Cyclists ready to roll against cancer
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
More than 180 cyclists will don
spandex and hit the saddle for
a daunting seven-day cycling
journey from Staten Island to Niagara
Falls on Sun., July 28, in a race to fi ght
an even more grueling challenge —
cancer.
The 540-mile annual Empire State
Ride was conceived in 2014 by Terry
Bourgeois to raise funds for cancer research
— and has grown exponentially
since his inaugural ride, he said.
“Every year, this ride brings its participants
an experience that will stay
with them the rest of their lives,” Bourgeois
said. “We keep saying it’s a ride
cyclists must try once in their lives, but
the impact — on you and on cancer —
increases exponentially the more you
do it.”
This year, organizers hope to raise
more than $1 million from riders and
sponsors — which will go to supporting
cutting-edge cancer research at
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer
Center in Buffalo, according to the organization.
Riders push themselves to the physical
limits during the exhausting crossstate
cycling trek, but fi nd inspiration
to keep pedaling from those who have
conquered cancer, according to one
First-time Empire State Ride participate Sari Schorr is gearing up for
the start of a seven-day journey across New York State, beginning July
28.
rider who will make his second voyage
this year.
“The idea of what they’ve gone
through — this ride is nothing compared
EMPIRE STATE RIDE
to hours of chemotherapy,” said
Brooklynite Phil Zodda. “I’m not a
cancer survivor, but when you’re riding
side by side with someone who has
gone through that, you can’t feel bad
for yourself — those mountains fl atten
out.”
After their exhaustive days fi lled with
nonstop riding, cyclists will make six
overnight stops along the meticulously
planned route at campgrounds in the
Hudson Valley, Albany, Utica, Syracuse
and Rochester until they reach the waterfall
wonder of the world on Aug. 3.
“It’s really more of an adventure as
opposed to a race,” Zodda said. “It’s
long and diffi cult, but I found it to be
extremely rewarding.”
Each night features a cancer-survivor
speaker who inspires their fellow riders
with their stories and speaks of the
importance of raising funds to combat
the disease — which claims the lives of
around 600,000 Americans each year,
according to government statistics.
“Cancer can hit closer to home than
we like,” said second-year rider Scott
Cohen from Fresh Meadows, Queens.
“I’ve battled several health issues for
many years, including a bout of skin
cancer… . I’ve lost several family members,
and have friends that have and are
fi ghting cancer.”
Schneps Media TVG July 25, 2019 11