By Kate Bartlett
Jane Eshbaugh has been participating in the Empire State Ride for 7 years on the Holiday Valley team. She held the top fundraiser for two years with a grand total of $258,059 since 2018, with more money to come from this year. The Holiday Valley team has raised a total of $732,363 over the past 7 years; all funds fuel cancer research. This year, the ride starts on July 26 and concludes on Saturday, August 1.
The Empire State Ride (ESR) is a fully supported 7-day, 550-mile cycling adventure across New York from New York City to Niagara Falls. Cyclists ride an average of 79 miles per day to raise funds for cutting-edge cancer research at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY. The event typically reaches maximum capacity, but participants can also register for the 500-mile ‘Hometown Challenge’ or to ride the final 2-day stretch.
Jane has always enjoyed biking with her husband, Dennis, and friends, and decided to do the Empire State Ride after many years biking the one-day Ride for Roswell. “Our group became interested in not only expanding our ride distance, but our impact on cancer research,” explains Jane. “It sounded like a lot of fun, biking seven days in a row across our scenic state, and we could make a bigger impact raising money; it was a win-win.”
Four years after Jane began participating in the ESR, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “It came as a huge shock,” recalls Jane. “Suddenly cancer research became imperative to my medical journey, and my future, as I became a patient at Roswell.” Jane considers herself ‘lucky’ to be in the 2% that could be treated with immunotherapy and is in (hopefully) permanent remission. “With better research, cancer patients receive better treatment, better results and ultimately lead better lives; I’m a living testament to that research. It’s just incredible.”
The route starts in New York City on Staten Island, passing the Statue of Liberty on the Ferry to Manhattan, then rides up the Hudson River. Riders average around 80 miles per day, with some under and some 100-mile days, with overnights in Montrose, Rhinebeck, Albany, Utica, Syracuse/Weedsport (Speedway), Spencerport/Rochester and ultimately Niagara Falls. Camps are set up at each location creating a sort of ‘tent village’ complete with air mattresses, camp chairs, dining pavilion and shower truck. “It’s by no means luxurious,” laughs Jane, “but after riding all day, the showers and tents are a welcome sight.”
Each night after dinner, ESR provides a dedicated program focused on their mission to end cancer to help build a sense of community and keep riders connected to the cause. “These talks are incredibly informational and inspirational,” remarks Jane. “They’re quite possibly my favorite part of the ride. The programs remind us why we’re riding and the importance of cancer research.”
Cancer research is shared information, meaning the research discovered at Roswell is shared amongst other institutions. Every dollar raised by riders from the ESR is matched by $23 in grants for cancer research, making the impact even more powerful. Roswell currently has the largest clean cell room of any cancer research organization; this clean room was funded in part by the Empire State Ride. “Roswell is doing incredible things, and it’s an honor be able to help support this cause.”
This year’s Holiday Valley team is comprised of 10 participants including Jane, her husband, Dennis, Bonnie Koschir, Debbie Stein, Sean Crotty, Samantha Moroney, Kim Crotty, Dough Eberhard, Charlie Bailey and Ivan McTaggart. Jessica Dolly will join the team to ride for the last 2 days. Jane is currently the 5th highest fundraiser so far this year, with the Holiday Valley team in second place for fundraising teams.
To contribute visit EmpireStateRide.com, click on donate, and enter a participants name from Holiday Valley (above) to help fuel cancer research and support our local team. To participate, visit the website to sign up for alerts for next year, or find more information on how to participate in the last 2-day-ride to Niagara Falls.