Name: Sherah Justus
Age: 39
Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin
Occupation: Ultrasound technologist
Time cycling: 1.5 years
Reason for cycling: I cycle for physical and mental rehabilitation after cancer treatment.
In 2021, I was diagnosed with radiation-induced osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. This was my second round with bone cancer, as I had with Ewing's Sarcoma when I was just 8 years old.
During this bout, the treatment plan required a wide tibial resection—a surgery that removed a large portion of my tibia or shin bone and some muscles—and the doctors replaced the removed parts with internal prosthetics. I now have internal hardware for my lower femur (lower thigh and top of knee bone), a large portion of my tibia (shin bone), and a total knee replacement.
I was left with limited physical ability in my left limb, and after completing one year of physical therapy to learn to walk again, I realized that my prior passion of running was no longer an option.
Then, in fall 2022, I helped crew for my husband when he completed the Life Time Leadville 100 MTB race. The multiple athletes with a variety of physical limitations inspired me, and by the time the day concluded, I was determined to overcome my physical limitations while on a bike.
With extensive help from my husband, Dan, who made numerous fit and pedal adjustments to my bike as my leg and knee improved, I slowly began my cycling journey.
Although my training sessions were limited due to physical limitations, I utilized Zwift training plans in the winter season and signed up for Copper Triangle 2024, a 79-mile race through the Rocky Mountains, for a long-term goal to keep me motivated.
After that race, I participated in the Life Time Big Sugar Classic, a 50-mile gravel race in Bentonville, Arkansas. Challenging and fun, it was tougher gravel than what I’m used to in Wisconsin. This made finishing it even sweeter! My next cycling goal is to participate in Unbound Gravel in Kansas, May 2025, with Dan.
Cycling helped restore the pieces that cancer took from me. When I lost the ability to run, there was a void in my health and mental well-being, and cycling has filled that hole. I also proved to myself that I am not defined by my limitations, rather I am discovering a strength that I didn’t know I had.
As a newcomer to the cycling sport and culture, I can say that having a partner that you can train with, that pushes you out of your comfort zone, will help you discover a strength that you didn’t know existed. Plus, sitting in a draft when you get tired is nice, too!
These three tips have led to my cycling success:
1. Be consistent
Set up a training schedule that is conducive to your normal life. If you don’t have the time for five workouts a week, accept that. Find a balance that fits into your life, and plan around that.
2. Don’t be afraid to fail
Recently, I took a fall while out riding. I was caught unaware by a rock and ended up in a heap on the side of the road. After making sure no one saw, and making sure the bike was okay, I thought, that wasn’t too bad. The bruises and cuts will fade, but that mental toughness is a handy tool.
3. Have a partner/bike shop that likes to maintain bikes
Being new to the sport, some of the nuance that comes with keeping my bikes in good shape is a little overwhelming. I don’t know what I don’t know, so it’s nice to have a supportive spouse/friend/shop that can help me with this!
Sherah’s Must-Have Gear
→ Garmin Varia: This combination tail light with radar has helped me adjust to traffic and is the one item I never cycle without! I would recommend this to any new cyclist.
→ Oakley Sunglasses: I struggled with all the sunglasses I owned when I started cycling. They were either too dark or too light, depending on whether I was on the road or trail. I read about these Oakley glasses and tried them, and I love them.
→ Skratch Hydration: I’m still a work in progress when it comes to nutrition and fueling on longer rides, but I’ve had great luck with Skratch.
We want to hear how cycling changed you! Send your story and submit your photos to us via this web form. We’ll pick one each week to highlight on the site.
Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS, Men's Health, and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health, Runner's World, PEOPLE, and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.
