Riding a bike means more than pedaling to a photo-finish to WooMan Tour participants. The participants do it for a cause: To support their loved ones who have suffered from breast cancer. Developed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, the tour is beginning its fourth year this weekend.
Since its existence, the WooMan Tour has collected more than $50,000. Cyclists from all over Ohio have participated, and this year’s goal is to top 300 riders.
Greg Collins created the tour in 2010 in order to raise awareness of the battle against breast cancer. According to recent studies, about 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12 percent) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. (Information found on Breastcancer.org.)
WooMan is a term used to describe the two cities the tour connects. The race starts in Mansfield and ends at Collins’ Panera Bread cafe in Wooster. Cyclists have the option to ride a 20, 50 or 100 mile ride. Collins was the district manager for Panera Bread in 2010.
The ride has been developed over the last four years by collaborators Dave Kracker, Tricia James, of Wooster Community Hospital, and Bill and Jackie Buckwalter. Kracker is the founder of the Pat Kracker Cancer Fund in Mansfield. His wife, Pat, passed away from breast cancer. The Buckwalters are the owners of RideOn bike shop in Wooster.
Maura Teynor, a participant in this year’s tour, pedals her way to the cure for her third year. “My mother, mother-in-law, a sister-in-law and a friend are breast cancer survivors. The WooMan ride allows me to support and honor them. Watching my mom recover from a mastectomy was heart wrenching.”
Teynor rides her bike in her free time with friends and family. She and her sister rode in the Great Ohio Bike Adventure (GOBA) in 2009 and again this year.
The WooMan Tour begins for Mansfield and Wooster cyclists on Sunday at 8 a.m. at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory on 100 Reformatory Road in Mansfield. For Wooster starters, Buehler’s Milltown Store on 3540 Burbank Road will be the starting point.
“We already have over two hundred registered for the tour. We’re excited to see if we reach our goal of three hundred. People can still sign up on the morning of the race,” said Kracker.
If you are interested in pedaling for the cause this Sunday, be at either locations before 8 a.m. to sign up. For more information on the tour, check out their website.
