Pelotonia is 180-mile cycling event that raises money for the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, said Jessica Kinman, Pelotonia director of publicity and communication.

On the morning of Pelotonia, cyclists ride from Columbus to Athens, a 102-mile stretch (not, decidedly, as the crow flies); the next day, most are invited to ride 80 miles, all in the name of cancer research.

The event, which is in its second year, is modeled after a bike event that has raised millions of dollars for cancer research in Boston known as The Pan-Mass Challenge, Kinman said.

"The CEO (Dr. Michael Caliguiri) of the hospital had the idea to envision and do the same things here (in Ohio) to raise money," Kinman said.

Participation in Pelotonia was easy, she said. Registration was available on the Internet, and the website provided different kinds of fundraising tools to aid riders, she said.

"Every dollar we raise goes directly to cancer research," she said. "That's the dream."

Both participation and fundraising in Pelotonia has nearly doubled since last year, she said.

Although every rider does not complete the 102-mile ride (they can opt to go shorter distances, and rest points are available every 12 to 15 miles), most have to raise at least $2,000, she said.

This year, the event raised more than $8 million for cancer research, she said.

After riders crossed the finish line at Ohio University's TailGreat Park, they were greeted by a supportive crowd and Pelotonia staff. Those choosing to ride back the next morning were offered rooms in university residence halls, including the nearby Convocation Center, Kinman said. Riders could also enjoy a party in their honor parallel to the finish line in the tailgating park

Torrential rains hit the area in the early evening, though Pelotonia participants had a large tent providing shelter.

John Wood, 23, said he participated in Pelotonia because he raced bicycles for Ohio State University before he graduated and he was happy to support cancer research.

"I just think that it's a good cause," Wood said. "I love riding my bike, and putting those two together was fun."

Other pedalers, such as Nathan Dugin, 20, rode for the same reason.

"I like riding my bike. It was a great cause," Dugin said.

Dugin, who participates in bicycle events nearly every weekend, offered some advice to future cyclists interested in participating in Pelotonia.

"Get out and ride you bike. And ride hard," he said. "It gets most difficult at mile 92, but nothing major. "

Donna Eramon, a spinning instructor in Columbus, agreed that the trail could be difficult at times. "This course was hard," she said. "We are from Columbus. We don't have hills."

For some riders, the event had other interesting features aside from the cycling aspect.

"The coolest thing is the moto (motorcycle) escort," said Nate Harner, 20. "We had two police stop cars. There was a (news) helicopter just floating above us in a cornfield around mile 37."

Others still were biking in honor of loved ones, who may have suffered or may still be suffering from cancer.

Elan Lieber, 20, was inspired by his uncle to participate in the ride, after his uncle completed it last year despite being an older man. "My uncle did it last year and he was 50," he said.

Lieber did not have much cycling experience prior to this past summer, he said.

"I never really rode bikes before in my life," he said. "So I bought a bike in the beginning of the summer with some of my friends. (Pelotonia) is definitely one of the hardest things I've done."

Pelotonia was not a bike race, Lieber stressed. It was more of a cycling event.

"It's not a race, it's a ride more for a charity thing," he explained. "Still, it feels pretty good to finish this quick."

It took Lieber about five hours and 20 minutes to bike over 100 miles, he said.

His uncle and friends aside, Lieber said he had another thing to ride for. "Both of my grandparents are cancer survivors. So I did it for them," he said.

THE OTHERWISE POSITIVE event, unfortunately, had a tragic aspect, as one of the riders was struck and killed by a motorist Saturday in Hocking County, near Logan.

Michelle Kazlausky, 57, was fatally wounded around 2 p.m. when a pickup truck hit her at the intersection of Ohio Rts. 374 and 180. The driver reportedly had ignored a signal to stop, from an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper who was directing traffic at the crossing.

The death was announced over loudspeakers around 6 p.m. to the gathering of riders and supporters at the Convocation Center. Though musical entertainment had been planned for the rest of the evening, this was cancelled out of respect for the slain rider.

Those in attendance reacted with dismay and disbelief.

"Everyone just got completely quiet" after hearing the announcement, recalled 44-year-old Samuel Raver of Lancaster. "We don't like to see (something like) that happen. My first reaction was, I'm sure glad the Highway Patrol or somebody witnessed it, because sometimes when something like this happens, the driver will just take off."

(Authorities have reportedly impounded the truck that was driven by 57-year-old Ervin Blackston of Rockbridge, Ohio, to inspect it for any malfunction that could have kept it from stopping. Findings of the investigation will be handed over to the Hocking County prosecutor.)

Jessica Fallon, 30, of Columbus, said the announcement cast a pall over the gathering.

"It was awful," she said. "We all were on that same road; we all saw those cars passing. It's sad that something like this would happen in an event that's supposed to be for the greater good. I think it says a lot about how people deal with cyclists, and the safety issue."