He thought he might never ride again, now he’s heading to the GFNY World Championship NYC start line. Read Jon’s story and join him at the start line on May 17.

I was about five years old when I got my first bike. The moment the training wheels came off, I felt something every cyclist knows at some point—I was flying. Even at that age, I understood that a bike meant freedom. It was more than just riding around the neighborhood; it was independence, freedom, and joy. I had found my passion.

Over the next fifty years (I’m now 55), that passion evolved from simply riding to racing and competing. I raced throughout most of my adult life—on my own, with teams, and eventually as the founder of G4D Racing NYC. I lined up for crits, circuit races, road races, and even the occasional stage race. But one event always seemed to elude me: GFNY. As someone who trains almost exclusively on 9W in NY/NJ, I can’t count how many times I saw riders in their green and black kits and thought, Next year. I’ll do it next year.

Then in December 2021, everything changed. The Uber I was riding in was struck by another Uber in a serious accident, and I suffered damage to two vertebrae. My first thought was devastating: I may never ride again.

Months of physical therapy followed. Eventually, I managed to get back on the trainer—but it wasn’t fun. Later, I made it back outside. That wasn’t fun either. I was grateful to be riding, but something felt different. I began to believe my competitive days were behind me.

Until last fall.

I decided I wouldn’t let the accident define me. I bought a new bike—and then another. I committed to rebuilding, to finding my form again. At first, I wasn’t sure where the road would lead, but little by little, I started making real progress. And last month, I did something I once thought might never happen: I signed up for GFNY.

It will be my first major race back—five years in the making.

I live just ten blocks from the George Washington Bridge. On the morning of May 17, when I pin on my number and roll down the hill toward the bridge, I’ll take my place at the start line. The results? Still unwritten. But the truth is, I won’t need a finishing time to tell me how I did.

I’ve already won.

Okay, GFNY… what do you have for me?