Jake's Unbound XL Challenge

In 2019, I signed up for the 2019 Great Cycle Challenge. My goal was to ride 100 miles in June to fight kids' cancer. My dad passed away seven years ago, when I was 25, from lung cancer. Growing up, we built bicycles, rode motorcycles, went scuba diving, and both enjoyed being outdoors and exploring. I ended up riding 148 miles that June (a feat for me at the time) and raising $2,099.40 to end childhood cancer and save little lives! 

The following year, 2020, a pandemic hit, but I still decided that I needed to do an epic number of miles for a good cause. Leaving the Northernmost point of NY, I traveled to the Southernmost over four days, traveling 422.68 miles and accumulating 31 hours of seat time. Over the few months prior, I was able to fundraise $5,515, donating proceeds to World Bicycle Relief to help mobilize rural frontline health workers worldwide.

These adventures made me realize that the unbeaten path is worth taking. We are often so quick to reply to an email, demand an answer from a client, or rush to a dinner date that we forget to slow down, to put our phones down and really see the world around us, and to breathe. It is a reset, a purge, and a blessing to take a break, a break that’s certainly not awarded to everyone in our society.

So, here we are in 2022, and I am once again planning to ride in memory of my father and my aunts, uncles, grandparents, extended family, and friends who have also fought cancer. My dad was always a "kid" who loved riding bikes, appreciated the simple things in life, and always had a can-do attitude. Even through his illness, he insisted on trying anything that might help because if it didn't work for him, maybe it would work for the next person. Riding for a good cause is my attempt to continue his legacy and help that next person. 

This June, I'll be riding the Unbound XL Gravel Event, and in less than six short months, I'll shred my tires to the tune of 350 EPIC MILES(!) on the sunbaked gravel in the heart of the Flint Hills, Kansas. For 35 hours, I'll challenge myself, inspire myself — and, let’s be honest, I'll probably downright hate myself. But, not to worry. I believe in myself, and with your help, we can conquer this unmatched off-road challenge and help support The American Cancer Society, whose mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. I am trying to raise at least $3,500 dollars or $10 dollars for every mile and donate that to The American Cancer Society. None of the money goes to me or my expenses, I am just using my platform to try and help raise money for a cause I believe in. 

This year alone, more than 600,000 Americans will die of cancer. That's more than 1,600 people per day. Through my fundraiser, the money I raise will help fund the critical programs and services that people count on every day.