Why

Why Ride 3,000 Miles Across America?

By: Jack Pouchet

The story behind my burning desire to take a bicycle and Ride Across America to Cure Cancer. Not that a single bicycle ride by any one person can bring about a cure for much of anything. But it can raise awareness of the challenges many of us face personally through cancer be it our own battle, now or in the future, a relative, friend, acquaintance, or perhaps someone we have already lost to cancer, like me. I lost my father to colon cancer (highly curable when detected early) and my mother-in-law to pancreatic cancer. A cancer diagnosis that sadly is grim news for most but there is hope we can develop mechanisms to detect this cancer much earlier than stage 4 or 5 as we do today.

To that end I am going public with my professional and personal contacts as I introduce my SMART goal to ride my bicycle cross-country in March – April 2026 with Cycle of Life Adventures. Via the southern route to be specific as it is shorter and ends very close to where my son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters live. Estimated dates: March 7 – April 19, 2026.

Let’s explore this goal – to ride a bicycle across the country to raise at least $50,000 for cancer research, treatment, and patient/family care.

Specific – I have committed to do the ride with Cycle of Life Adventures as part of their Spring 2026 Epic Tour, Southern Route. Although a tour I plan to ride each day as a stage race, for best personal time pushing myself, within reason, to see just what a senior athlete can do. In the process I am collecting a great deal of biometric / sports data to be shared with the medical research community. 

Measurable – the bike ride has a start/stop every day and a clearly marked finish line. Pacific to Atlantic Oceans. I plan to post my ride daily on Strava, so you can ride virtually with me, as well as post video/text updates daily. Much of which will be compiled at the end for a feature video and promotional use. 

All of the goals are easily measured and I plan to provide updated reports along the way. From raising $50,000 or more to help cure cancer to the ride itself, sponsorships, raising awareness for senior athletics and health in general, and hopefully being able to donate the bicycle that made the journey when I reach the other coast. These and other metrics will be shared in multiple forums and media. Please do hold me accountable. And I am looking for training partners! 

Achievable – when people ask me why do you ride? The answer is because I can. Lest that sound flippant let me share a brief moment in my life that looking back inspired me to be where I am today and is a core reason for why I am riding to find a cure. On my 40^th birthday my father said to me I know you and your wife enjoy cycling, working out, staying active and fit. I wish when I was your age someone had told me to keep moving. Instead, our generation was inspired to ‘age gracefully’ and now I can hardly walk around the block briskly. My advice to you is don’t stop. My mother then echoed the advice reminding me our family already has a propensity for a long life and I would enjoy mine a lot more staying healthy. My dad was 67 at the time – my age today as I make this commitment. I will be 68 in 2026 turning 69 on the ride.

The good news is countless numbers of people have made this ride in the past. I have excellent tour guides managing the logistics, hotels, SAG Wagon, meals, etc. The fantastic support of a loving wife and family. And countless friends who will keep me encouraged along the way. For me, this is more of a mental than physical challenge and I am completely energized at the prospects of completing this ride at a quick overall pace/time and double bonus of seeing my granddaughters when I get to St. Augustine, Florida!

Realistic – as with achievable, I have the abilities to do the ride. The bigger question, are you going to support me in reaching my fundraising goal of $50,000? I am kicking in the first $1,000. See my fundraising page for how you can start at a mere penny a mile. A dime a mile really gets things rolling! But don’t stop there. Did I hear a buck a mile?

Time Bound – this is the kick-off. My time constraints are the starting and finish line. You as a donner can join in at any time. The sooner and more often the better. Oh and I could use some training partners.

In summary, I am riding across the country in 2026. That commitment has been made. I know ask for your assistance with my fundraiser to cure cancer. Please contribute and spread the word to your friends, family, business community, cycling/sports friends, etc.

Thank you.

Jack

My mom and dad, miss them dearly.