Micheal McIntyre
- National: 2nd
- State: 1st in PA
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
Niko Henry Chernyshov
Niko was diagnosed with brain cancer in June 2024. During his two-year battle with the disease, he underwent 13 rounds of chemotherapy, six brain surgeries, nine weeks of radiation, and a stem cell transplant before passing away on March 23 of this year. While fighting cancer, Niko completed all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout—an achievement earned by only about 4% of Scouts. Reaching this rank requires exceptional dedication, including earning at least 21 merit badges, serving in a leadership role, and planning and leading a significant community service project, all before turning 18. Most of Niko's treatments took place at the University of Vermont Health's Golisano Children's Hospital. During his hospital stays, LEGO® sets provided comfort and distraction, giving him something positive to focus on during some of his most difficult days. Niko was deeply empathetic and always thought of others. A lifelong LEGO enthusiast, he found building sets to be therapeutic throughout his treatment. Wanting other children in the hospital to experience that same sense of comfort, he created an Eagle Scout service project to collect LEGO sets for pediatric patients. Expecting to receive around 70 donated sets, Niko ultimately collected and delivered more than 800. His project was recognized as Eagle Scout Project of the Year by the National Eagle Scout Association's Green Mountain Council. Niko's mother shared, "He was always in good spirits and did a good turn daily, living the Scout Oath and Scout Law with hope and a smile throughout his cancer journey." As a fellow Eagle Scout, riding in Niko's memory is a deeply personal honor. His courage, compassion, and commitment to helping others embody the very best of what it means to be a Scout, and I am proud to ride in celebration of his remarkable life and lasting legacy. If you click on the "UPDATES" button on the MY CHALLENGE bar, you can learn more about this amazing young man.
My Story
I am participating in my 12th Great Cycle Challenge. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. I have to admit that as I age (I am 75 years young) the pedaling is getting a bit harder each year. Yet, I am fortunate to be able to still ride. There are many kids that will never have the opportunity to reach my age, or even have the chance to ride a bike, as cancer will end their life much too early.
While there has been tremendous progress in fighting pediatric cancer, it is still impacting the health and lives of too many kids.
So I am once again raising funds for the Children's Cancer Research Fund to help find a cure . The money you donate will allow them to continue their work in funding lifesaving research. Every dollar will bring us one step closer to helping another child beat this disease.
Your support does, and will, change little lives for the better. Thank You!
A word about my goals. My riding goal is 750 miles, 10 miles for each of my orbits around the sun. If I reach that goal, I will have ridden 13,800 miles during the Great Cycle Challenges I have participated in. More importantly, if I can reach my fundraising goal, I will have raised $200,000 to beat kids' cancer. A HUGE thanks to everyone who has donated in the past, to those that will donate again this year, and to those who will be donating for the first time this year.
With sincere gratitude,
Mike
P.S. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy often have a critical need blood and/or platelet transfusions. I now give platelets every two or three weeks. Platelets only have a five day shelf life resulting in a constant demand. Please give if you can.
My Legacy
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677 mi RiddenRaised2015
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3,295 mi Ridden$1,876 Raised2016
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1,734 mi Ridden$5,206 Raised2017
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1,040 mi Ridden$6,565 Raised2018
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1,477 mi Ridden$9,272 Raised2019
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1,052 mi Ridden$12,564 Raised2020
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877 mi Ridden$23,295 Raised2021
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833 mi Ridden$25,647 Raised2022
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1,000 mi Ridden$21,834 Raised2023
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522 mi Ridden$27,283 Raised2024
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544 mi Ridden$30,312 Raised2025
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Ridden$46,200 Raised2026
My Challenge
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22 Sep 2026
Fellow PEZ dispenser collector, Larry Mason, learned of the story behind the boy I am honoring in this year’s Great Cycle Challenge. Niko, who lost his fight with brain cancer, was an Eagle Scout, a huge Minnesota Vikings fan, and had a special connection to LEGO sets.
Larry created a special “LEGO set” for me to send to his family. The BSA shirts were created by assembling individual pieces, just like LEGO structures. The BSA stands for Boy Scouts of America. The stems are appropriately red, white and blue. The Eagle Scout dispenser has a glow in the dark stem, as earning that rank is a “glowing” achievement. Just 4% of all scouts reach the rank of Eagle. And then of course there is the purple and gold color scheme. These are the colors of Niko’s beloved Vikings with the final touch being their mascot sitting atop a its own purple stem.
Posted 3 days ago -
2.6 mi ride - Mall Walk with Dick Brant - Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
The Dwarfs
21 Sep 2026Tomorrow (9/22), it will be three weeks since my cycling accident that occured on the very first day of the Great Cycle Challenge. It has been a slow and frustrating recovery. I spend a lot of time laying flat on my back with either heat or ice applied to my neck and shoulders. That down time gets my mind going in so many different directions. The other day I was contemplating and assessing just how I was feeling, both physically and emotionally.
While taking that mental inventory, the Seven Dwarfs characters popped into my head. I was equating how I felt, or how I was acting like each of them. It turned out I saw a direct relationship with five of the seven.
DOC - I have spent a lot of time learning about concussions, nerve damage, treatments, recovery periods and appropriate treatments.
DOPEY - The concussion had slowed my cognitive abilities a bit. Sometimes it was a struggle to find the right word or to be able to articulate a thought I wanted to express.
SLEEPY - The continuing pain makes sleep difficult. I am constantly shifting to see if I can lessen the discomfort in a slightly different position. Flat on my back is not the way I like to sleep.
GRUMPY - Yep, the physical discomfort and lack of sleep definitely makes me grumpy. I appreciate my wife and others who are around me for putting up with me.
HAPPY - This one is the best! I feel so happy every time I see another donation has been made to my Great Cycle Challenge page, even though I am having to sit this one out.
Luckily, I am not SNEEZY. I can only imagine how uncomfortable a sneezing fit would feel while my neck is still recovering. And, then there is BASHFUL. I have to admit I am NOT bashful about asking for donations. Every dollar helps to fund childhood cancer research. So, on second thought, I guess that covers all seven dwarfs in one way or another.
Posted 4 days ago -
3.3 mi ride - Mall Re-hab walk (getting a little longer.) - Sunday, September 20, 2026
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
2.6 mi ride - 18 Sep 2026 - 2.63 mi Mall Walk - Friday, September 18, 2026
Logged this ride 8 days ago -
Niko, LEGO and me in Times Square
17 Sep 2026Niko found solace in building LEGO sets while being treated. His Eagle Scout project was to collect sets for kids to build while they were hospitalized, That compassionate activity continues today, as his family still collects donated sets and deliver them to the hospital. I had purchased several sets and had the sent to his parents for delivery. While in NYC on Tribute Day to see Niko's picture on the big screen, I held up one of the LEGO bags from when I made the purchase to honor Niko's charitable work. I asked AI to recreate the picture as if a child had used crayons to draw it. If you too would like to donate a LEGO set or two, please email and I can send you the address to where it can be sent. My email address is MrMcPez@gmail.com.
Posted 8 days ago -
Congratulations to Judy Mesler
16 Sep 2026Each year I have raffled off PEZ dispensers to help raise funds. This year, with it being the 250 anniversary of our independence, I though it was appropriate to include Uncle Sam and Paul Revere dispensers in the raffle. Judy Mesler who has supported my GCC riding for many years and who is also a fellow PEZ collector, was the winner.
Posted 9 days ago -
1.6 mi ride - Mall walk - Sunday, September 13, 2026
Logged this ride 13 days ago -
It came to a quick end.
9 Sep 2026Less than a mile into the first ride of the 2026 Great Cycle Challenge I had a serious accident. I was taken by ambulance to a trauma center. The injuries to my head, face, neck. arms and leg have ended my participation this year. However, I will still keep up my fundraising to help find better treatments for childhood cancers. Thank you for your support for all the kids like Niko who have either lost or are fighting for their lives because current treatments are not enough.
Posted 16 days ago -
1.0 mi ride - 2026 GCC - Ride #1 - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
From Warner Road trailhead to Soccer complex parking lot
Logged this ride 19 days ago
My Sponsors
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Edward & Janet Antonian
$10,000Received this donation 3 days ago -
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!”
$7,406.63Received this donation 16 days ago -
Matched Day Matching 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 fight kids' cancer!”
$2,733.48Received this donation 2 days ago -
Anonymous
$2,000Received this donation 2 days ago
Micheal
“Dear Anonymous donor, what a generous donation! Unfortunately, I receive no information about donors who request to remain anonymous. If you wouldn't mind, perhaps you can send me an email with who you are. I would really like to acknowledge you in a more more personal manner. My email is MrMcPez@gmail.com.”
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Clinton Lawson
“The miles ridden are not the driver of your continued success this year ... today, the driver is your persistent commitment, perseverance and time given to such a worthy cause.”
$1,035Received this donation 16 days ago -
David Moldoff
“Your commitment and passion is what we support. Not the miles you ride.”
$1,035Received this donation 16 days ago -
Rob and Carol
“Thank you for doing this again this year, Mike!”
$1,035Received this donation 30 days ago -
HEATHER M CHERNYSHOV
“Niko would be honored to share the support for cancer research as an Eagle Scout, he donated his brain tumors to research and eyes to a donor. Troop 611 helped guide him to become the amazing kid that makes any mother proud!”
$611Received this donation 63 days ago
Micheal
“Heather, it is truly my honor to ride for Niko. It is heartbreaking that cancer cut his life so short. He was such a good soul. I have every right to be a proud mom. He lived an exemplary life of what it means to be an Eagle Scout. It is my pleasure to share his story with as many others as possible. Niko's life showed us all that empathy and caring for others is one of life's most important blessings. I hope that my riding in his memory will continue his legacy of giving and motivate others to donate to help fund the research needed to find better treatments for the disease that took his life.”
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Chipotle
“We are very happy to support one of our most frequent customers in his fundraising for childhood cancer research - Jess, Chris, Crow, Grim and the rest of the KOP team.”
$533.19Received this donation 7 days ago -
Go Mike Proud of your efforts and new face !
“Go Mike Proud of your efforts and new face !!”
$517.50Received this donation 3 days ago -
Judy and Bob Yost
“Michael - get well soon! We are honored to support the great cycle challenge for childhood cancer research.”
$517.50Received this donation 16 days ago -
Ken Ewell
“Mike, Keep going strong!”
$517.50Received this donation 2 days ago -
Nan Glasgow
$517.50Received this donation 16 days ago -
The Nawrocki Family
“We support you and the cause, no matter what gets in the way of you and your bike.”
$517.50Received this donation 9 days ago -
Doane Family Enterprises
“We are happy to support your fundraising efforts to help find more effective and safer treatments for childhood cancers. Ride safe.”
$500Received this donation 53 days ago -
John Kulha
$500Received this donation 15 days ago -
BPHS Class of 1969: Friends of the 75th Birthday Party
“Your BPHS '69 classmates who attended the 75th Birthday Party wanted to support your efforts to fight kids' cancer. Hoping you heal quickly and will be back on your bike soon.”
$450Received this donation 2 days ago -
judy mesler and pez community
“I won the pez raffle that Micheal done and i had both the pez in my collection already so i asked if i could do a raffle on a pez community 2.0 page and i was allowed to do that. So i took the Paul Revere pez that i won and asked other pez collectors to take a $5 chance at winning that pez and i had many people interested in getting involved. Another pez friend (Diana Klein) then donated a duck with flower pez to add so we could get a second winner, but then by my surprise i had another collector (Daniel Whittley) offer a popeye pez so we could have a third winner. And now with today being match your donation day what a great way to make an impact on Micheal's goal.”
$414Received this donation 2 days ago
Micheal
“WOW! The PezHead community is truly special. Thank you Judy, Diana and Whittley for donating the PEZ dispensers and to all those that entered the raffle. What a wonderful surprise! You guys are the best!”
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Mark McEvoy
“I so appreciate you Mike. Thank you for all you do to help conquer juvenile cancer.”
$362.25Received this donation 16 days ago -
Optum - UnitedHealth Group matching gift on behalf of Mark McEvoy
$362.25Received this donation 9 hours ago