VCU news

A farmer, a recent high school graduate, a physician, a cancer survivor and a teacher have been biking for two months on a cross-country journey from Oregon to Virginia to raise money for cancer research in Richmond.

The five cyclists will arrive this Saturday, Aug. 21, where a block party will celebrate their arrival before they set off on the last leg of the ride to Yorktown, with more than 50 Richmond riders in tow.

They braved rain storms, flats and hour-after-hour, day-after-day cycling to raise money for a cancer research fellowship at the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center. Rider Howard Smith, a Richmond farmer, is motivated to make the journey in remembrance of a good friend who died from cancer.

“I wanted to take on the challenge of riding every day and to make a difference for others,” he said.

The TransAmerica Tour known as Ride for Jim was created in the summer of 2008 by VCU Massey scientist Jack Haar, Ph.D., and his son, Philip, as a way to support cancer research in memory of their good friend and colleague, Jim Popp, who died of cancer in the summer of 2007. Created to “inspire a bright mind,” the fund offers a fellowship to a medical student conducting cancer research at Massey during the summer following their first year at VCU. Because of the sustained efforts of these dedicated friends, the James D. Popp Student Research Fund offered its first fellowship in 2010 to Kyle Kindley.

“I am grateful for the amazing opportunity I had this summer to gain hands-on experience in cancer research at VCU Massey Cancer Center,” said Kindley. “It has solidified my desire to become an oncologist and allowed me to take part in research on a special oncogene. I thank all involved for allowing me this valuable experience.”

The tour covers 4,000 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River in Astoria, Ore., to the mouth of the York River in Yorktown. “It’s literally a ride from sea to shining sea,” said 2009 Ride for Jim cyclist Charley Nottingham.  

Welcoming the TransAmerica Tour riders, the Richmond Rider Rally Block Party will feature live music by Kevin Davis and Ban Caribe, deejay Lite 98’s Bill Bevins, Q BBQ, Legend beer, Greater Richmond Pipes & Drums parade, a spin bike contest and silent auction. The fun starts at 5 p.m. Details and tickets for the block party are available at www.RideForJim.org.

The Ride for Jim journey will continue on Sunday. More than 75 additional bicyclists will join the original tour riders on the last leg. All are welcome to join the ride, which begins at 8 a.m. Details and registration for the Yorktown Finale Ride are available at www.RideForJim.org.