Community Stories
The Adventures of Dennis Jacob and Buddy the Bike
| September 19, 2025
Dennis Jacob’s journey with Pelotonia began not just as a cycling challenge, but as a deeply personal mission. In February 2016, Dennis underwent prostate cancer surgery. As he recovered, he set his sights on Pelotonia as both a goal and a symbol of hope.
“I used my first Pelotonia ride as motivation during my recovery,” Dennis said.
That same year, his boss and friend, Rick Germain, launched their company’s first Pelotonia team, offering teammates the choice between fundraising support or a gift card toward a proper road bike. Dennis, then only equipped with a hefty mountain bike, seized the opportunity for a new road bike, one that would become his steadfast companion, affectionately named “Buddy.”
During the next six years, Dennis and Buddy logged an estimated 14,000 miles and participated in seven Pelotonia Ride Weekends, tackling at least 100 miles each year. The pair shared countless moments: cheers from the crowd, laughter with friends, and even a few tears on the toughest stretches. These rides were filled with reminders of why Pelotonia matters: Survivors, patients, and families affected by cancer.
“That bike healed me, kept me sane. It made it possible for me to ride for those who can’t, and the people who love them,” he said.
Dennis, now a 10-Year Rider and Captain of the Germain Peloton, was gifted the bike of his dreams — a Trek Domane SLR6 — in 2023 by his brother and sister-in-law in memory of their daughter, Stevie Rae, a proud supporter of Dennis’ Pelotonia efforts. With the gifted road bike and a newly purchased gravel bike, space was getting tight, and Dennis faced a dilemma: what to do with Buddy? The answer came when he learned about the Pelotonia Bike Fleet. Although an emotional decision because Dennis had been through so much with Buddy, donating the bike meant it would continue its journey, helping others ride for a cure.
For Dennis, giving Buddy to Pelotonia is more than a donation; it’s a continuation of a legacy of hope, healing, and community. Buddy was welcomed with excitement into a new home for the 2025 ride season!
