By Matt Faulkner My name is Matt Faulkner and three years ago, I embarked on my first Pelotonia, the grassroots bicycling tour that was established to raise money for cancer research at the OSUCCC – James. I joined knowing that I wanted to be a part of this movement. I joined Team Buckeye, OSU’s super-peloton but I still didn’t engage with the team much if at all. I fundraised alone, I trained alone and the experience was something that I took on as an individual. My ride was tough…not tough…excruciating. I quickly realized I hadn’t trained well enough and I didn’t prepare for the hills that exist outside of the flatness that is Columbus, Ohio. Even still, it was one of the best experiences of my life. When registration opened for Pelotonia 14, I knew immediately I would ride again, but I also knew that I wanted more out of my experience. I wanted to be more engaged with this compassionate community of riders. And it finally hit me – If I want to get more out of Pelotonia, I have put more into it. And with that notion, I decided to captain a Team Buckeye peloton. While many of my co-workers had participated in Pelotonia before, being on a peloton together completely changed our experience. The passion we had for raising money and riding as individuals grew exponentially when the team came together. “You are a Great American” is a phrase founded by one of our department’s senior leaders. You are a Great American – or – URAGA. You earn Great American status (or simply the acronym URAGA sent to you via email) when you go over and beyond the call-of-duty. URAGA status could be earned by stepping in to lead a last minute project or by simply bringing in a cold Diet Coke for this said senior leader. URAGA is the moniker and mantra of our Team Buckeye peloton, aptly named “The Great Americans.” Riding in Pelotonia is going beyond the call-of-duty. Not only are you subjecting your body to many miles on a tiny bike seat, but you are pushing yourself to raise money. A significant and impactful amount of money. So now, being a Great American is our rallying call. It has made our peloton stronger as everyone wants to achieve Great American status. We have an American flag in the office. We made team shirts. We do team fundraisers. There is so much energy and excitement surrounding our peloton that we have doubled our size in the past year! For me, becoming a team captain has been a highlight of being a part of Team Buckeye and Pelotonia. There are no credentials you need to be a captain. There are no particular skills or talents you need. You just need to have passion. Therefore, I encourage anyone wanting to form a peloton to do it. Step up. No one will stop you. And even if you don’t want to create your own, join a peloton and you’re destined to have a captain who is just as passionate as I am. My teammates are no longer just co-workers or friends. They are my support network and my extended family. My peloton motivates me to do more, to be better and to always keep one thing in mind…one goal: end cancer. To learn more about why Matt rides in Pelotonia, you can visit his Pelotonia page at or visit the Team Buckeye – Team Great Americans page.