Messenger photos by Rick Palsgrove Nearly 7,500 bicyclists participated in this year’s Pelotonia bicycle tour, which passed through Groveport on Aug. 3 and included a rest stop at Cruiser Park. So far this year, Pelotonia has raised $14 million that will go towards cancer research through The Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital. In 11 years, Pelotonia has raised $197 million to fight cancer. Pictured here are cyclists passing under a large American flag that hung from an American Electric Power (AEP) truck on Bixby Road in Groveport. Groveport City Councilman and AEP employee Shawn Cleary coordinated the flag and truck set-up, in conjunction with AEP and the city of Groveport, to offer support to the cyclists.Pelotonia cyclists riding along Bixby Road near Groveport’s Cruiser Park.Ric Noland, of Cyclist Connection in Canal Winchester, repairs a bicycle tire in Cruiser Park. Cyclist Connection provided mechanical and repair assistance for the bicyclists in Cruiser Park.Cyclists are welcomed by volunteers as they pull into Cruiser Park for a rest break. As groups of cyclists pedaled out of Cruiser Park after resting for the next leg of their journey some could be heard saying, “I’m so glad to have air in my tires again!” “Feelin’ good!” and “Let’s go Grandview! On to the next one!”Team Buckeye, one of many teams of cyclists who participated in Pelotonia, resting in Cruiser Park before they hit the road again.Volunteers in Cruiser Park preparing sandwiches for the cyclists.
