“I’d heard about the ride, because it’s big in Columbus,” said Few. “My wife, Quiana, works for Limited Brand, one of the ride’s big sponsors, and she’s a virtual rider.
“She encouraged me to do it last year, so I researched and found that 100 percent of the pledges raised go to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Then, I decided to do it.”
Few admits he’s never been much of a bike rider, preferring to run. “I had to buy a better quality bike than I had, then started a training program, trying to add miles to each nightly ride.
“I really enjoy biking now, so decided to double my commitment this year. It’s a two-day event, and the least a person can ride is 25 miles, but some ride 100 miles on Saturday, spend the night in dorms at Kenyon College, then ride 80 miles on Sunday.
“I’ll just be riding on Saturday.”
One of the main reasons that Few has increased his goal this year is the death of a family member from lung cancer last month. The Rev. Thomas Clay, a Dayton pastor who married Few and his wife, “was an elder in our family and a leader in the Dayton community. For me, this year’s ride will be a tribute to him.”
“This will be the longest ride I’ve gone on since getting into bike riding last year. It will be a challenge, but when I think about the cause, it’s a small price to pay for the people who fight with cancer, many losing the fight, on a daily basis.”
Pelotonia, started in 2009, raised 16.9 million dollars last year, with 6,212 riders from 42 states and three countries. It’s a grassroots effort with corporate funding partners that cover the costs, so that all funds raised can go to research.
To follow Few’s ride and fundraising, or to sponsor him, visit his site at www.mypelotonia.org, then search for Few’s name under “Profiles.”
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