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 over $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$48,742 Raised2026
My Challenge
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12.2 mi ride - Walk with Jim Brady to Exton and back - Saturday, October 24, 2026
Logged this ride 1 day ago -
4.1 mi ride - 2nd time on a stationary bike at PT - Monday, October 19, 2026
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
Wagons full of LEGO sets
19 Oct 2026Niko's legacy continues as another 300 Lego sets are dropped off at the Children's Hospital in Burlington, VT. I travelled from Philadelphia with LEGO sets that I purchased to match the $6.11 donations made to the Great Cycle Challenge. The LEGOs filled nine wagons! They will be given to kids, who like Niko had been, are being treated at the hospital. Niko's mom, dad and sister are all involved in scouting. (Can you spot me in my orange GCC t-shirt? I am wearing the Troop 611 neckerchief that I was given when I was named an honorary member of the Troop.)
Posted 6 days ago -
The wind was cold, the heart was warm.
19 Oct 2026I travelled to Burlington, VT to participate in the LEGO drop-off at the Children's Hospital. Niko's family invited me and my wife to join them for brunch before the drop-off. After brunch, Heather (mom), Alex (dad), Ella (Niko's sister) went for a short walk along the Lake Champlain. The wind was blowing hard making it feel much colder. However, meeting Niko's family was a heartwarming experience.
Posted 6 days ago -
2.2 mi ride - Neighborhood walk - Sunday, October 18, 2026
Logged this ride 8 days ago -
1.2 mi ride - Walk with Niko's family - Saturday, October 17, 2026
Logged this ride 9 days ago -
You have to wonder!
15 Oct 2026There are so many "connections" in this year's Great Cycle between me and Niko.
1. I saw a story about Niko's cancer battle in a Eagle Scout Facebook Group. (I am an Eagle Scout).
2. Niko's Eagle Scout project was collecting LEGO sets to give to patients at the Children's Hospital were he had been treated. (I collect Pez dispenser's and this year's giveaway at a Pez convention was a LEGO inspired dispenser.)
3. Only 4% of all scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. (Only 4% of all federal cancer research funding is allocated to childhood cancers.)
4. On my very first ride of the Challenge, I had an accident and am undergoing physical therapy on my neck and shoulders. (Niko's mother is a cooperative owner of a physical therapy business and is also certified therapist for cranio-sacral massage.)
5. Niko had brain cancer. (Several years ago I rode for a high school classmate's granddaughter who also had brain cancer. She survived and was asked to prom by a boy named Niko.)
Posted 11 days ago -
3.0 mi ride - 1st time bike on a bike (Stationary bike at PT) - Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Logged this ride 11 days ago -
3.1 mi ride - CVT Walk towards the river - Monday, October 12, 2026
Logged this ride 14 days ago -
3.8 mi ride - Chester Valley Trail walk - Saturday, October 10, 2026
Logged this ride 16 days ago
My Sponsors
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Edward & Janet Antonian
$10,000Received this donation 33 days ago -
Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
$7,406.63Received this donation 46 days ago -
Matched Day Matching Donation
$2,733.48Received this donation 32 days ago -
Anonymous
$2,000Received this donation 33 days ago
Micheal
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Clinton Lawson
$1,035Received this donation 46 days ago -
David Moldoff
$1,035Received this donation 47 days ago -
Rob and Carol
$1,035Received this donation 60 days ago -
HEATHER M CHERNYSHOV
$611Received this donation 94 days ago
Micheal
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Chipotle
$533.19Received this donation 37 days ago -
Go Mike Proud of your efforts and new face !
$517.50Received this donation 34 days ago -
Judy and Bob Yost
$517.50Received this donation 46 days ago -
Ken Ewell
$517.50Received this donation 33 days ago -
Nan Glasgow
$517.50Received this donation 47 days ago -
The Nawrocki Family
$517.50Received this donation 40 days ago -
Doane Family McDonald's
$500Received this donation 24 days ago -
John Kulha
$500Received this donation 45 days ago -
BPHS Class of 1969: Friends of the 75th Birthday Party
$450Received this donation 32 days ago
Micheal
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judy mesler and pez community
$414Received this donation 33 days ago
Micheal
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Mark McEvoy
$362.25Received this donation 46 days ago -
Optum - UnitedHealth Group matching gift on behalf of Mark McEvoy
$362.25Received this donation 31 days ago