Each August, a group of John Wetherell’s friends gather together for the Annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) Bike Ride, cycling more than 20 miles along the York Heritage Rail Trail to remember John and raise support for the pancreatic cancer research program in the Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center. Biking from Hanover Junction to the Mason-Dixon line and back, the group enjoys a beautiful day of remembrance and a great ride in tribute to John.
The 14th Annual Ride on August 23, 2025, was no exception. This year’s event recorded its highest turnout to date with 20 riders and a plus one for lunch at a trailside brewery, where the group raised a toast to John’s memory. In addition to raising a glass to John, the 2025 ride raised $3,000 for pancreatic cancer research at Johns Hopkins, bringing the total amount raised over the past 14 years to more than $50,000. The steadfast commitment of John’s friends to honor him while also raising vital support for pancreatic cancer research is truly heartwarming.
About John Wetherell
John Wetherell was an avid cyclist and participated in many rides in support of various charities. Sadly, John passed away in 2011 at the age of 50 from pancreatic cancer. His legacy continues through the annual bike ride in his memory.
Private donations such as those raised by John’s friends make a significant impact on the Hopkins team’s ongoing efforts to conquer pancreatic cancer. Now more than ever, it helps provide critical resources needed to fund novel early detection and surveillance methods, develop and test new treatments and therapies, and ultimately, make a difference in the lives of patients and families who this terrible disease has touched. For that, we at Johns Hopkins are endlessly grateful.
Event Pictures ▼
Past Events
Enjoy pictures from some past rides by clicking below.
2024 ▼
The 13th Annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) Bike Ride was held on August 24, 2024, with a nice turnout of 11 riders. In keeping with tradition, the group gathered for a well-deserved lunch and beverage break where they shared a toast to John at a trailside brewery. The 2024 ride raised $2,800 for pancreatic cancer research, bringing the total raised over the past 13 years to more than $47,000 in memory of John.
2023 ▼
The 12th Annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) Bike Ride on August 12, 2023, was a great success. Thirteen people were on hand for the 2023 ride and shared a toast to John at a trailside brewery during their lunch/beverage break. John’s friends raised $3,700 this year, bringing the annual event’s total contributions to more than $46,000 to support pancreatic cancer research at Johns Hopkins in memory of John. .
2020 ▼
On August 23, 2020, a group of John's friends gathered together to remember John and to ride to raise donations in support of Pancreatic Cancer Research at the Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.
This was the 9th annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) ride and the group covered 20 + miles on the York Heritage Railtrail from Hanover Junction to the Mason-Dixon line and back. The day was beautiful. We had a nice turnout of 16 to ride. At our lunch/beverage break we shared stories of how John W was part of our life. We raised $3,900 this year for cancer research.
2018 ▼
This was the 7th annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) ride and the group covered 20+ miles on the York Heritage Railtrail from Hanover Junction to the Mason-Dixon line and back. The day was overcast but the rains held off until we were loading our bikes to go home. We had a nice turnout of 10 for the ride. At our lunch/beverage break we shared stories of how John W was part of our life. We raised $3,300 for cancer research!
2017 ▼
On August 26, 2017, a group of John's friends gathered together to remember John and to ride to raise donations in support of Pancreatic Cancer Research at the Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.
This was the 6th Annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) ride and the group covered 20 + miles on the York Heritage Railtrail from Hanover Junction to the Mason-Dixon line and back. It was a perfect day. We had a nice turnout of 14 for the ride. We raised $3,500 for cancer research!
2016 ▼
On August 28, 2016, a group of John's friends gathered together to remember John and to ride to raise donations in support of Pancreatic Cancer Research at the Johns Hopkins Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.
This was the 5th annual REMEMBERING JOHN (W) ride and the group covered 20 + miles on the York Heritage Railtrail from Hanover Junction to the Mason-Dixon line and back. It was a warm but beautiful day. We had a record turnout of 18 for the ride and John's family joined us afterwards. We raised $3,600 for cancer research!
2014 ▼
On August 16, 2014, a group of John S. Wetherell's friends and coworkers got together to remember John, or Dubya as some of us called him, and to raise money for pancreatic cancer research at Johns Hopkins. The group rode a little over twenty miles on the York Heritage Railtrail stopping at the halfway mark for food and beverages. John was an avid cyclist and did many rides himself in support of various charities. The event raised over $500.
