TJ Minde
@tjmindewrites.bsky.social
Writer / Editor rat living in the Midwest. He/Him
"TJ," I hear you cry, "I followed you because of writing stuff at a con. Why should I care about you posting about bike stuff?" Well, beyond the fact I was doing a fundraiser and trying to raise money for a great cause (wanna help more? :D), art imitates life.
With the bike on the rack, it's time to go home. All the miles have been gotten for the event and the rat is tired. Still, while what I did was hard, I know fighting cancer is harder. And what I did, I did for them. And I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoThat hill was hard. But fighting cancer is harder. So I'll keep doing what I can on behalf of those that can't. With the last rest stop under my belt, it's time to finish the ride.
That hill was hard. But fighting cancer is harder. So I'll keep doing what I can on behalf of those that can't. With the last rest stop under my belt, it's time to finish the ride.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoGot about 25 miles left and one killer hill left. The excitement for the finish line is in the air. Let's get these miles.
Got about 25 miles left and one killer hill left. The excitement for the finish line is in the air. Let's get these miles.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoOne of the neat things of doing an event like this: you get to see parts of Ohio you don't normally see. Lunch today is in Morrow, OH. How often do you get to see something like this while raising money for a great cause?
One of the neat things of doing an event like this: you get to see parts of Ohio you don't normally see. Lunch today is in Morrow, OH. How often do you get to see something like this while raising money for a great cause?
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoDoing hard things for those that can't. I challenged myself to hit a sub-15 minute split over 5 miles and got that chirp. Feeling good and tired over 27 miles in.
Doing hard things for those that can't. I challenged myself to hit a sub-15 minute split over 5 miles and got that chirp. Feeling good and tired over 27 miles in.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoUnlike the other days, every rider is wearing the same jersey regardless of team. It really gives a bigger sense of unity in what we're doing: riding miles and fighting cancer.
Unlike the other days, every rider is wearing the same jersey regardless of team. It really gives a bigger sense of unity in what we're doing: riding miles and fighting cancer.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoAnd for the last time this year, away we go.
And for the last time this year, away we go.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoIt's the dawn of the last day. Today is about 77 miles, a gentle descent all day and one mean climb. And all the miles are to help those fighting cancer. The Pan Ohio Hope Ride reached their goal of $1 million dollars raised for the CLE Hope Lodge, but can we get more before the day is done?
It's the dawn of the last day. Today is about 77 miles, a gentle descent all day and one mean climb. And all the miles are to help those fighting cancer. The Pan Ohio Hope Ride reached their goal of $1 million dollars raised for the CLE Hope Lodge, but can we get more before the day is done?
After over 85 miles, today ends at my alma mater. It's really interesting being back here and seeing all the changes. And there's a special presentation tonight. Looking forward to some rest after.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoJust before the last rest stop of the day is Yellow Springs Brewery. After those hellish rolling hills, I think I deserve a treat.
Just before the last rest stop of the day is Yellow Springs Brewery. After those hellish rolling hills, I think I deserve a treat.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoSitting here as I finished lunch and the exhaustion is starting to catch up to me. But I'll push on for those that can't. Trying my best to ride EFM this year. You know what might help? A donation showing your support (link in reply)!
Sitting here as I finished lunch and the exhaustion is starting to catch up to me. But I'll push on for those that can't. Trying my best to ride EFM this year. You know what might help? A donation showing your support (link in reply)!
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoThe benefit of a supported ride: all the snacks and the helpful, cheery volunteers. They make riding 329 miles so much easier.
The benefit of a supported ride: all the snacks and the helpful, cheery volunteers. They make riding 329 miles so much easier.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoThe OSU James Cancer Hospital is one of the sponsors of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride this year. They were also kind enough to host the first Water Stop today. Kinda neat riding near a campus big enough to have its own zip code.
The OSU James Cancer Hospital is one of the sponsors of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride this year. They were also kind enough to host the first Water Stop today. Kinda neat riding near a campus big enough to have its own zip code.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoAfter two days of 90+ miles on a bike, getting up is hard. But fighting cancer is harder. So. I'll keep going for those that can't. Now to get ready for an 80+ mile day.
After two days of 90+ miles on a bike, getting up is hard. But fighting cancer is harder. So. I'll keep going for those that can't. Now to get ready for an 80+ mile day.
After 100 miles and so much climbing, the day is done. Time to relax.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoAt the last rest stop with about 9 miles left. And I'll be off by 2 miles for a century. Guess who's about to double back for those that can't? Let's do this.
At the last rest stop with about 9 miles left. And I'll be off by 2 miles for a century. Guess who's about to double back for those that can't? Let's do this.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoSomething I've learned doing endurance events here in Ohio is that pickle juice as an electrolyte drink is freaking amazing. I don't know why it works so well, but it does. This event has been kind enough to provide some as well.
Something I've learned doing endurance events here in Ohio is that pickle juice as an electrolyte drink is freaking amazing. I don't know why it works so well, but it does. This event has been kind enough to provide some as well.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoOne of my favorite things about bike fundraisers is that you never know what you'll see. And 65 miles in give another interesting view.
One of my favorite things about bike fundraisers is that you never know what you'll see. And 65 miles in give another interesting view.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoJust over 50 miles in And now it's time for lunch. First half kicked my tail today, but I'm hoping that means the hardest is behind me.
Just over 50 miles in And now it's time for lunch. First half kicked my tail today, but I'm hoping that means the hardest is behind me.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w ago38.1 miles in. And after a challenging section for those that can't, time for a well earned break.
38.1 miles in. And after a challenging section for those that can't, time for a well earned break.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoFirst set of hills have been tackled. The Amish in Holmes County help raise extra money for the trails by selling extra snacks. Supporting cancer treatment and bike trails!
First set of hills have been tackled. The Amish in Holmes County help raise extra money for the trails by selling extra snacks. Supporting cancer treatment and bike trails!
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoFighting cancer can be really hard. Because of that, I'm going to attempt the challenge course today. 98 miles with one hell of a climb is in my future. But first: bike tech.
Fighting cancer can be really hard. Because of that, I'm going to attempt the challenge course today. 98 miles with one hell of a climb is in my future. But first: bike tech.
And done for the day. Second longest ride of 2026. Started off flat and easy, and ended with lots of climbing. This was fun, but very tiring. But, like cancer treatment, you have your ups and downs, your good day mix with the bad. I'm still proud of myself. Now to rest and get ready for tomorrow
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoI keep thinking of some small things the event doesn't have, like bike parking. But that reminds me again of why we ride: to raise money for the Hope Lodge and give families one less worry while going through cancer treatment. Would bike racks help that cause? No. So on the ground she goes.
I keep thinking of some small things the event doesn't have, like bike parking. But that reminds me again of why we ride: to raise money for the Hope Lodge and give families one less worry while going through cancer treatment. Would bike racks help that cause? No. So on the ground she goes.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoJust over 64 miles in according to my GPS. Getting to lunch went well enough, but the rolling hills between there and the next water stop were rough. But I reminded myself that going through cancer treatment is harder and this event is raising money for a great cause.
TJ is out bicycling for a cause for the next few days. He is being a very good rat.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoI'm 34.32 miles in to the day. Weather has been amazing and first climb was nice. Here's hope to more of that today!
Just over 64 miles in according to my GPS. Getting to lunch went well enough, but the rolling hills between there and the next water stop were rough. But I reminded myself that going through cancer treatment is harder and this event is raising money for a great cause.
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoI'm 34.32 miles in to the day. Weather has been amazing and first climb was nice. Here's hope to more of that today!
I'm 34.32 miles in to the day. Weather has been amazing and first climb was nice. Here's hope to more of that today!
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoIf you wanna help me raise money for the Cleveland Hope Lodge, check this link! secure.acsevents.org/goto/TJMendi...
If you wanna help me raise money for the Cleveland Hope Lodge, check this link! secure.acsevents.org/goto/TJMendi...
Support my fundraising for Pan Ohio Hope Ride
I’m supporting the American Cancer Society to honor those touched by cancer by raising funds for groundbreaking research. Support me.
secure.acsevents.org
TJ Minde@tjmindewrites.bsky.social · 2w agoMorning of Day 1 of the POHR. Only have a rain jacket, so I'm a little nervous about the colder morning, but the weather is expected to be really nice But, since this is my first year, I don't know what to expect. I don't really know what to be excited for. Beyond riding about 90 miles today.
