Ride 250 miles in two days, or 15 miles in one. Every mile matters in the fight to support cancer prevention with the Less Cancer Ride.

We’re going big for Less Cancer on June 9. The long-running Split the Mitt Ride has taken a new shape to make this vital fundraiser more accessible to more riders. Here’s the skinny on a big day of riding right here in Traverse City, Michigan.

First off, the ‘real’ big show is Sunday, June 9. With routes ranging from an easy Bingham and Back to a full 100 miles in Leelanau County, there’s a ride for everyone. And we really need everyone; with as many as 60% of cancers being preventable, the mission of LessCancer.org matters now more than ever. By riding, you’re contributing to reducing how many individuals, families, and communities are affected by this disease. A cure may come, but until then, cancer prevention remains an under-utilized and under-funded method of taking the fight to out of hospitals and into homes, where we can make real change by informing and supporting change.

A select few riders, however, are going bigger than ever. On Saturday, June 9, the core Less Cancer Ride crew will be busing to Midland before making the 150 mile ride back to Traverse City. The Saturday ride keeps the original ‘Split the Mitt’ blueprint alive, riding a neat line through the middle of the state. It’s no walk in the park, either. Our 20-ish person crew will be looking to average about 21 miles per hour over 3,000 feet of elevation to make it on time to party. All riders for Saturday AND Sunday are invited to swing by East Bay Park for paella, a few beers, and plenty of snacks to fuel up ahead of Sunday’s ride, too.

Depending on your distance, your Sunday ride will take off when YOU want, as long as you promise to be back at Cowell Family Cancer Center by 2:30pm. We’ll be taking a group picture at the 32nd Annual Cancer Prevention and Survivor’s Picnic to honor YOUR efforts to support Less Cancer and the people at the picnic. We can guarantee you a great meal and a firm handshake from the survivors, doctors, and support crew from Munson Medical Center. And you’ll deserve it, too.

Here’s the Keen/Kolo itinerary for the weekend. Even if you aren’t riding Saturday, or aren’t planning on doing 100 miles on Sunday, please consider joining for whatever distance you feel up to.

Saturday, June 8.

All Saturday riders need to reserve their spot in the van no later than June 1. Email Pulliam.

5 am. Depart East Bay Park.

7:30am. Arrive in Midland. Unload, air up, tires meet pavement.

8 am. Depart Midland.
3 pm Arrive East Bay Park, Traverse City.

3-5 pm. Paella, drinks, and fun for all courtesy of Aaron Powers and Keen Technical Solutions.

Saturday’s Route is available here.

Sunday, June 9.

All rides depart and finish at Cowell Cancer Family Center on Madison Street.

7 am. First 100 mile riders depart.

8 am. Keen and Kolo 100 mile ride departs.

All of the Sunday routes are available on Strava at the corresponding links below:

15 Mile Bingham and Back  https://www.strava.com/routes/17567305

30 Mile TART Ride To Suttons Bay and Back  https://www.strava.com/routes/17567271

60 Mile  https://www.strava.com/routes/19078882

100 Mile  https://www.strava.com/routes/17336164

Get your pals together and leave when you want to! All riders are encouraged to plan their ride to return to Cowell Family Cancer no later than 2:15 for a 2:30 group photo. Don’t miss it!

The fun don’t stop at the parking lot. Head over to The Workshop Brewing Co. Sunday for live music and drink specials, with 100% of donations at the door going to support LessCancer.

Register for Sunday’s ride here. Can’t make it? You can donate to the ride, to a fundraising team, or sign-up to ride whatever distance you like at home by registering as a Virtual Rider! If you’re really feeling nice, consider donating to my effort here.

Learn more about the cancer prevention mission at LessCancer.org.