Erin Bennett
- National: 398th
- State: 20th in IL
- My Team: 3rd
I'm Riding For
Lost loved ones and those who are bravely fighting
I lost my Mom in early 2024 to pancreatic cancer. I spent countless childhood hours with my parents riding around the countryside of Ohio on my bike. She was such a huge supporter of me in this challenge when I started a few years ago. Mom, these rides are for you. And, I ride for other lost loved ones and those who are bravely fighting it.
My Story
2025:
More people I love have been lost and more are bravely fighting this disease. It is hard enough as it is to see so many go through this. I can't imagine going through this with a child, and why I am riding again this year. I can help others while doing what I love. <3
2024:
My lifelong #1 supporter, my Mom, passed to the dreaded disease, pancreatic cancer. The challenge hit differently. Grief does crazy things to the mind and body, but my Mom always said I do what I put my mind to. It was so worth it to change those little lives. Year #3 tallied up to 150 miles and $2,743 raised - so grateful!
2023:
I'm always so excited to help others while doing what I love, staying active and trying to be a good role model for my little one. I was so humbled by the support last year and touched by each and every bit of encouragement and donation received. I exceeded my mileage and fundraising goals. My goals were 100 miles and $500 but I hit 140 miles and $2,745, thanks to the all the amazing support!
2022 and YOY Recap :
This September, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
Why? Because right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children's Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.
Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve. I currently have riding and fundraising goals (started Year #1 at 75 miles and $150). Every year, fundraising intimidates me and I'm hoping my knees cooperate. If all goes well, I increase those goals so stay tuned and join me on my journey!
Your support will change little lives.
Thank you.
My Legacy
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112 mi Ridden$1,503 Raised2022
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141 mi Ridden$2,745 Raised2023
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153 mi Ridden$2,743 Raised2024
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255 mi Ridden$3,038 Raised2025
My Challenge
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I Did It – And I Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!
27 Sep 2025I still can’t quite believe it… but WE DID IT! 💙🧡
With your love, support, and generosity, I didn’t just meet my goals for this year’s Great Cycle Challenge – I absolutely obliterated them. Together, we raised over $3,000 this year alone for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, and in doing so, I crossed a milestone that means the world to me: $10,000 total raised over the past four years of riding.
When the notification came through while I was at work, I’ll admit—I got teary-eyed. It was one of those moments where pride, gratitude, and deep emotion all hit at once. I felt such overwhelming thankfulness for every single person who supported me, shared my posts, donated, and cheered me on. I thought of the kids we ride for, the families impacted, those who are currently fighting, and the loved ones I’ve lost—their memory riding with me every mile.
This journey has always been about more than just cycling. It’s about hope. It’s about showing kids battling cancer that they’re not alone. It’s about taking action in the face of something heartbreaking and turning that grief into purpose.
I finished my final ride today, but the challenge remains open through the end of the month. If you're still considering a donation, it's not too late to make an impact.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Whether you gave, shared, or simply encouraged me—you’ve made a difference. You’ve helped bring hope, one ride at a time.
Here’s to the next ride, the next kid we fight for, and the belief that together, we can change the world for those little lives. 💪🚴♂️🎗️
With gratitude and much love,
Erin
Posted 12 days ago -
27.7 mi ride - Rocking the last ride for 2025 GCC! - Saturday, September 27, 2025
Logged this ride 13 days ago -
15.4 mi ride - Smiling for my 4:30 am ride - Friday, September 26, 2025
Logged this ride 14 days ago -
Can I do it?
24 Sep 2025What began as a goal of $1,000 and 150 miles has grown into something truly remarkable. I’m now over 200 miles and aiming for $3,009. WHY $3,009? Because that would bring my total to an incredible $10,000 raised over my 4 years of riding! 🎉
This journey hasn’t been easy. There are tough rides, early mornings on the trainer, and long outdoor excursions. Balancing fundraising and cycling with my other training—swimming and running—has been demanding (and yes, I get tired!). And life, well, enough said!
But what keeps me going in this Great Cycle Challenge? Gratitude. I’m grateful for the ability to ride, my employer’s support, and the chance to do what I love while making a difference.
I draw inspiration from those who have supported me—thank you! I owe it to my amazing team, Zebra Technologies, and most importantly, to those kids who should be living life, not fighting for it. Special signs from my parents remind me to persist. They didn’t raise a quitter. 💪
This journey is also about personal growth. As an introvert, fundraising isn’t easy, but I’m pushing through the challenges physically and mentally. I'm borrowing from David Goggins in that I'm taking a “cookie from the cookie jar” to get me through some of the tough parts. I'm asking myself “What if” and pushing through the hard. WHAT IF I can make it to the $10,000 fundraising milestone this year?! I'M ONLY $151 AWAY!! 🌟
As the challenge wraps up at the end of the month, I want to finish strong! The support means the world! 🌍
Thank you for being part of this incredible ride through September. Together, we are making a difference! 💙🧡
Posted 15 days ago -
17.0 mi ride - 4:34am - a tough ride on the trainer! - Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Logged this ride 16 days ago -
21.0 mi ride - Sunday morning on the trainer - Sunday, September 21, 2025
Logged this ride 19 days ago -
Riding Together, Making a Difference: Team Zebra Takes on the Great Cycle Challenge
20 Sep 2025There’s something powerful about a group of people coming together—most of whom have never met before—and riding for a shared mission. Last Friday, Team Zebra Technologies did exactly that.
Over 50 miles on our bicycles.
Winding wooded trails and dusty paths.
Laughs about eating bugs, gritty water bottles, and moments of teamwork (yes, including a flat tire fix!).
It was my first time riding 50+ miles on a mountain bike, and it pushed me in all the right ways. But what made this ride truly special wasn’t just the distance—it was the connection.
We weren’t just logging miles. We were riding for a cause.
For the Great Cycle Challenge, to fight kids' cancer. 💙🧡🚴♀️
Seeing our team come together—supporting one another, encouraging every pedal stroke, and solving problems mid-ride—was a reminder of why I signed up for this in the first place. This is about more than fitness, fun or networking. It’s about meaning. It’s about showing up. It’s about making an impact, together.
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or riding for the first time—know this: every mile matters. Every rider matters. And every moment like this is worth it.
Here’s to more rides, more connections, and more reasons to keep going. 🙌🦓
Posted 19 days ago -
51.0 mi ride - GCC Ride with Team Zebra Technologies - Friday, September 19, 2025
Logged this ride 21 days ago -
Riding with Purpose
19 Sep 2025Every cyclist rides with a purpose.
Some have been pedaling since childhood; others discovered the freedom of two wheels later in life. For many, it’s about health—nurturing the body, healing the mind. For others, it’s the sheer joy of the ride—whether it’s the rush of a fast-paced sprint or the peace of a slow, scenic cruise.
The beauty of cycling lies in its versatility.
Paved roads or rugged trails. Solitary moments of reflection or the energy of a shared journey. It offers something for everyone. That’s what makes this challenge so powerful—people from all walks of life coming together to ride, grow, and give back.
Yesterday reminded me of that.
Looking forward to a ride with a friend was exactly what I needed to get through a tough day. We hit the trails, soaked in the fresh air, reconnected, and did something great for our health—and our spirits. The icing on the cake? Spotting another cyclist out there proudly wearing a GCC jersey. It reminded me we’re part of something bigger.
Let’s keep riding. For ourselves. For each other. For the cause. 💪🚴♂️💙🧡
Posted 21 days ago -
13.4 mi ride - Trail & town cycling on MTB with Friend - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Logged this ride 23 days ago
My Sponsors
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Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
“Here's your matched donation from a group of wonderful Children's Cancer Research Fund supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$944.10Received this donation 28 days ago
Erin
“WOW -Thank you so very much! It has been quite an inspirational day to see everyone rally in support of Kick Cancer's Butt Day! I wish I could thank you personally. Please know your support is much appreciated. You have my word that I will keep going for the remainder of this Great Cycle Challenge to help change little lives!”
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Anonymous
$258.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much! I wish I could thank you personally. Please know your support is much appreciated! You have my word I'll keep pedaling through the end of the month for this challenge!”
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Maria LaBelle
“Such a wonderful cause to ride for.”
$258.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Maria, thank you so much for your support. It is wonderful people like you and your support that keep me going for this Challenge. I appreciate your help in making an impact to change little lives!”
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JDB Tech, LLC
$124.20Received this donation 38 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much for all of you support in all my crazy adventures, including this one over the years! <3”
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Ricky Shipman
$124.20Received this donation 26 days ago
Erin
“Awww thanks for your continued support! It is so very much appreciated!”
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Chord Marketing Services
“Proud of you!”
$103.50Received this donation 14 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so very much. Your support means the world to me!”
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Anonymous
“🚲”
$103.50Received this donation 33 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much! I wish I could thank you personally. Please know your support is much appreciated!”
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Dusten Johnson
$72.45Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thanks so much for all the support - much appreciated! I'm on a mission to kick cancer's butt and I know I'll likely get my butt kicked when we ride (but I'm up for the challenge)! haha”
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Ken Blake
“Kick butt”
$72.45Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so very much, Ken! You know how much I hate this dreaded disease and how much this Challenge means. Your continued support means a lot to me. Now, let's kick cancer's butt!!!”
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Larry Hauck
$72.45Received this donation 20 days ago
Erin
“Thank you, Larry! I really appreciate your continued support with this challenge!”
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Stacey Felzer
$72.45Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much for your support, Stacey! Through this challenge, I'm grateful that I can help others navigate the difficult experience of cancer treatment and fund research in hopes to beat it. Kids should be living life, not fighting for it. <3”
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Angela Chamberlin
“Erin, so impressed by your dedication and passion!!! Love what you do!! Keep it up and keep shining your huge "ray of light"!!!!!”
$51.75Received this donation 21 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much! So happy to be able to do what I love, help others and be supported by those I love! :)”
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Becky E
$51.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Becky! Thank you so very much for your support in this challenge - much appreciated!!”
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Claudia Johnson
$51.75Received this donation 34 days ago
Erin
“Thanks so much for your support in my crazy challenges, Claudia!! It means a lot to me! Looking forward to riding with you soon!”
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Erika List
“So amazing for you to do this every year!! You are such a strong athlete and friend!”
$51.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thanks so much, Erika! I'm so grateful for having a strong athlete and friend to support me in this challenge! ;) Let's ride again soon!”
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Katie Arnold
$51.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Katie!! I am so grateful for the support, as it keeps me going! Thank you so much!!”
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Kinnari Amin
“Ride hard, ride proud, ride for the kids — you've got this!! 🚴🏻♀️”
$51.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thanks so much for your continued support, Kinnari! I miss riding with the kiddos, the best inspiration! But you have my word, I will keep riding!!”
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Sarah Bryowsky
“Keep pushing you are so close to 10K!!!!! Proud of all you are doing to support kids with cancer.”
$51.75Received this donation 14 days ago
Erin
“Thank you!, Sarah I pushed to the end and so thrilled that both goals have been met, personal and team!!”
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Sarah Bryowsky
“You are such an incredible role model and inspiration for others taking on this challenge each year. Thank you for your ongoing support for the fight against Cancer - I will be following along and cheering you on!”
$51.75Received this donation 35 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much for supporting my challenge and always cheering me on!”
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Anonymous
“Keep on riding for a great cause- Ride on my friend!”
$51.75Received this donation 29 days ago
Erin
“Thank you so much, my friend! Please know your support is much appreciated and you have my word I will definitely ride on through the end of this month!! :)”