Charles Harrington/University Photography
Chuck Greene, associate professor of geological sciences, third from left, poses on the Engineering Quad with
the Cornell Cycling Club, with whom he trains.
When Chuck Greene, associate professor of geological sciences and director of the Ocean Resources and Ecosystems Program at Cornell's Center for the Environment, began cycling in college -- as a training method for alpine skiing -- he didn't envision he'd someday be entering a 100-mile bike race. But now he is, and the race will help benefit cancer research.
Greene started thinking about racing competitively only last summer, although he has continued to be an avid cyclist since college. And he didn't get his U.S. Cycling Federation license until this year, when he decided to participate in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Ride for the Roses in Austin, Texas, on May 23.
"I'm a cycling racing enthusiast," said Greene, 41. "And this just seemed like a good opportunity to do something good and enjoy it as well."
The Ride for the Roses is a 100-mile race sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, named for America's premier cyclist, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Having completed his treatment, Armstrong currently is making a racing comeback. He founded the charitable organization to help others with cancer, and Greene has been following Armstrong's story with interest.
"I realized that we are all vulnerable," Greene said. "He was only 26 years old. There's a real identification there."
Greene's mother died of cancer at a young age, which, he said, strongly influenced him to tackle his largest competitive challenge in support of the foundation.
In preparation for the race, Greene has been riding daily. He also rode through the winter, even though in past years he has stopped riding between November and April. In the fall, Greene began riding with the Cornell Cycling Club, and he plans to continue working out with the team through the end of the semester, although the club is nearing the end of its season.
Greene has found that there may be ways he can help the club that has helped him prepare for his race.
"Because there is a lot of turnover from year to year and no coaches, the cycling club lacks the continuity of varsity sports," Greene said. But he has some ideas on how to enrich the club's fund-raising efforts, such as helping solicit local sponsors to provide gear or training for the team, in exchange for things like providing advertising and publicity.
Greene has followed the same strategy in raising money for his own race. He has received support and sponsorship from local businesses such as the Bike Rack, which is providing him with cycling gear for his ride. Courtside Racquet & Fitness Club gave him a free membership until the race, plus a three-month membership to be auctioned off as a donation to the foundation, and Cayuga Fitness Consultants have been helping him design a training program. He also has received cookies at cost from Collegetown Bagels and Appetizers, which he then offers to students in his classes who want to donate to the cause. He puts a tray out in the front of the room with a geology baseball cap, in which students can leave donations. So far, he said, he's raised about $250 with that method.
Greene is hopeful that his "Cornell connection" will help him realize his two goals -- making a substantial contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and cycling the 100 miles in under five hours.
"Being affiliated with Cornell has helped by giving me access to the cycling team and in contacting businesses and people who want to sponsor my ride," he said.
So far, the response he's received in donations has been great, Greene said. "I don't know if I will make the original $2,000 goal, but I know that I will easily break the $1,000 level now," he said last week.
People interested donating to the foundation, through Greene, can call him at 255-5449 or e-mail him at chg2@cornell.edu.
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