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.

The Dwarfs

Tomorrow (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.

Niko, LEGO and me in Times Square

Niko 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.

Congratulations to Judy Mesler

Each 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.

It came to a quick end.

Less 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.

He will be in my rear pocket

I carry an item that connects me with the child I am riding for on all of my rides. For Niko, I will have the Viking's mascot with me. It is my way of having his spirit accompany me as we pedal together to reach this year's 750 mile goal. In the video, my own Eagle Scout medal is pinned to Viking mascot.

Minnesota Viking fan

Niko was a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. You may have noticed the Viking blanket on his hospital bed. Niko had the opportunity to attend a Viking's game in person this past January. The Vikings beat Green Bay that day, winning 16-3. Sadly, a few months later Niko lost his battle with cancer.

Eagle Scout

Here is Niko in his Boy Scout uniform, prior to earning his Eagle Scout award and before treatments took his hair. On his sash he has 35 merit badges. Only 21 are required for Eagle. He was such an over achiever!