First SpokesKIDS ride raises thousands for Pelotonia

• About 58 kids rode in Granville's first kids Pelotonia ride, SpokesKIDS for a Cure.
• It's founder, Cal Schnaidt, 10, created the event in honor of his dad, David Schnaidt.

GRANVILLE – When Cal Schnaidt decided to organize SpokesKIDS for a Cure — a children's bike ride to raise money for Pelotonia — he thought it was just going to be him and his friends.

His goal was 20 kids.

So the Granville 10-year-old was blown away when 58 kids from all over central Ohio signed up and brought their bikes to Wildwood Park Saturday, ready to ride.

"I'm really happy," he said before getting on his bike. "It's for a really good cause."

Cal road from Wildwood Park to Apple Tree Auction Center on Saturday in memory of his father, David Schnaidt, who died of cancer on Sept. 1, 2013.

"I came up with this because I wanted to be like my dad," he said.

The co-owner of Apple Tree, David Schnaidt first battled cancer in high school. He was in remission for 27 years before doctors found tumors on his neck in October 2012.

After his diagnosis, Schnaidt started a team, Spokesmen for a Cure, to ride in the Pelotonia bike tour. The annual event raises money for cancer research at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cyclists have the option to ride 25, 50, 75, 100, 155 or 180 miles.

When Schnaidt died, his family and friends decided to continue the team in his honor.

Cal watched his mother Becky and sisters, Madeline and Gabriella, ride in Pelotonia in 2014. But since all riders have to be at least 14, he knew he wouldn't be able to join them for several years.

"He told me, 'There should be a Spokesmen for kids. Why isn't there?' " said his grandfather, Sam Schnaidt. "I told him, 'You could start one.' "

Cal thought about the idea for a while and then asked his mom whether he could start a kids bike ride to support their Pelotonia team.

"I thought it was a great idea, and we figured out how to make it happen," Becky said.

They planned the SpokesKIDS for a Cure ride exactly one week before the Pelotonia ride on Aug. 8.

"When cancer affects your family, you feel helpless," Becky said. "This can get you involved and you feel like you are making a difference."

Friends and family members helped with the logistics while Cal designed a logo and worked hard promoting the event. He talked to his friends and went door to door in his neighborhood.

Most kids didn't need much convincing to join him, Sam said. Some had lemonade stands and sold glow sticks to raise money.

"They don't want to lose a family member or a loved one to cancer," Cal said.

Cal's older sister, Gabriella, rode alongside the riders from Granville to Newark. She said she loved seeing all the kids wearing the T-shirts her brother designed.

"It just feels like we are so supported and loved," she said. "This right here, this is what community means."

After they finished their ride, the kids got to enjoy dinner and games at Apple Tree while their parents enjoyed an auction to raise money for Spokesmen for a Cure.

Sam said it's likely the SpokesKIDS event alone raised at least $6,500 for the team.

Cal said he's hoping to make the bike ride an annual event and wants kids in other areas to start their own.

He's looking forward to cheering for members of Spokesmen for a Cure when they ride through Granville on Aug. 8, knowing that he was able to help increase their fundraising total.

"I think my dad would be really proud," he said.

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries

Learn more

The Pelotonia bike tour kicks off the morning of Aug. 8, and riders will be coming through Licking County, with rest stops at Licking Heights High School, Granville High School and the Homer Public Library.

For more information or to support the ride, go to pelotonia.org.

For more information about Spokesmen for a Cure, go to mypelotonia.org/team_profile.jsp?MemberID=245477.