NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Pelotonia has been a massive bike ride dedicated to beating out cancer for several years, but Saturday morning, gravel riding is also supporting that same cause.

What You Need To Know

  • Hundreds of cyclists are participating in Pelotonia’s inaugural Gravel Ride Day

  • All proceeds from the event help fund cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital

  • One of the riders, Kurt Mueller is a cancer survivor who shares his story of beating the odds of cancer

It’s the Pelotonia’s first-ever Gravel Day Ride.

Kurt Mueller is one of the hundreds of cyclists participating.

"At least when it comes to cycling, I enjoy the freedom it gives,” said Mueller.

He’s been riding in the Pelotonia bike rides for five years and now he’s challenging himself to finish Pelotonia’s 20-mile Gravel Ride. All proceeds from Pelotonia rides fund cancer research — something that’s personal to Mueller.

“Back in 2017,” said Mueller, “I came back from vacation to Vietnam, and I had a hard time walking. At first, I thought I was out of shape.”

Mueller was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor, which is a rare form of testicular cancer, and his odds of surviving were less than half.

“An Oncologist told me that I had a 40% chance of living,” he said. “I wasn’t really scared of dying. I was scared of losing my friends and family.”

After spending 24 weeks undergoing chemo and surgery, Mueller says what saved him was mere luck.

“I lost all my hair,” he said. “I had neuropathy in my fingers and feet that eventually went away, and then I have just a long-term scar from when the surgeon removed the tumor. But then, all things considered, there are a lot of people who are not so lucky.”

And with every ride, Mueller often thinks of those still battling cancer: “I would say ‘don’t give up hope.'”

After being cancer-free for five years, Mueller’s now focusing his energy on the Gravel Day Ride.

Mueller said, “My goal is to complete it.” Pelotonia's first-ever gravel ride is taking place in Nelsonville.

All funds from the event support cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital.