Everybody’s an Athlete — Yes, You Too!

The Less Cancer Bike Ride began with a couple of cyclists embarking on a 300-mile, two-day ride from southern Michigan to northern Michigan. Today the ride still attracts many dedicated, athletic cyclistswho ride the original route or elsewhere. However, since the advent of Covid-19, the event has evolved into a virtual bike ride involving cyclists in several states and at least five countries.

Personally, I love the fact that we’ve inspired so many people from diverse backgrounds with the shared priority of Less Cancer. Unlike a fancy, well-sponsored pharmaceutical or corporate event, the Less Cancer Bike Ride is a grassroots effort that has made significant changes on the cancer prevention front, lowering cancer risks and reducing cancer deaths.

One of the tenets of Less Cancer is that it should not cost you a fortune to help fight cancer. We also know that not everybody owns a bike — or can even ride a bike. That’s why, in an effort to provide access for more people, the event is evolving again this year. It is now Less Cancer Hike and Bike America 2023.

Some special funding this year makes it possible for people who otherwise might not participate to embark on their own wellness journeys, thereby taking a more active role in their own health and connecting with their communities in the process.

Statistics show that about half of Americans are not exercising, and many are sedentary. Less Cancer Hike and Bike America 2023 is an opportunity to get America moving for a great cause. There is strong evidence that higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower risk of several types of cancer as well as other chronic health issues. Cancers with a direct link to inactivity are breast cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney (renal cell) cancer, and stomach (gastric) cancer.

Help us inspire others to get out and move by organizing a group to hike or ride a bike. Join us if not to support a great cause — join because you deserve to have great health.

Everybody’s an Athlete — Yes, You Too! was originally published in Less Cancer Journal on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.