offsets the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis by giving those who have cancer free lodging. "If somebody finds out that they have to travel for their treatment, there's a lot of factors that go into it," Bowles said. "Knowing they have a free place to stay and that they're not going to get a hotel bill is a huge sense of relief. It's less money that they have to spend on gas and less money that they have to spend on lodging." The ride is open to cyclists of all levels, he said. There is a shuttle bus called the Pan Ohio Express that takes cyclists who do not think they can ride the entire day to the finish line. "For some of our riders that have been doing this now for 20 years, and they might be a little older, they may still want to participate, but they may not be interested in doing a full-day ride," Bowles said. "Knowing that this is available to them as an option is a great way for them to stay involved." The event is put on through the efforts of about 150 volunteers, he said. For more information about the ride, visit tinyurl.com/4tmwr9a5. "It's like a family reunion every year," Bowles said. "This is their one time that they get together, high-five, hug each other and ride next to each other for several days. They laugh, share stories and help make a meaningful impact for the American Cancer Society." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.