Kevin Bowler
- National: 35th
- State: 5th in IL
I'm Riding For
Scott Sinotte & Joan Oosterbaan
Five years ago, I was introduced to the GCC by a childhood friend, Scott Sinotte. We were neighbors and classmates growing up, and both loved the outdoors, whether it was biking, swimming, playing street hockey, pickup baseball games, you name it. The GCC connected with me as a lifelong fan of bicycling and also as cancer survivor who witnessed kids and their families also dealing with cancer. So I followed Scott's lead and joined the challenge. I considered not riding in the GCC this year. However, as Scott and another dear friend/classmate Joan Oosterbaan (Buczkowski) passed earlier this year, I decided to ride on. Both Scott and Joan lived active lifestyles and have wonderful families with whom they shared their passions of outdoors and sports. I will honor them both as I ride this September. Please help me support the fight against children's cancer. Give thanks each day to those who have impacted your lives and make it better.
My Story
This will be my 5th year participating in the September month-long Great Cycle Challenge. In the first 4 year's, I've been able to ride over 1600 miles and raise almost $36K. As a cancer survivor myself, it is an opportunity for me to give back doing something I enjoy. It is a way to honor those who supported me in so many ways throughout my cancer journey. Kids fighting their own battles, along with their families, need support too.
My Legacy
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532 mi Ridden$10,486 Raised2021
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532 mi Ridden$7,849 Raised2022
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354 mi Ridden$8,353 Raised2023
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203 mi Ridden$8,411 Raised2024
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109 mi Ridden$10,510 Raised2025
My Challenge
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2025 GCC Complete
1 Oct 2025As September has come to a close, I'd like to thank all Great Cycle Challenge supporters for another successful campaign. We were able to raise $10.5k, which is 35th among all GCC participants nationally. Though time and weather didn't always cooperate, I was able to ride over 100 miles. In five years of the GCC, we've been able to raise $45.6k and ridden 1700+ miles.
Overall in 2025, total GCC riders pedaled 1.7 million miles and raised $7MM to fight children's cancer. Thank you all for your tremendous support to a great cause.
Lastly, my thoughts will continue being with the Sinotte and Oosterbaan families. A big thank you to them for allowing me to share this years ride with them.
Posted 1 day ago -
1.0 mi ride - Scott Sinotte - Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Logged this ride 3 days ago -
1.0 mi ride - Joan Oosterbaan - Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Logged this ride 3 days ago -
34.6 mi ride - Fox River Trail - Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Logged this ride 8 days ago - View on Strava -
30.6 mi ride - Chicago North Branch Trail - Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Logged this ride 15 days ago - View on Strava -
15.3 mi ride - Lunch Ride - Saturday, September 13, 2025
Logged this ride 19 days ago - View on Strava -
15.5 mi ride - Afternoon Ride - Saturday, September 6, 2025
Logged this ride 26 days ago - View on Strava -
11.3 mi ride - Afternoon Ride - Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Logged this ride 29 days ago - View on Strava -
Sept 1 GCC Kicks Off
1 Sep 2025Today marks the kickoff to the month-long Great Cycle Challenge to raise money in the fight against children's cancer. I cannot give enough thanks to the tremendous support many have given already.
A couple weeks ago, members of our Hackett Catholic Central Class of '85 gathered in Kalamazoo MI to celebrate our 40th reunion and lifelong friendships and blessings. We also took time to honor classmates who sadly are no longer with us, including Scott Sinotte and Joan Oosterbaan (Buczkowski), for whom I am riding this year. They will always be with us in spirit and are missed by many.
I look forward to some great weather ahead, getting away from the golf course (just a bit), and getting in some great bike rides in the weeks ahead.
Thanks you all so much, and I'll post an update later in the month.
Posted 31 days ago -
$5,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $5,000 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 49 days ago
My Sponsors
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Kathy Scherer
“Thank you for honoring Joan! Have a great ride, Kevin! Kathy Scherer (Buczkowski)”
$1,035Received this donation 61 days ago
Kevin
“Kathy, thank you so much. I was saddened to hear about Joan's battle. I wish I could have made it to Kzoo for the services. JP gave me an update on the Buczkowski family. You all were an integral part of my high school years. They were special years and Kzoo/Hackett was a great community of parents and kids alike. I'll be thinking of Joan's and all of you this September as I ride.”
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Margaret Bowler
“I am so proud of you and your dedication to fund research for pediatric cancer. Thank you for dedicating this years ride to the Sinotte and Oosterbaan families. Love you, Mom.”
$1,035Received this donation 42 days ago
Kevin
“Mom, you have always been a rock for our family. Thank you, and thanks for treating to a wonderful dinner tonight! It was great visiting on a beautiful evening.”
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Mary Bowler and Joe Greenberg
“Kevin, in honor of your 58th birthday today and the tributes you have made this year to the Sinotte and Oosterbaan families for the Great Bicycle Challenge, we salute you and the 2025 cycle challenge. So very proud of your dedication and efforts to this great cause.”
$1,035Received this donation 42 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you so much Mary and Joe for all you do and always being a huge support throughout my own personal cancer challenge.”
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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!”
$890.90Received this donation 22 days ago -
JP Oosterbaan
“Kevin, Thank you for including Joan! She had so many kind friends from Hackett. Have a safe trip. JP”
$517.50Received this donation 61 days ago
Kevin
“JP, thank you. It was good catching up with you a couple weeks ago. Kzoo and Hackett were/are terrific communities. So many great memories growing up, friends for life from different schools and activities. Please give my best to the gang, who I know Joan so loved being part of. I'll be thinking of the Oosterbaan and Buczkowski families throughout the September GCC challenge.”
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Matching Gift from Davidson Companies on behalf of Stephen Nelson
$517.50Received this donation 30 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you for your generous support to a great cause!”
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Paul Manghera
“Congratulations Kevin on another long ride September.”
$517.50Received this donation 37 days ago
Kevin
“Paul, thank you for all the support you have given us over the years. Your guidance has given us a peace of mind through some uncertain times. Looking forward to our Sep rematch at RMCC!”
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Anonymous
$517.50Received this donation 52 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you so much for Anonymous supporting a great cause!”
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John and Anne Madden
“Such beautiful tributes this year Kevin and so worthy of your efforts. To the Sinotte and Oosterbaan families, memories of Scott and Joan live on in so many ways. Here’s to healing and blessings to your families. Anne Bowler Madden and John”
$310.50Received this donation 49 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you Anne and John for your support! Enjoy the fun events you have planned in the months ahead. Much deserved!”
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Brian Brees
$274.28Received this donation 22 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you so much Brian for your generous support. Sadly I won't be at any of the IU fall football gatherings based on my schedule, but please give my best to all the AO boys. Glad the get togethers have been more regular and hopefully I'll see you at a gathering soon.”
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Tim Cole
$274.28Received this donation 22 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you so much Tim! Sorry to have missed you while I was in town. Hope all is well and hopefully see you next time. I've been thinking of our youth football picture with Scott and the 2 of us. I need to find it to share.”
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Kevin Bowler
“You Go Kevin! Such an awesome cause :)”
$265Received this donation 61 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you, family!! You are my inspiration each and every day.”
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Irwin and Wendy Steinberg via the Steinberg Family Fund
$250Received this donation 36 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you Irwin and Wendy! It was a fun gathering last night at RM on the Veranda. What a perfect way to wrap up a fun summer. We are sad that we'll miss the 2025 Glow Golf. It's a favorite event, but the chance to see the Bears in Vegas was just too tempting!”
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Alex & Janeen Paul
“Good luck again this year, Kevin!”
$207Received this donation 60 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you Alex and Janeen. It was fun all getting a chance to catch up over dinner recently. Best of luck on the FL house!”
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Chris Oosterbaan
“Yours is a wonderful and meaningful tribute to beautiful people. Thank you! Chris Oosterbaan”
$207Received this donation 58 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you so much Chris! I agree on your sentiments on Joan and Scott, who made so many lives better with their presence and giving spirits.”
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Ed & Mary Buczkowski
“Thank you for riding for Joan!”
$207Received this donation 53 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you Ed and Mary! JP filled me in on the latest Buczkowski family updates. I hope you are well and I will be thinking of all of you during my Sept rides.”
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Elliot Kulick
“Keep it up pal!”
$124.20Received this donation 61 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you Joy & Elliot! Hope you had a great time out east!”
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Eric Mantel
“In ZAX, AO 1812”
$124.20Received this donation 22 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you Eric! Much appreciated from an older 1402!!”
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John Bielefeld
“A great cause and ride like the wind Kevin.”
$124.20Received this donation 22 days ago
Kevin
“Thanks John! Hopefully it's a wind at my back. It was great catching up for lunch in downtown Chicago recently. We need to do it again when you are back in town, and rally some others too.”
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Bert and Terri Cooper
“Thank you for honoring our dear Joan. Safe travels!!”
$103.50Received this donation 57 days ago
Kevin
“Thank you so much Bert and Terri!”