Packing The Peloton With Riders

When Eric Wunderlich speaks to a group of potential Pelotonia peddlers, he doesn’t see a pack of people – he sees dollar signs. Big, green dollar signs.

Here's Eric at work - talking to a room full of potential Pelotonia riders. This is actually the office of OSU Prez Gordon Gee and several members of his staff have since signed up to ride

“When I look at you guys, I see $2,000 apiece … for cancer research,” Pelotonia’s director of rider recruitment said at a recent gathering at Ohio State.

The average Pelotonia rider, Eric explained, raises $1,986 – and every single cent goes to fund cancer research.

Eric’s hard work – which includes scores of recruitment meetings at Central Ohio (and beyond) places of business – has paid dividends. We’re over the 3,100 rider mark and are certain to hit 4,000 … and 5,000 is possible.

Not bad for a Michigan man.

That’s right, Eric is a U. of Michigan graduate and was a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic swimming team. His wife, Ann Grossman (now Wunderlich), is a former professional tennis player who grew up in Central Ohio.

They have two children, Fletcher, 9, and Ty, 5.

“We’re lucky, neither one plays tennis or swims,” he said.

Give them time!

Eric grew up in Atlanta and remembers the 1984 Summer Olympics.

“I remember watching Rowdy Gaines win the 100 freestyle and the Americans beat the Germans in a relay, which was one of the most exciting races ever. I wondered what it took to get on an Olympic team. I had no idea 12 years later that would be me.”

Celebrating a silver medal at the 1994 World Championships

Although he was a medal contender, Eric finished 7^th in the 200-meter breaststroke, in part because he swam with a punctured eardrum.

“I was a little distracted, which I guess is an understatement,” he said. “It’s hard to focus when you’re worried about blood leaking out of your ear.” Not to mention the pain.

His swimming career came to an end after the Olympics – and Eric spent some time traveling with Ann, who was still on the pro tennis tour. She retired in 1998. They lived in Colorado and Eric eventually got a job with USA Swimming and then for Day Runner, the company that produces calendars and organizers.

“And like most former swimmers I put on 60 pounds,” Eric said, adding he eventually took a good look at himself in the mirror and decided to get back into shape. He began running, did a marathon, then a couple triathlons – and found he really enjoyed cycling.

“I’ve only had a road bike for about 15 months and I’m still figuring out all about cycling,” he said.

Eric and Ann moved to New Albany in 2007, when Ann accepted a job as the tennis pro at the New Albany Country Club. Eric soon landed a job with NetJets, where he was involved with the company’s Pelotonia commitment. However, as part of a large workforce reduction, his position was eliminated on Sept. 11, 2009.

A few months later, Pelotonia was looking for someone to handle the all-important job of rider recruitment.

“It was a natural fit,” Eric said. “I had been involved with Pelotonia from the start and I had become an avid cyclist.” Ann’s father died about 20 years ago from cancer.

The success of the first Pelotonia has made Eric’s job a lot easier.

“To be honest, last August a lot of people in the Columbus area had no idea what Pelotonia was,” he said. “Then the first ride was so successful, and Lance came and there was all this attention on Pelotonia. Now, everywhere I go, people have heard of Pelotonia and want to get involved. It’s something cool and unique and important to Central Ohio; that’s the resounding chorus I hear from people.”

Eric’s days are spent at meetings, where he explains the Pelotonia mission and answers questions from potential riders and volunteers.

Fletcher will be riding in Pelotonia - and maybe even the Tour de France one day. He's got very athletic genes - and so does his younger brother

“How do you get back from Athens,” someone asked him at the recent Ohio State meeting, and Eric explained the shuttle system that ferries riders and their bikes back to the start.

“And if you’re staying in the dorms in Athens, don’t forget to bring a pillow,” he said, adding he forgot last year and had to improvise and wrap a towel around his dirty biking clothes.

Eric is outgoing and enjoys talking to groups and spreading the Pelotonia mission. But in the end, it all comes down to dollar signs. He also spends a lot of time explaining to people how to raise funds – and that it is not as hard as they may think.

And, of course, he keeps seeing those wonderful dollar signs.

“If I can sign up five people, that’s $10,000 for cancer research,” Eric said … and then headed out to another meeting to find five more riders, and five more and…

10 things about Eric …

Favorite ride

Pelotonia

Dream ride

Down the Champs Elysees on the final day of the Tour de France

Eric also has a special Pelotonia cruiser

Current Pelotonia bike

Giant TCR 2 and Cannondale Slice time trial bike

Dream bike

Ecstatic with the two I have

Favorite movie

Highlander

Favorite band/singer

R.E.M.

Favorite TV show

Lost

Favorite book

American Psycho

Favorite athlete

Daley Thompson

Favorite post-ride meal

Donatos pepperoni and mushroom pizza

Promoting Pelotonia

On the Friday of the inaugural Pelotonia, Jessica Kinman spent most of the day holed up inside the Chemical Abstracts complex, working with the media and taking care of the scores of details that needed to be handled.

And yes, the stress level was high for Pelotonia’s director of publicity and communications, who had graduated from Ohio State only months before and had invested a lot in this new venture.

That's Jessica on the L, with Kelley Griesmer, Pelotonia's director of operations

“We had been so busy building this up, we’d had so many meetings and had told so many people all about what Pelotonia would be like, even though we didn’t really know for sure,” Jessica said. “Sometimes you’re so busy with all the details you lose sight of the actual event.”

And then, in the midst of the opening ceremonies, as she continued to organize and take care of details, Jessica took a quick look from backstage out across the wide expanse of lawn – which was covered with thousands and thousands of people. There was music playing, Lance was there, people were eating and having fun.

“I literally started crying,” Jessica said. “I looked at Tom (Lennox, Pelotonia’s executive director) and we both said, ‘we did it.’”

******

Jessica grew up in Dublin and headed to Ohio State with an eye on either teaching or marketing/public relations.

Eventually she chose the communications field, helped in part by a wonderful experience as an intern for Lifeline of Ohio, a nonprofit organization that promotes organ and tissue donation.

“I loved working there,” Jessica said. “You don’t make a lot of money working in the nonprofit world, but a lot of good comes from it. One person (who signs up as an organ and tissue donator) can save eight lives and there’s over 100,000 people waiting for life-saving transplants. That’s the same as if you filled up Ohio Stadium.”

Hey, it still sounds as though Jessica’s working for Lifeline!

After she graduated, in only three years, Jessica accepted a fulltime job at Lifeline – and several months later heard about this new bike ride, fund-raising nonprofit organization with the strange name.

“We must have talked five or six times and Tom offered me the job,” Jessica said, adding it was a tough decision to leave Lifeline.

“My dad told me I was nuts,” she said. “I had a great job and loved the people I worked with. There was no guarantee Pelotonia would work, but I had confidence that the people behind it, Tom and our board and our funding partners, wouldn’t let it not succeed and cancer is something that’s affected my family. And, no risk … no reward.”

The rewards have been ample, Jessica said, and so have the numbers of hours she and the rest of the Pelotonia staff have devoted to making it all come together. Jessica is responsible for marketing and communications duties, and also handles some rider recruitment.

Here's Jessica with Juli Capani, Pelotonia's volunteer director - and her riding/training partner

The goal for the first ride was 2,250 riders … and Jessica said she and the rest of the staff would check the rider count on the website dozens of times a day.

“We wanted to get there so bad,” she said.

And, on the Friday of opening ceremonies, the final day to register … the number of riders went up and over the magic number and settled on 2,265.

This year’s goal was initially 3,250.

“But that changed when we got our new funding partner, Huntington,” Jessica said. “(CEO) Steve Steinour said he didn’t think our goals were aspirational enough, so now the goal is 5,000 riders.”

Huntington has pledged 1,000 riders.

And yes, once again, Jessica, Tom and the rest of the staff click onto the website five, 10, 15 times a day to check the rider count.

“Last year at this time I was in so many meetings and had to tell people what Pelotonia is, they never heard of it,” Jessica said. “Now, rarely do I ever meet someone who hasn’t heard of it. And if I’m out somewhere and wearing a Pelotonia shirt, people will come up to talk to me and ask if I’m riding or how I’m involved. It’s such a good feeling to be part of this.”

This actually means she’s doing a great job as publicity and communications director.

10 things about Jessica…

Favorite ride

Pelotonia and along the Olentangy path

Dream ride

Napa Valley

Current bike

A Giant Avail

Dream bike

A Huffy

Favorite movie

Billy Madison

Favorite TV show

Private Practice

Favorite book

Tuesdays With Morrie

Favorite musician/group

John Mayer

Favorite athlete

Jessie Owens

Favorite post-ride meal

Corn on the cob

A Big Hug For Kelley

By the end of last year’s Pelotonia ride, let’s just say Kelley Griesmer – Pelotonia’s director of operations – was a little bit frazzled.

“The whole thing was surreal,” she said of putting together this logistical high-wire act. “And putting it together in 10 months, a major event like this, well … there were a heck of a lot of details and I’m a detail person.”

And then, at Slate Run, as the 180-mile riders finished, something happened that made it all worthwhile, and was yet another reminder of why Kelley gave up her successful law career, took a huge pay cut and took a chance with a brand-new, fund-raising ride with an unusual name.

That's Kelley on the left, with Jessica Kinman, Pelotonia's director of publicity and communication. They sort of look like sisters, don't they?

“This guy finished and got off his bike … and came over and hugged me,” she said. “I didn’t know him and I don’t know how he knew who I was. It was amazing that someone would do that and express their thanks for something I thought I couldn’t get my arms around.”

But this anonymous – and appreciative – rider was sure able to get his arms around Kelley, who said this wasn’t something that happened very often during her long legal career.

And now, as Kelley and her crew of Pelotonia staffers and army of volunteers prepare for the second annual ride, she promises improvements galore and an even better and more rewarding experience for everyone.

Kelley grew up in Akron, and attended Indiana University with the idea of becoming a journalist. After a career change of heart, she ended up at Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law. On her first day of class she found herself sitting between Greg Gorospe and Liza Kessler. One she married, the other became her best friend. And as fate would have it, Liza is the sister of Tom Lennox, Pelotonia’s executive director.

But I’ll get to that in due time.

Kelley, Greg and Liza all eventually wound up at the Columbus office of the Jones Day law firm – and all eventually made partner. Kelley enjoyed practicing law, but yearned – that’s right, she actually yearned – for something more.

“The older I got, the more I realized that it’s been a fun ride, but it’s not what I set out to do,” she said.

Speaking of fun rides…

Through Liza, Kelley knew and hung out with Tom Lennox – who in 2008 was named executive director of this new Pelotonia fund-raising ride – and had to quickly put together a staff.

“We were all at a Dave Matthews show and another friend, Kristen, said to Tom that you should talk to Kelley about working for you,” Kelley said. By the way, she’s a HUGE Dave Mathews fan, but more on this later.

They began to meet and talk about it, with Kelley interested, but concerned about making such an abrupt career change.

Kelley's on the left, Pelotonia ED Tom Lennox is in the middle, and Jessica is on the right

“In the end I realized I never set out to make the big bucks and my husband was very supportive,” she said. “We said, ‘Can we afford this?’ We didn’t live an extravagant lifestyle, but we have a 7-year-old son and we said, ‘Can we still give him an education?’”

The answers to all these questions were eventually yes – and Kelley took a deep breath … and made the leap.

“I knew it would work and we’d be OK,” she said. “It’s really paid off and I’m so much happier doing what I’m doing.”

And what she does is plan, think about planning, do some more planning and organizing … and then replan and plan some more – and work with Pelotonia’s fulltime staff and volunteers.

“My role is to think about and plan for the entire weekend and make sure the rider experience, from the minute they register until they get off their bike at the end and even the next two months when they continue to fund raise, that the experience is a high-quality and carefree as possible.”

This means organizing everything, from the portable toilets (there will be 275 this year) to the food all along the route, to making sure the tents (about 25) are set up, getting all the necessary permits, working with about 10 different police departments who will be stationed along the route and making sure bikes and bags and secure and where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be.

And yes, there were a few problems last year: there were so many enthusiastic, encouraging volunteers in front of the entrance drive to the first rest stop that many riders missed the rest stop; there weren’t enough toilets at the second rest stop, some bags went to the wrong dorm at Ohio University and there wasn’t any coffee on Sunday morning in Athens.

“The thing that was amazing is that everyone was so forgiving,” Kelley said. “They could have chewed me out and didn’t and I think it’s because everyone was there for a reason, a cause, and that was more important than all the little things.”

But with a year’s experience under her belt, Kelley and her crew are determined to reach a state of near perfection and be on top of every single little – and big – thing. They have updated and improved the tagging system for the bike corral and bags being sent to Athens, there will be even more toilets, the volunteers will be more organized and experienced, there’s a new 75-mile route and riders will be pampered even more.

And yes, there will be coffee in Athens on Sunday morning!

“There was a miscommunication,” Kelley said of coffeegate, a problem between the vendor and the Pelotonia staff. And no, the coffee vendor wasn’t Bob Evans, which donated all the food for Sunday morning’s breakfast in Athens, but was not responsible for bringing coffee.

“They were so generous and this year they are working with us to make sure we get coffee,” Kelley said of the Bob Evans people.

As is the case for so many Pelotonia riders, the entire weekend has become a family tradition and bit of a reunion. Greg will volunteer and ride, Kelley’s mom and dad will volunteer again, as will her brother and sister-in-law.

“They did all the jobs I needed someone to do, whenever I needed them,” Kelley said of her personal staff of volunteers.

Dreams do come true! That's Kelley on the left, Dave whats-his-name (OK, Matthews) in the middle, and Kelley's friend Kristen on the right

Kelley has one more item on her wish list for Pelotonia – and it’s the Dave Matthews Band. She’s a total Dave fanatic, and has seen him perform live 86 times – a total that will be up to 92 by the end of this year. Her Pelotonia office is plastered with Dave posters.

“At some point my goal is to have him perform at our opening ceremonies,” she said.

Hey, maybe Dave will give her a hug.

10 Things about Kelley….

Favorite ride

Pelotonia

Dream ride

Napa Valley

Current bike

Giant Avail

Dream bike

A Ridley

Favorite movie

Anchorman or The Hangover

Favorite TV show

Lost

Favorite Book

The Secret Life of Bees

Favorite musician/group

Dave Matthews

Favorite athlete

Jody Shelley

Favorite post-ride meal

Pepperoni pizza and Coke with real sugar

Building a Better Bike Ride

This is the second of a 2-part series about Tom Lennox, the executive director of Pelotonia – and a cancer survivor.

Part 1: A Day to Remember (yesterday)

Part 2: Building a Better Bike Ride (today)

Tom Lennox and his Pelotonia team weren’t interested in putting together just another fund-raising bike ride. They wanted to create something unique, something special for the riders and the entire central Ohio community.

“It’s all about delivering an experience,” said Pelotonia’s executive director, – who is also a cancer survivor. “And not just the three-day weekend of the ride, but throughout the entire year – and that mindset manifests itself in everything we do.”

It’s about bringing people together to challenge themselves to ride further than they thought they could ever ride – and do it for a great cause: cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

“The fact that 100 percent, every cent, that our riders raise goes to cancer research is so important and crucial,” he said.

The goal Tom was given by the Pelotonia board for the first ride was 2,250 riders and $4 million.

This was a lofty goal for a first-time ride – and 20 or 30 times a day Tom checked the rider count on the Web site, watching it inch up and up and up.

“I always thought we’d get there,” he said. OK, he admitted, there was a little bit of uncertainty. “But I knew that even if we only got 1,900 riders or 2,100 riders it would still be a success. At the end it was close, but we went over the hump the final week and had 2,265 riders.”

And these riders raised $4.5 million.

This year’s goal is 3,250 riders – and $6 million. And once again Tom is checking the rider count on an hourly basis – and optimistic the goal will be met and surpassed.

Not everyone can pull off white pants

And this year’s ride, he promised, will be even better.

“I think Kelley (Griesmer, Pelotonia’s director of operations) did an amazing job, and with a few small tweaks we think we can make the experience even better.”

One of the tweaks will be coffee!

Due to some problems there was no java Sunday morning in Athens.

“And you really need coffee if you’re about to ride 75 miles,” Tom said.

Other improvements will be larger rest-stop areas to accommodate all the riders. And Tom and Kelley are working on ways to improve the start, which was a little congested last year – or “bunchy” according to Tom. A solution is to spread out the start more and the possibility of changing the route for the first few miles to larger, wider roads.

Other changes include a new Canal Winchester to Athens (75 mile) route and a Canal Winchester to Athens and back to Columbus ride (150 miles). The goal is to give riders more options and also to have more riders finish day one in Athens.

“I think we have something special in Athens,” Tom said. “Ohio University has given us their entire campus and we want to drive all that emotion and excitement to Athens. There’s nothing better and more rewarding than riding any distance, but especially 75 or 100 miles, toiling through the Hocking Hills, and to get there and have a cold beer with the other riders. It’s a great feeling, a sense of accomplishment, especially when you know you’re not doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for everyone. It’s a great celebration of people who understand why we’re doing this.”

The first Pelotonia ride was an emotional experience for Tom – for many reasons. He and his crew had pulled it off; the ride was a huge success and the foundation was firmly in place for continued success – and millions and millions of dollars for cancer research at The James.

But the ride also had an even deeper, more personal impact on Tom.

“Being a cancer survivor is a fraternity you never want to be in,” he said. “But when you are in it, there’s a reward when you are around people who understand what it’s all about. There’s a great strength and a special feeling being around other survivors.”

10 things about Tom…

Favorite ride

Pelotonia

Dream ride

Tuscany, Italy

Current Pelotonia bike

Trek Madone

Dream bike

Pinarello Prince

Favorite movie

Midnight Run

Favorite band/singer

Dave Matthews

Favorite TV show

24

Favorite book

John Adams

Favorite athlete

Derek Jeter

Favorite post-ride meal

Steak and fries

A Day To Remember

This is the first of a 2-part series about Tom Lennox, Pelotonia’s Executive Director – and a cancer survivor.

Part 1: A Day to Remember

Part 2: Building a Better Bike Ride (tomorrow)

Oct. 24, 2008 was supposed to be a great day for Tom Lennox, Pelotonia’s executive director.

It was the day the Pelotonia office opened; literally the first day of the rest of Tom’s life, with an exciting new career and mission on the horizon.

But early that morning, as Tom was getting dressed and ready for work, a call came in from one of his doctors: the results of his CAT scan were in – and weren’t good.

“They told me my cancer had returned … that I had lesions on my liver,” said Tom, who had been diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2007. He’d undergone radiation and chemo treatments, surgery to remove 15 inches of his colon and then more chemo. When all of this was over, he was told the cancer was gone, but to come back every year for a CAT scan.

The timing of the news that October morning seemed particularly cruel and ironic – but cancer is evil that way, and likes nothing more than to destroy lives.

Tom’s prognosis wasn’t good: mega doses of chemo and then surgery if he responded well to the chemo.

“We told the kids,” said Tom, pausing to collect himself. He’s normally never at a loss for words, but all of a sudden – talking about that terrible day – he struggled to control his emotions and find the right words. “That was tough, very, very hard. They don’t deserve this … nobody deserves this … but we told them because you have to tell them.”

Tom and his wife, Jane, have three children, Charlotte, 12, Liza, 10, and Thomas, 8.

“I kept thinking about Jane and the kids and what their lives would be like without me,” Tom said.

Four long and difficult days later, Tom had a PET scan, a more detailed scan in which radioactive dye is injected into the body, which in turn lights up whenever it comes in contact with cancer cells. The purpose was to show Tom’s doctors where in his body the cancer had spread – and help them determine their course of treatment.

“We were driving home (after the PET scan) and my doctor called and said it was negative; I didn’t have cancer,” Tom said. His doctors still aren’t sure, but think the lesions may have been caused by the chemo treatments.

And yes, there was a relief and a sense of optimism after the good news, but it didn’t mean Tom’s worries were over.

“Everyone who’s had cancer thinks about it every day of their lives,” he said.

Working on Pelotonia has helped Tom, who is 43, get through some of this uncertainty and anxiety. He’s also become a triathlete and will compete in the Gulf Coast Triathlon (1.2 miles swim; 56 miles on the bike; 13.1 mile run) on May 8. Working out, Tom said, helps him physically, but even more so mentally. “Any day I work out before I come into the office, it’s invariably a better day.”

***

Back in 2007, when he was initially diagnosed with cancer, Tom was the VP of corporate communication for Abercrombie & Fitch – and already thinking about a career change.

“I had this thought that I wanted to do something else, that I didn’t want to be sitting at this desk for the next 25 years,” he said.

But what?

Tom and his family love New Albany, where they live, and Columbus, and didn’t want to move, which limited his career options.

And then a friend called and told him about this new idea for a fund-raising bike ride that would benefit The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

Tom was interested, but not exactly foaming at the mouth.

“It created some interest, but it was by no means a no-brainer,” he said.

And then he started talking with Mike Caligiuri, head of The James, and Cindy Hilsheimer, the founder of SC Search Consultants and a member of the Foundation Board at The James.

“And the more we talked, the more interested I became,” Tom said. He was eventually offered the job – and accepted.

“Hiring Tom was a no brainer, it was like, done, next problem,” Mike said.

And the next problem was, starting from scratch: Put together in little more than a year a first-class ride that would attract more than 2,000 riders and raise at least $4 million. And create an overwhelmingly positive experience for the riders and a community of cyclists determined to beat cancer.

Is that all?

Part 2 of this series – how Tom and his team built Pelotonia – will be posted tomorrow.

We Want You For Juli’s Army

There could be no Pelotonia without the small army of volunteers who do such a wonderful job taking care of – and pampering! – all us riders.

They were amazing last year: helpful, friendly, committed and caring.

And now, registration for this year’s army of 1,600-plus volunteers is open. If you’re interested in being a Pelotonia volunteer, or know someone who is, you can sign up online at: http://www.pelotonia.org/ride/volunteer.jsp

Running the show is Juli Capani, Pelotonia’s Volunteer Coordinator.  Last year, Juli, a recent Ohio State graduate, was a volunteer and helped out during opening ceremonies in Columbus and in Athens at the end of the 100-mile ride.

At the time, she had no idea she’d be in charge of Pelotonia’s volunteers a few months later.

“I started working at Pelotonia part time in September and was looking for a job – and then they offered me this job,” Juli said. “I’m really excited, the volunteers are so amazing and so many from last year are coming back.”

How do you like them apples?

Juli’s Army includes about 45 Lead Volunteers, who will be in charge of all the different Pelotonia locations. They will meet on a regular basis with Juli over the next several months and – in turn – the Lead Volunteers will coordinate and prepare their Volunteer Team Members.

This year, volunteers will sign up for specific tasks on specific days, which, Juli says, will make Pelotonia more organized and rewarding for volunteers and, in turn, riders.

Some of the many volunteer jobs include: bike management, rider check in, dorm room management, warehouse crew, route signage and motorcycle support. Some jobs, such as first aid and mechanical support, require specific training and skills, but most require a willingness to lend a hand and be part of Pelotonia.

“It was a great experience and a lot of fun,” said Rod Loveless, one of the Lead Volunteers in Athens last year. “When we showed up, we weren’t exactly sure what to do and what to expect, but what happened was everyone was willing to stick around as long as it took and do whatever it took.”