Closer to Free Ride approaches

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- There will be aches, pains, and a sense of accomplishment this Saturday, at the 2nd annual Closer to Free Ride for the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

It's a powerful day, where cancer survivors are among the ones peddling with a purpose.

"Go Team Artemis."

They are a team: Beth Conerly's team.

She's the captain, and a breast cancer survivor.

"The outcome of all of the struggle after cancer and during cancer is I wanted to pay it forward and help people who are suffering with cancer or are survivors who are suffering with issues," Conerly said.

A year ago Conerly rode in the inaugural Closer to Free Ride, but this year she can't.

"I'm a survivor, you never really know," she said. "It's not like leukemia where you are in remission and you live your life wondering and hoping you are and that's a hard thing."

The Guilford mom of two has plenty of support, and she has ever since her diagnosis in April 2008.

Unable to ride this year, her husband Bob stepped in to ride with his wife's team, which also includes two other breast cancer survivors.

"It was something she struggled over because she didn't want to miss the ride, it happens once a year," Bob said, "she couldn't train."

"Beth and I are natives (cancer survivors), there is a language, a feeling and understanding that we have without having to say anything and that is how it was last year at the ride," said Leslie Hyman.

Last year, nearly 250 riders raised close to half a million dollars. This year, rider registration has nearly doubled with hopes of doubling donations too.

Smilow Vice President and Executive Director Abe Lopman says the event is powerful.

"It gets people to focus on what's important in life and what you saw last year is what is important to peoples' lives," said Lopman. "That spirit, that camaraderie, that coming together...that spirit you saw last year you see here everyday."

There will be rides of 25, 65 and 100 miles. Riders leave from the Yale Bowl at 7 a.m.