This Sunday, I will be taking part in the Tour de Rhody, a bicycle ride that's not just another sporting event, but a ride with a mission. The reason I’m so passionate about this ride goes beyond just the important work being done in cancer research; it's deeply personal. Elisabeth, my riding companion of over a decade, lost her wonderful husband Dan to cancer earlier this year. Participating in this ride is one way we can honor Dan's memory together.
I ask for your emotional and moral support as Elisabeth and I pedal our way through miles, symbolizing our journey of friendship, remembrance, and hope. I know Dan will be with us in spirit, riding alongside us and giving us that extra push when the hills get steep.
Let's turn every rotation of our wheels into a revolution against cancer. Your support means the world to us and will fuel us during this special ride.
Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Best regards,
Katharine
Tour de Rhody #5
Tour de Rhody is a road and gravel cycling tour to support cancer research in Rhode Island. This year we will again start and finish at beautiful Salisbury Farm at 11 Peck Hill Rd. in Johnston, RI. The ride will take place on the morning of September 10, 2023, with a rolling start.
Rides range from around 15 miles on road or gravel to a full metric gravel century. There are pure road and mostly gravel (dirt roads that at time border on trail) routes. Routes can be challenging and the gravel routes explore historic areas around the Scituate Reservoir. These roads are closed to the public and the Providence Water Supply Board has graciously offered us one day access.
The ride supports the trials designed by the Brown University Oncology Group and the event itself is graciously hosted by the Lifespan Cancer Institute. These trials give patients access to groundbreaking new therapies and other new and emerging cancer treatments at various stages of diagnosis and across many cancer types.
In its first year in 2019, Tour de Rhody raised over $18,000. We continue to grow substantially each year with your support and by 2022 have raised over $400,000. Let's see where we can go from here!
Tour de Rhody has become a key fundraiser to support cancer research in Rhode Island. Since 2019, over $300,000 has been raised to support cancer clinical trials in Rhode Island designed through the Brown University Oncology Research Group. The Lifespan Cancer Institute graciously sponsors the event itself. Tour de Rhody supports investigator initiated trials, that is where physicians and researchers are the ones developing and designing the trials, that directly benefit Rhode Islanders. These trials lead to the discoveries advancing new cancer treatments and cures worldwide.