Obliteride: How one company leader chose to embrace the ride

So Lewis, chairman of Seattle builder Lease Crutcher Lewis, decided his company should step up and support employees by increasing the company's matching donation level and covering their registration fee.

"I am encouraging and supporting them by bringing some company resources to the table and I am asking friends who don't work here to join our team," said Lewis, himself an avid cyclist.

The support Lease Crutcher Lewis is providing to its employees—matching funds they raise, helping with registration fees and asking friends to join their teams—is a simple way any employer can help riders who want to join Obliteride. And the benefit goes beyond supporting lifesaving cancer research. Lewis says the ride and its fundraising goals give his employees something to bond over and a common goal outside of work.

"We have a strong history of participating in the community," Lewis said. "I am always looking for opportunities that the entire organization is excited about. Once in a while something comes along, and this is one of those events."

Register for the Aug. 9-11 Obliteride or support Lewis' team—Lewis & Friends Obliteriders—by donating through their team Web page. Thanks to sponsors, 100 percent of every dollar raised will directly benefit Fred Hutch's cancer research.