August 22, 2017

 

chainbreaker

The Chainbreaker was a three-day event from Aug 11-13, 2017, which included a weekend of cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism. Riders were able to choose distances of 25, 50, 100, and 180 miles.  The Center for Immunology peloton was called the "Checkpoint Bikers" and included Elise Breed, Tucker LeBien, Mike Farrar, Ben Brian, Emily Truckenbrod, Tony Baughn, Kaylee Schwertfeger, Yoji Shimizu, Dan Mueller, Ryan Langlois, Tom Griffith, Chris Pennell, Geoff Hart, and Marc Jenkins. They have currently raised over $36,000. 

chainbreaker
Source: 
flickr-Chainbreaker ride

 

The inaugural Chainbreaker bike ride to create a movement to cure cancer occurred on August 11-13, 2017.  Every dollar that was raised will go directly towards life-saving cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota.

The Chainbreaker is not only a 3-day bike ride but a year-round mindset with activities set throughout the year. The final culmination is the 3-day celebration of cycling, entertainment, and volunteerism.  More than 1000 riders participated in the 2017 Chainbreaker which began at the Blue Cross Blue Shield campus in Eagan, MN. The riders followed 4 routes south-east toward Northfield, MN.  Riders who registered for the 25-mile route ended their tour with a breakfast finale on Saturday in Hampton, MN with live music. Those who chose the 50-mile route finished in Welch Village with lunch and two new musical acts. Riders going the 100-mile and two-day 180-mile route finished their tour Saturday on the campus of St. Olaf in Northfield, MN. The two-day 180-mile riders spent the night in the St. Olaf dorms, enjoyed a buffet breakfast Sunday morning before riding back to the Twin Cities finishing at Excelsior Commons on Lake Minnetonka. Lunch was provided along with live music. 

checkpointCheckpoint Bikers on their way to Northfield, MN 

The Chainbreaker is modeled after Pelotonia, a fundraiser benefiting cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) in Columbus, Ohio. Started in 2008, by colon cancer survivor Thomas Lennox, the Pelotonia attracts more than 8000 riders annually. In just 8 years the Pelotonia has generated more than $140 million for cancer research at OSUCCC. Now Thomas Lennox has brought the successful model to Minnesota.

The 2017 Center for Immunology peloton was called the "Checkpoint Bikers" and included Elise Breed, Tucker LeBien, Mike Farrar, Ben Brian, Emily Truckenbrod, Tony Baughn, Kaylee Schwertfeger, Yoji Shimizu, Dan Mueller, Ryan Langlois, Tom Griffith, Chris Pennell, Geoff Hart, and Marc Jenkins. They have currently raised over $36,000 for the cure, while the event itself has raised well over $1.2 million.  Contributions to the Checkpoint Bikers fund will be accepted until October 13, 2017, click here for your tax deductible donation.

Coverage included WCCO-TV, WCCO-Radio, KARE 11, Sun Post, Northfield News, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Belle Plaine Herald, Fox 21. Check out the Twitter # feed or view this video that captures the experiences from the weekend. 

Pictures used on this site were taken from the Chainbreaker flickr account, if you would like to see all the pictures from the three day event, see the Chainbreaker flickr site

 

Day One...50 miles later

pss 50mi 480x400  ljsscience                         

Celebrating 100 miles

                                    every$1  chainmgf 100

180 miles to end cancer

marc and ryanend of ridemarc