Sioux Thompson on Pelotonia Pride: Riding for a Sense of Belonging

Cancer has been present in Sioux Thompson‘s life for a long time, and in more than one way. Her mother died from lung cancer roughly four decades ago — her first close experience with cancer. Then her wife’s best friend died from colon cancer.

And Sioux has her own story. She is a kidney cancer Survivor. Her urologist and surgeon called renal cancer a “silent killer” because it often grows undetected until it is beyond intervention. Sioux is fortunate to have benefitted from research and advancements in early detection.

“I think about my mom’s awful struggle all the time,” she said, “and wish she could have benefitted from early treatment. 

Pelotonia is an active, tangible way I can help future cancer patients lead full, healthy lives.”

Sioux was a First-Year Rider in 2025, joining the Girls with Gears Peloton, and she rode mostly out of curiosity. At 73, Sioux wondered if she could prepare, train, and finish a Ride Weekend route.  

She and her spouse of 31 years, Betsy Gressler, had recently relocated to Ohio, and Pelotonia felt like a positive way to engage in the community.

“To me, Pelotonia means hope, community, and positivity. I am so impressed and encouraged that all these people – Riders, Hikers, Volunteers, staff, medical professionals – come together, work together, and sweat to improve our world!”

Betsy supported Sioux in all of her training and was there along the course to cheer her through every mile of that first ride. Biking toward the finish, she heard the announcer call her name, and it was the best surprise.

“It was such a complete rush to be announced to the finish line. I was grinning from ear to ear those last 100 yards.”

As soon as she finished and caught her breath, Sioux was so elated that she made up her mind in that moment that she’d do it again the next year. As a Survivor, she knows better than most what it means to be on the other side of something. 

For Sioux, Pride isn’t a celebration layered on top of her Pelotonia ride. It’s woven into her reason for being there. 

“Every mile feels like a small act of defiance against helplessness and invisibility. It’s a way of saying that this time, we show up. We fight. We are not alone.

Not just a rainbow flag on my jersey or on my bike, but the weight of memory and my stubborn insistence on hope.”