Pedal the Cause is more than the region's top cycling event. It's a way of life, a celebration, and a movement fueled by the courage to end cancer. 100% of participant-raised funds support innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Those early-stage cancer research projects are changing the narrative on the road to end cancer.
The Pedal the Cause Kids Challenge gives kiddos ages 3-13 the opportunity to join the fight against cancer in an impactful, meaningful way. With registration, each child receives a personalized fundraising webpage to raise money for critical cancer research. As with the main event, 100% of every dollar raised by participants funds vital adult and pediatric cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Pedal the Cause’s Ride for a Child program pairs teams that are fundraising to end cancer with pediatric oncology patients who are actively going through treatment at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. For participating children, Ride for a Child offers an exciting distraction from their treatments and gives them a supportive team of individuals that will train, fundraise and ride in their honor. It is an inspiring way for participants to connect with a child who is receiving state-of-the-art care and more advanced treatment for cancer because of the funds raised by Pedal the Cause. Since 2011, over 3,00 Kids Challengers have raised over $619,000 for cancer research.
Children and adults who take part in Pedal the Cause bring us closer to the day we live in a world without this disease. Their fundraising dollars directly fund early-stage cancer research. These burgeoning projects often lead to incremental successes that garner large external grants, which have produced groundbreaking treatments, clinical trials, preventions and early detection diagnostics. Nick Overkamp, Commercial Relationship Manager at Enterprise Bank & Trust, is living proof.
"I am proud to join Pedal the Cause in the fight against cancer. My first doctor's appointment was on December 14, 2016, and by December 28, 2016, I was in surgery. Chemotherapy followed in February 2017. I spent the balance of that year getting my strength back and trying to understand what had happened to me. Cancer is a terrible disease. What it does to you and those you love is indescribable. My dad was deep in his cancer fight when I was diagnosed, and my dear friend Eli received his cancer diagnosis in September 2017. Suddenly, cancer had invaded every corner of my life overnight. Ultimately, I lost my father to cancer in February 2018, followed by Eli in September 2018. Cancer took a piece of me, but it didn't get all of me. February 2022 marked my 5th anniversary of being cancer-free. The dollars raised for cancer research impact lives. I’m living proof."
In July 2019, a friend asked Nick to lead a Pedal the Cause team. "I hadn't been on a bike in years, especially since my diagnosis," he said. "But I said, 'Let's do it.' We raised about $8,500 with 19 people in just 60 days."
Reflecting on his first ride, Nick found it therapeutic. "That day was cathartic. Pedal the Cause is about raising dollars, but it's more than that. It's about making it as personal as we can," he emphasized.
Joining the Pedal the Cause Board in 2023, Nick highlighted its impact: "Every dollar invested attracts thirteen additional dollars from outside sources like the NIH. Siteman Cancer Center's work on a national stage is monumental."
Under Nick's leadership, Enterprise Bank & Trust's team has grown significantly, raising $43,600 last year and over $140,000 since that first ride. "We share our stories to inspire our community. We're all driven to see a world without cancer," he said.
Join Pedal the Cause the weekend of September 21 and 22. While it is a cycling challenge, it's not a race. Riders go at their own pace for as short as 10 miles to the full course of 100 miles. The first five miles of the course are entirely closed to road traffic, making it the perfect out-and-back trek for beginners and families. Pedal the Cause also offers a spin zone, or you can "ride" virtually on your own. If you don't have a bike, Big Shark Bicycle Company, another community-oriented Enterprise Bank & Trust client, will help you rent one.
The event will be held at the Family Arena in St. Charles. Taste the Cause is the annual celebration the day before the Pedal the Cause ride. Enjoy the best food and drink from the St. Louis region's most renowned restaurants, live music, the Living Proof processional honoring cancer survivors, thrivers, and fighters, and the Inspirational Program and fireworks display.
Pedal the Cause 2024
Saturday, September 21
8:00 am - 12 pm - Kids Challenge. Kids ride as many loops as possible on a safe, closed course. The $35 registration fee gets riders a Kids Challenge t-shirt and goodie bag, a personal fundraising webpage and access to all the fun and games of the Discovery Zone. There is a $5 discount per child when registering multiple children.
4:00 - 7:00 pm - Taste the Cause - Food & drink from the St. Louis region's top restaurants. Live music from The Mighty Pines. Free for registered riders.
7 – 7:30 pm - Inspirational Program and Fireworks sponsored by Enterprise Bank & Trust. Open to all.
Sunday, September 22
7:00 am - 9:45 am - rides depart - Choose from 6 incredible road courses or 2 fun trail rides.
10:30 am – 3:00 pm – post-ride lunch & celebration
Learn more and register now: pedalthecause.org
"We share our stories to inspire our community. We're all driven to see a world without cancer."