Bicycling from the White House to the Empire State Building, Jack Greenberg COM '25 will Support his Grandmother with Every Mile
Growing up, Jack Greenberg COM'25, an Account Coordinator at Coyne PR, spent weekdays with his grandmother Lita, or "Mimi," while his parents worked. They went on fun adventures to the zoo, the park, and to do errands. Mimi would put a shopping-cart-sized mattress in her cart so he could sleep while she shopped, and Greenberg remembers that their trips to Blockbuster were among his favorites. "Being introduced to Blockbuster through Mimi contributed to my love for writing short films and acting," Greenberg said.
Today, 20 years later, Mimi has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. "She doesn’t remember these moments or even who I am," Greenberg said. "She had been very influential to me growing up, and on the flipside, I got to see her do really cool things, such as when she dyed her hair and went to an Iron Maiden concert when she was 62 years old."
To support his grandmother, in June 2026 Greenberg will cycle 300 miles, from the White House in DC to the Empire State Building in New York City, to raise funds for the charity Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, which donates to research that slows down or reverses Alzheimer’s. "While my grandmother may not understand what’s happening with this bike ride, by cycling 300 miles, I’m now sharing my moments with her, as she did with me while I was growing up," Greenberg added.
Greenberg will start his ride at the White House on June 19 and end at the Empire State Building on June 25. The ride will be 300+ miles through cities, suburbs, and some very rural areas. Greenberg created the route himself and will be riding by himself.
"I spent way too many hours in Google Maps Street View to make sure the route is safe," Greenberg said. "I’ll be staying in Airbnbs, motels, and hotels and cycle 30-60 miles each day. I’m so thankful for my community as everyone has been incredibly supportive and excited for this ride to happen."
Read our Q&A with Greenberg to learn more about his cycling journey and his advice for SC&I students who want to follow in his career path.
SC&I: What are your goals for the cycling challenge?
JG: My biggest goal is to take it slow. I’ll be traveling through cities and towns that I’ve never been to before and I want to explore them. There’s a website called Roadside America that shows you the quirky and weird attractions in your area, such as the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, PA. My goal is to visit at least one roadside attraction each day of my ride. On another note, taking it slow shouldn’t be too much of an issue, since I’ll be riding on a 30-pound mountain bike.
Say yes to everything. You learn so much about yourself when you explore something unfamiliar. When you’re faced with moments of uncertainty, navigate them with patience and self-compassion.
Jack Greenberg COM'25
SC&I: How are you training for the ride?
JG: I’ve been doing a lot of exploring. My goal these last few months has been to ride 20-40 miles each weekend to areas I haven’t been to before. The first weekend of May, I rode 40 miles in the NYC Five Boro Bike Tour with 32,000 cyclists through Central Park, on highways, and over the Verrazano Bridge. More recently, a friend and I explored the Hudson Valley, where we cycled 30 miles across city streets and nature trails with great views of the Hudson River. I’m really excited to see the views on this trip. The precursor to this ride also helped me prepare. Last summer, I rode 50 miles in one session for the first time. I tied the charity, Rise Against Hunger to the ride and in total $1,000 was raised. That ride was a great stepping stone to prepare me for this one.
SC&I: Were any SC&I faculty members particularly influential during your undergraduate experience?
JG: Professor Mark Beal is truly a one-of-a-kind professor who cares deeply about his students’ future and is passionate about their interests. I took three classes with Professor Beal my senior year at SC&I, including the course where I helped run social media for COMMchella 2025. That was one of the most memorable experiences of my college career. Outside of being a teacher, Professor Beal also cycles, and works closely with a charity.
SC&I: What is some advice you received at SC&I that has served you well, personally and professionally?
JG: Say yes to everything. You learn so much about yourself when you explore something unfamiliar. When you’re faced with moments of uncertainty, navigate them with patience and self-compassion. You are your best friend and there’s so much to experience in your years at SC&I. Explore, explore, explore.
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