Jeff Mead on Pelotonia Pride: Remembrance, Hope, and Progress

Jeff Mead’s mom, Joanie, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in April 2013 at 55 years old. She partnered with her oncology team at the OSUCCC – James and did everything she could. On her 56th birthday that December, her doctor told the family there were no treatment options left. She died exactly eight months after her initial diagnosis. “No one should have to endure this,” Jeff said. “The patient, family, friends. No one.” 

He started riding in Pelotonia in 2014 seeking some meaning in that loss, and it worked in ways he didn’t expect. Jeff sums up what Pelotonia means to him in three words: remembrance, hope, and progress. 

“Pelotonia has given me a purpose, helped me to grieve losing my mom, and connected me to a whole community that understands the cancer journey.” 

Jeff sees the same thing in Pride that he finds special about Pelotonia: community.

He loves wearing the annual Pelotonia Pride T-shirt to Opening Ceremony and beyond. “It’s the perfect way for me to represent that we’re all members of so many unique communities, and Pelotonia brings us all together under a singular, united goal of Ending Cancer.”

He’s clear about what connects Pride and the fight against cancer, too.

“Cancer doesn’t care about what you look like, where you’re from, or who you love,” Jeff said.

“As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know that as humans we are all so interconnected and motivated towards the same goals. We all just want the best for our families, our friends, the wider world, and ourselves — including a cancer-free world!” 

As a 12-year participant with the Simply Community Peloton, Jeff brings his full self to Pelotonia, and he doesn’t take that for granted. His husband Charlie has been one of his biggest supporters from the beginning and knowing he’s waiting at the finish line keeps Jeff pedaling through every mile of Ride Weekend. His husband, Charlie, has taken on the unofficial title of “camera crew” and takes the role seriously. 

Jeff’s favorite Pelotonia memory comes from his role as a Lead Volunteer. It was pouring rain at the Gravel Day finish line, and not a single Volunteer requested to get out of the rain. They stood there and made sure every Rider was individually handed their finisher medal. “They innately understood, regardless of the circumstances, the impact of being present and acknowledging every single Rider’s commitment as they arrived home to that finish line.” 

His advice to first-year Riders is one thing: be vulnerable. Be vulnerable enough to sign up, to commit to your mileage, to make the fundraising ask.

And to anyone who has yet to experience Pelotonia for themselves, Jeff promises that if you just sign up, you will not regret it.

“Whatever you think your Pelotonia experience will be like, your actual experience will exceed even your wildest expectations,” Jeff said. 

“You’ll quickly find that there is a whole community longing to support you, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.”