Rob’s Story

Rob Winter was an instrumental Blue Sky Velo club and board member, as well as a hardworking and dedicated father of three.

Rob learned in 2015 that he had Advanced Stage Colon cancer that had metastasize to his liver and lungs. The doctors gave him an eight percent chance to live for more than five years.

Most people would likely take that news and start resting and recovering, but Rob looked at it differently.

An infectious personality and smile

“It was a moment where I basically took a deep breath. From the analytical side of myself, it was the ‘OK, what do I do next?’ So it wasn’t distraught, it wasn’t despair, it was basically trying to figure out OK, what the game plan is,”

Rob Winter
Rob participates in Haystack Time Trial after his Cancer diagnosis

Every Monday before his chemotherapy treatment Rob would have his picture taken – always sporting a big smile and wearing a Hawaiian shirt. He would post updates on Facebook with the heading “Happy Hawaiian Shirt Chemo Monday”.

Happy Hawaiian Shirt Chemo Monday

Rob remained strong throughout his four year fight with Advanced Colon Cancer and was the constant drive behind “Plank” rides, social events and became the heartbeat of the club.

Rob Winter and Sandy North at the Erie Track

By 2018, Rob had logged over 16,000+ miles and was continuing to go strong despite over 72 rounds of chemotherapy. Rob’s ability to continue to remain positive and to push through the challenges that life presented him was an inspiration to all that met him and spent time with him.

Rob’s body couldn’t maintain the positivism that Rob embodied. His cancer continued to spread despite the chemo treatments. Unfortunately, Rob lost his fight with Colon Cancer on June 24, 2019.

The club held the first of what we hope to be many tribute rides for Rob as he was an inspiration and continues to inspire future generations.

Rob Winter First Annual Memorial Ride – July 2019

We hope to continue Rob’s spirit, his legacy of strength, his infectious enthusiasm, his ability to provide constant smiles – despite life’s challenges and struggles.

We continue to #riderobstrong in his honor.

Articles About Rob

Here are a few articles highlighting the amazing qualities that Rob portrayed during his life and his fight against the disease that would eventually take his life: