Pan Ohio Hope Ride participants pedal through Holmes County
The 17th annual American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride rolled through Holmes County on Friday, July 21 as part of its fundraising trek that begins in Cleveland and ends in Cincinnati. Holmes County welcomed the riders with open arms and some Amish Country sweets and treats.
The 17th annual American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride rolled through Holmes County on Friday, July 21 as part of its fundraising trek that begins in Cleveland and ends in Cincinnati.
The Pan Ohio tour is a fully supported bicycle tour of the state of Ohio, benefiting the American Cancer Society. The excursion is a four-day ride in which cyclists of all levels and abilities age 18 and older are invited to join for one, two or all four days. Proceeds from this year’s charity cycling fundraiser will support the American Cancer Society’s only Ohio Hope Lodge, located in Cleveland.
Hope Lodge consists of more than 30 communities across the country that provide a free place to stay for family members of those who are undergoing cancer treatments, which allows people with cancer a chance to fully focus their attention on getting better while having support close by. These communities provide guest suites with private baths and spaces with all the comforts of home including a communal kitchen, dining area, laundry rooms, and places to gather or find a quiet respite, all at no cost to guests.
While the event spans the state, Holmes County plays an integral role in that trek as the bicyclists ride through the county along Holmes County Rails-to-Trails each year.
Well, almost every year.
“Unfortunately, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve been able to host the riders,” said Jen Halverson, Holmes County Park District director. “We went through the COVID years without it, and then last year we couldn’t do it because of the mess the derecho left behind, so we were excited to be back as part of the tour this year.”
Halverson said while neither the park district nor the Rails-to-Trails coalition members have to do much for the tour, they believe it is important to represent the goodwill and hospitality of the people of Holmes County by offering a stop on the tour that allows the bikers to rest, relax and experience a little taste of Holmes County.
She said they provide a bake sale and water stop where bikers can partake in some Holmes County favorites, like fry pies, cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and other baked goods.
Halverson said while the event coordinators provide snacks and beverages at each stop, the park district volunteers like the idea of adding some Holmes County flavor into the stop.
“It’s fun to go a little above and beyond what is expected, and we do have a little donation jug that they can donate to if they so choose,” Halverson said.
However, she said the morning gives her and her volunteers a chance to spread some old-fashioned hospitality, something Holmes County is well known for sharing with its visitors.
“We get a chance to share with some really great people who are passionate about what they are doing in raising funds for the American Cancer Society,” Halverson said. “They are riding a long way for a great cause, and to be able to host them just for a short time along their journey is a remarkable experience. It’s been such a blessing to get a chance to talk to such a great group of people, and they were very grateful that we were back for this year.”
She said there was one particular reason many of them were excited to see the park district stop return.
“I think a lot of them missed the fry pies,” Halverson said.
Halverson said while some of the park district’s events are difficult to put together, this is one in which they can simply put up a table with baked goods and other treats, sit back, relax, and wait for the bikers to roll through for a pit stop.
“We’re here at 7 a.m., and by 9 a.m. we’re done,” Halverson said. “There isn’t a lot to it other than for us to be grateful, hospitable and genuine in sharing with them.”
The tour began in Cleveland the day prior to them stopping in Holmes County. The tour members spent the night in Wooster before visiting Holmes County on Friday morning. They would eventually hit another Holmes County water stop in Glenmont and find their way to Mt. Vernon for the night. The tour would pick up from there and head southwest to Cincinnati.
Halverson said they chatted with most of the 200-plus riders involved in the fundraising event, and she said it’s heartwarming and fun to connect with the riders in what is a very light, satisfying morning.