This summer, we’re getting back on the road. Since 2012, the Less Cancer Ride has evolved from a few excited, dedicated advocates into an ever-growing community of cyclists who want to change how the world looks at cancer. We did it last year. and we’re hooked.
Less Cancer Founder Bill Couzens will do that to you. Miss a call from Bill, and it won’t be just one; he’ll try you again in five minutes, and when you answer, it starts; the enthusiasm, the panic, the passion for putting on a great ride that serves a crucial cause. It’s Bill’s magnetism that’s drawn in guys like Tom Petzold and Tim Pulliam to be a part of the Split the Mitt committee, charged with putting on one helluva show.
In previous years, Split the Mitt was a two-day marathon. Riding from Flint to Midland on Saturday, then remounting after a night in a tent for the trek north to Traverse City, the double century rides were challenging physically, but even more so logistically. As unforgettable as those rides were, the timing and scale limited how many people could join in, limiting the potential to raise cash to prevent cancer. That is, obviously, the priority.
In 2019, we’re adapting the ride to make it easier for more people to support our mission of cancer prevention. Starting and finishing at Cowell Cancer Center at Munson Medical Center, riders will be able to choose between a number of route distances that suit their skill and interest for the day. Picking a route won’t be hard; every course will head north into world famous Leelanau County, home to some of the best roads in the Midwest. With rest stops planned in Glen Arbor, Suttons Bay, and big picnic awaiting riders back in Traverse City, it’s a ride, and adventure, and a great cause all in one package.
We’re working on incorporating some of our favorite road and routes, including a sampling of the Pancake Ride, Cherry-Roubaix, and some of our favorite Saturday Shootouts. We’ll be finalizing a few of those routes and we’ll pass’em along when they’re locked in.
It’s not a race, it’s a journey. Go fast, go slow, but go with the confidence that your efforts to ride and fundraiser have a big impact on individuals, families, and entire communities around the nation and in forty countries around the globe. Simply by pedaling the path to prevention, you can make a difference in the fight against cancer. And hey, that’s pretty cool.
Treatment and cures have a noble purpose, but prevention remains an important and often neglected avenue to reduce the costs, pain, and impact of this disease right now, today, and in homes around the world. So many types of cancer are preventable. By legislating lawmakers, informing doctors, and supporting families, we can reduce how many people face cancer in the first place. That matters; illness should never shape the future for anyone. Help us bring our message to millions by signing up to enjoy an unforgettable day on the bike Sunday, June 9 in Traverse City, Michigan.
On Sunday, the fun doesn’t stop at the picnic. We’ll have live music at The Workshop, with 100% of donations going to Less Cancer. Expect great food stops and a number of supporting business and coffee shops with delicious goodies and treats to keep you fueled for a big day on the bike. You’ll want to save a little energy for that post-ride picnic, a part of the Cowell Cancer Center’s annual weekend to honor cancer survivors and the heroes who help heal.
Saturday’s ride will feature roughly 20-30 riders from Team Less Cancer, riders who’ve been a part of the mission and want to go big that weekend. We’re looking at it as riding to the ride; we need YOU in Traverse City on Sunday morning ready to rock!
Your registration fee goes straight to Less Cancer, and you can also ask friends and family members to donate to the cause as well. Our goal is to raise money and raise awareness to make real change in the cancer community and make prevention a priority.
Get signed up and make sure you eat a real big breakfast.