Welcome to Jason Tang and my newest venture, #WeRideWhy. My name is Greg Roth. What I am not, is a professional cyclist. I never have been, I never will. : ) What I am is a lifetime off and on athlete, avid cyclist and fitness enthusiast. I ride an average of 125-200 miles per week. I ride to train, I ride for fun, I ride on organized and official group rides, including Obliteride, Seattle To Portland, Reach The Beach, etc. These particular events help raise funds for those suffering. I love cycling and everything that goes with it! I love the culture, I love the aesthetic, and I love the athletic challenge. What I love most is the positive impact cycling can have in our community and beyond. Riding for something bigger than myself is what drives me on and is what helps be push through a tough climb!
In addition, I am the founder and Creative Director of Seattlemusicinsider.com, a successful music publication that covers music in around the Puget Sound region and way beyond.
Music is one of my greatest passions but along with my passion for music and our amazing music community, I am a huge cycling and fitness enthusiast. This new venture will highlight my own adventures in cycling but others as well. Seems like a pretty natural fit to me! : )
We ride because it gives us freedom. Freedom from work, freedom from our e-mail accounts, family obligations, politics, dogma, stress, worries, sickness and more. Cycling gives us so much beyond physical fitness. It is our happy place, our church and our refuge from the lives we lock ourselves into.
When we have something that we love, we want to give it away and share it with the world. That is what we are going to do here. We have some big things planned for 2017! This includes a series of videos and long form documentary telling our story of why we ride for a greater purpose and meaning.
The site is currently under construction. We are going to shine the spotlight on businesses, establishments and brands that we love. We also want to keep you up to date with what is going on in the cycling world and community. Eventually we will be adding contributors as well.
We will be adding new design and functionality in the next few weeks. We look forward to taking you on this journey with us!
“We crave the freedom of the open road, with the wind at our backs and our destination ahead.
To feel the agony of a climb and thrill of the descent.
We ride to connect with our planet and universe.
Because it makes us happy and healthy.
We ride because cancer took our friends, mothers, fathers and our children.
We ride to chase the pain away.
To heal.
Because it brings out the best things about ourselves.
We ride out of love and passion.
To make a difference.
To touch the face of God and the angels.”
– Greg Roth
#WeRideWhy Synopsis
#WeRideWhy is a forthcoming documentary that tells the story of Greg Roth and hundreds of others like him who cycle in dedication to loved ones lost, or are currently suffering from cancer. The project will feature Jenny George, Ashley Berg and other mothers like Amy Furguson, whose lives have been negatively impacted by cancer and the collateral damage cancer brings forth. The story is broken into five parts below, culminating in a complete movie to be released in a theater in October 2017.
The movie will feature music from local artists and will be filmed in various locations throughout the Puget Sound region.
Jenny, Ashley and other friends of associates will share their stories among a backdrop of elegant and action packed cycling footage of many riders. In addition the film follows Greg and his team as they ride around the Puget Sound and beyond preparing for Obliteride 2017. The film will take viewer up to weeks before the event, which will include 1500 – 2000 riders.
Greg and his team, #WeRideWhy – Obliteride will ride over 100 miles in one day to raise money for cancer research for Fred Hutch. The five year old cycling event takes place August 11 – 13, 2017.
#TheDarkness
#TheFear
#TheStruggle
#TheHope
#TheHealing
#WRW Trailer 1
The story follows Greg as he continues the healing process from the death of his mother, Judy Roth when he was 10. Greg’s mother was only 31 years of age. Last year Greg rode Obliteride for the first time. He rode to raise money for cancer research, via Fred Hutch. Participating in Obliteride brought up some ghosts for Greg and started what continues to be a healing process for him. Part of the continuation of his healing process is to participate in Obliteride 2017 but this year Greg is building a team with the hopes of raising $30,000.00 for Fred Hutch and cancer research.
Obliteride takes place August 11-13. The rides will all finish at Gasworks Park in Seattle, followed by a celebration with food and live music.
The film will follow Greg and his team as the train and prepare for the 2017 cycling season culminating with Obliteride 2017. Greg also shares his story about the pain and lifelong impact of losing his mother at a young age. The film and ride will be part of Greg’s healing process from pain that he has buried or shoved off to the side on and off for most of his life. In addition, Greg shares about the healing powers of cycling, eating healthy and staying fit after dealing with anxiety and depression. Cycling teaches Greg new things, every time that he goes out for a ride.
In addition, the film celebrates the passion of cycling in the Northwest at all levels and shows the beauty, emotional connection, passion, joy and benefits of cycling. The film also will explore some aspects of the cycling culture in and around the Puget Sound but most importantly….
The film will also focus on his late mother Judy and two special mothers that Greg bonds with through his own experience of losing his mother. Greg and his team will be riding for is mother and:
Jenny George was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12, given less than 30 days to live, and told that she would never have children. Jenny beat the odds and credits the music of Duran Duran for helping her keep her spirits up during her illness and recovery. Today, she is a dedicated mother and an advocate for cancer research and treatment. She has donated her DNA to help scientists understand, diagnose, and treat leukemia and lymphoma.
As part of Jenny’s emotional healing process and drive to make a positive impact on those who have suffer, Jenny established Dancing On The Valentine in 2004 in celebration of another year of life. Held annually on or around Valentine’s Day (Jenny’s birthday), all proceeds from DOTV go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Dancing on the Valentine has raised close to $60,000 for Leukemia research since 2004, and Jenny hopes to add another $10,000 to that figure in 2017. Footage from this year’s event will be featured in the series.
The movie also explores the special mother and son bond between Jenny and her son, Atticus, who is a DJ at KEXP.
Ashley Berg is a single mother raising a 10-year old daughter. She continues to battle stage-four cancer. Her indomitable spirit has allowed her to persevere through a death sentence some doctors have given her. Despite her disease, Ashley has raised a beautiful daughter in a loving and positive way. Like Jenny, Ashley loves music and often takes her to family friendly music events and festivals.
Ashley tells her story of the pain and isolation of cancer and the deep impact that it has had on her daughter and their relationship.
Through the darkness and the struggle, Ashley and her daughter share a very special and beautiful bond, which will be one of the highlights of the movie.
In addition, we will feature testimonials from friends who have suffered either directly or collateral damage from cancer. Unfortunately, nobody seems to be exempt from the ravages of cancer and the butterfly effect that it has on our present and future.
The film concludes with Obliteride weekend August 11- 13.
Check us out on…
Donate to or ride with Greg’s Team to:
#CureCancerFaster by clicking logos below…
