It was overwhelming to see Downtown Cleveland come alive before sunrise—not just with thousands of people, but with just as many bikes filling the streets. Still half-asleep from the night before, I geared up and had a successful ride that Saturday morning surrounded by inspiration, smiles and friendly faces.
Kickoff Party
VeloSano Bike to Cure weekend began that Friday night with the kickoff party presented by Adcom. Unlimited beverages, delicious catered food, interactive games and plenty of vendors populated Mall B. Anticipation and excitement were in the air—quite literally, as high winds that night blew my food and drink right off the table. After a few hours of fun, I headed home with my bag of acquired goodies and freebies to prepare for the next morning. After seeing so many people and bikes that night, I was left to wonder what the next morning would hold.
Ride Morning
I’m not an avid biker. I even had to borrow a road bike from a family member, and I didn’t own a proper water bottle. That’s what I appreciate most about VeloSano Bike to Cure—it’s for everyone. I was able to choose a distance I felt comfortable riding yet still challenged me. Distances ranged from 6 to 100 miles, so anyone from serious bikers to small children can participate. VeloSano gave great ride preparation instructions via email and social media days prior, so I was ready to go on Saturday morning. The mail-in box also equipped me with everything I needed weeks beforehand, including a cool jersey. I arrived at Mall B the morning of the ride with about 30 minutes to spare. I had a light breakfast and coffee and watched the longer-distance riders set off on their rides. Before I knew it, I was in my corral to begin riding.
Just a few months earlier, I stood in the exact same spot to run the Cleveland Marathon. The atmosphere was similar, but the mood was different. Riders weren’t weighed down by nerves; they were lifted by excitement. It felt less like a race and more like a community celebration—a reminder that endurance sports don’t just test our limits, they unite us around a shared purpose, too. This shared purpose was even stronger at VeloSano because every mile ridden was tied to the fight to end cancer.
On the Course & Finish
I chose to ride the 25-mile route, which took a scenic loop through the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. We rode through beautiful Shaker Heights, University Circle and even passed the Cleveland Clinic Innovation Center with a massive cheer crowd. My coworker and I rode together, and we saw many friendly faces on the course and at the rest stops. Rest stops were very helpful, as they were equipped with plenty of snacks, drinks, restrooms and volunteers for support. Most of the bike ride felt like a breeze until we hit the Lakefront Bikeway going west, with about 5 miles to go. I heard murmurs about challenging wind at this point, but I did not expect it to hold us back so much. I was so glad to be off my bike when we finished back at Mall B.
Like the Kickoff Party Friday night, there was plenty of food, drink and fun to be had after the ride. As the sun came out, I once again had some sustenance and visited different booths until I saw the rest of my teammates find their way to the finish line. When I got home around 1:00 pm, I took a predictably long nap.
More Than a Ride
I originally signed up for VeloSano simply because I enjoy bike riding, but this experience turned out to be so much more than just a ride. Being surrounded by a community united in one mission—raising funds to fight cancer—made it an unforgettable experience. 100% of proceeds are donated to Cleveland Clinic research to end cancer. For me, VeloSano was more than just a fundraising event. It was a celebration of community, hope and determination.
