My first blog post! I know that my family and friends back home will be excited, and I’m glad I can finally find the time and energy to share my journey with them.The past two and a half weeks have been amazing. I can’t say everything went wonderfully well, but I have learned a lot so far: sleeping anywhere anytime, gobbling up my food in seconds, being comfortable licking food off chain-greased hands, biking no-hands, fixing flats, living together with a team of 28 interesting and unique characters, etc.During my bike rides, I am constantly reminded of God's power as I take in the stunning beauty of his creation. I kind of miss the mountains, now that we are riding through cornfields and cornfields of flat Illinois. The scenery is way nicer when we are on the mountains, but I guess the trade off is an easier ride. I also thank God for his protection over me and the team so far. There has not been any serious accidents, and injuries have been healing. I fell twice on our 107 mile day due to riding too close to the person in front of me, but other than a few holes in my jersey, very tiny scraps on my legs, and a sore wrist, I'm still alive and kicking. Two days ago I started feeling pain in my left knee while riding. Hopefully these next few days of short rides will give it sufficient rest.I'm at Lauren's house right now. Spent the night here. Lauren's family has been wonderfully nice, and I love it here. Thank you Mr and Mrs Mazurski for everything! You guys are a funny bunch of people. :) We had a yummy steak dinner and watched 'The Messengers' (which was a pretty good movie but we all fell asleep to) last night. I hope the rain will stop for the party Lauren is having later on today.
Shorewood, Illinois, 60404. Or: Signs, Smiles, and a Nation-Shaped Cake.
Oh me, oh my!The past few days have been quite eventful. Arriving in Champaign-Urbana proved terrific, riding in through Urbana, seeing last year's stomping grounds and ending at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center. Two I4K alums joined us for the ride from Homer Lake to Urbana (Dana and Connie). After meeting with a few of the UI-affiliates that help make our dream a reality, the team split up for the first time. I met up with a few friends, ate a few foods, and told a few stories. I'm thankful for the friends I have and stopping in Champaign helped me to remember how great they are (special thanks to Zak M. and Kevin K.) The next morning, we rode out to Clifton--a ride on which I encountered my first flat. C'est la vie.Clifton was a terrific stayover. Largely due to the combination of amazing food provided by Tracey's parents and padded pews. I fell asleep around 7:30p and slept until 5:30a. Too awesome. That morning I proved to the world that 4 years of mastering Tetris during high school math classes were actually practical when Diana and I began our first day as van-packers. Flawless victory.The ride to Homewood was a blast. Random Assignment Ride Day: pt II was yet another success. Great friends. It became surreal riding on streets like Harlem. Homewood has become etched in my memory as one of my favorite stayovers, and please. Let me tell you why:-Super successful team meeting (sorry '07, '08, and '09, but this year's team is hands down the best)-So much great food for dinner-So much great food for breakfast-Reading "Horton Hears a Who" and "Goodnight, Moon" (with Max, Mary, & Tracey)-11 minute song about zombies (with Lauren & Steve)-Being super excited to ride to Chicago.The Homewood-Chicago ride was too great for words (but I'll try). The euphoria of city riding and the natural high of coming into the city powered the team through the most humid day of riding thus far in our epic. As we neared the city, masses of people wearing red, black, and white for the Blackhawks parade enveloped our paths, but we didn't mind. As we cycled around the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the city timidly peeked herself from behind the museum campus, only to greet us with open arms and feelings of great accomplishment. As we dismounted from our steeds, I heard outsiders speaking ("They're riding from New York to San Francisco! Yeah! On their BIKES!") as they read our jerseys. Signs, smiles, and a nation-shaped cake signaled the end of the ride. Millennium Park was hectic with patrons of the park, blues fest gatherers, and Blackhawk parade spectators, but this was our moment. Family and friends cheered and hoorayed as we walked down the path. After a bout of pictures and laughs, we made our way over to the UIC dorms to get our key and coincidentally, meet the 4K for Cancer--another cross-country-cancer-fighting-cycling organization. Not only are our jerseys very strikingly similar, but they all ride the same bike as me! The director of 4k (Jose) even has the same handlebar tape as me (which confused many people. Conor even stopped Jose when he tried taking his bike elsewhere, thinking Jose was stealing mine). It was great to meet people who have the exact same mindset as we do. There's much to learn from them, and I'm excited to share stories when we meet up in San Francisco.Alas. Now I'm at home, in my parents' living room, typing on my computer. Quite bizarre to think I'll be back on the road in 24 hours. It feels like the past two and a half weeks have been a dream. I'm ready for the rest of the trip, and after looking at the map my parents have in their kitchen to track my cross-country progress, am excited to say, without doubt, that I know I can do the rest of this trip, but surely not without the help from my teammates who I miss already.San Francisco or bust!
Chicagoo!!! 06/11-06/12
Soo after my short trip back to Chicago to see the doctor Thursday and then back to Homewood for the night, I am again back in my home for the weekend (: Knee update: the doctor's appointment went pretty well, I took a painful shot of cortisone like a champ and "didn't even cry," my mother was so impressed. Stocking up on some more vicodin and anti-inflammatorys that I'm NOT allergic too (wooo - I can't do ibuprofin or anything of the sort), I think I'm ready for the next leg of this trip.The short 33 mile ride into Chicago ended up being closer to 40something for Mary, Steve, and I. We wanted to get the full Chicago experience: off-roading through gravel and bumps, bypassing a few creeks, walking down some train tracks, ending up in Indiana, all to return back to this one lovely pizza place for a second time... and it was closed, typical. We stopped at South Shore beach for our rest stop, bringing back the lovely memories of my high school job with the Chicago Park District... 20 6 year old boys running rampant through the water... oh how it haunts me. We took off and after finally getting through the chaos that was left over from the Hawks parade, we walked our bikes into Millennium Park to a very warm greeting from family, friends, and left over Hawks fans who had no idea why they were cheering. So much fun.Ma and Pa picked up Priscilla, Shao, and myself and we headed toward the south side, stopping at Tony's along the way (best Italian beef ever!!). For dinner, as I have been requesting since I decided to do this trip, my mother cooked us up steak and potatoes, and it was glorious, Moms are the best.With Priscilla and Shao taking the place of two of my brother's, we rented The Messenger, popped some corn, and had a family movie night. I'm not sure if the movie was good or not, because as expected, we all fell asleep on the couches before it ended.Today is my rest day in Chicago so of course my mother and Ms. McCormick are planning a bash in the backyard. From what I'm being told, food was being prepared until 2am, and my mother is about to get started on some more in the kitchen... plus there's a monster of a tent in the backyard to shield out the rain. I'm all about the "all out" or nothing mentality, so I'm not complaining. The only other thing I should do I suppose is draft a presentation of my trip so far with a question and answer session... I mean, this will be the main topic of discussion anyways... kidding, I could talk about this trip on repeat all day, and I'm sure I will (:
Home: A Brief Interlude
This trip is an incredible experience. Already, I am amazed by so many things that I will have a hard time describing; but all the same, I will try my best.First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has donated to this cause. Cancer is a clear and present danger, and whether or not you donated in my name, I feel touched by the generosity that people have shown, and still continue to do so, for this cause. In particular, I'd like to mention the special support of the fraternity brothers of my father. While I have met only a few of them, their support for the ride and for me has been tremendously encouraging. While cancer took my father away from me before my second birthday, I know what a great guy he must have been to inspire such warmth in his name from his brothers. I have no idea how to respond to you guys, but it seems like this small offer of doing what I love to do and riding my bicycle is not nearly enough.I think it's important that everyone be made clear as to how this whole trip began. While the purpose of the organization, raising awareness and money for cancer research, seemed like a good idea at the time, I really just wanted to bike across the country when I started. I figured that a good cause was a good excuse, and there was none better than to ride for such a relevant disease. I've come to realize that that is no longer why I ride. While my passion for cycling has far from diminished, I've been touched by the responses I've gotten from people when I told them we were riding for cancer. After getting money from people we pass on the street, getting food donations from people who want to support us (they're supporting us because we're supporting the cause) and just listening to people as they talk about how cancer has affected their lives, I've seen that the reason to ride is much larger than myself. And while I do get bragging rights (I can't wait to say to my grandchildren, "When I was your age, I rode my bicycle across the country. Do you even know what a bicycle is?") that fact that this money can make a tangible difference in the lives of so many others is simply incredible. I've heard about some of the progress that is being made in terms of creating vaccines that may prevent certain types of cancer. That is just unbelievable to think that I could be helping anyone-at-some-point-ever be spared this tragedy, and them not being any the wiser that they were even at risk. I could go on and on about specific stories about how individuals have shaped this inclination, but that wouldn't fit in one blog post.And on so many other levels has this trip been eye-opening. To name just one thing, I'm going to talk about one particular story that I don't know what all you know about, but one that has made quite an impact on me. Jeff Reardon broke his bike on the second day; I'm sure you probably already knew that. But what I'm not sure if you know about is how he responded to that. He took that heartbreaking incident in stride. His bike was rendered unridable, and that same day he was helping out in the van, and keeping his cool. I know that I would have exploded in frustration if this had happened to me, and we should all be glad that it hasn't. Because then, we'd have a problem. Instead, we have Jeff. He kept his anger at bay and not once did I see him snap or appear anything less than positive. I barely knew him at the time, but all I can say is that I wished I had the strength that he had to get back on the road. And even after having more unique bike issues that would push anyone else past the tipping point, I don't know of anyone else who could have done what he did. So, Jeff, way to go. You get the frustrations, but you also inspire others to live like you do. I've heard more complaints about big hills than I've heard from you, and that is incredible.There has been just so much going on here that I can't tell about. It's about a team, a goal, and a journey that exists within the riders. And from there, we try to share what we can, to repay what is shared with us.
Homecoming
Today is going to be a good day. That is what was going through the riders head's this morning as they filled up on pancakes, french toast, doughnuts, orange juice, milk and I can't remember the rest. A great breakfast equals a great day, that's what I always say. On top of that wake up time was later than usual today as well as take off time. Wait for it, it only gets better today's ride was a 33 mile cake walk into Chicago. The route was slightly confusing today but everyone made it through.One of the more exciting moments of the day was when a a bat was found. It was unable to fly for some reason and seemed very mellow. We put it in a basket, stared at it for a while and then called animal control. Animal control came by and said that bats in that area had been having a disease lately. No one touched the bat so everyone was safe from getting bat flu.The team arrived in Millennium Park shortly after 12:00 pm to be greeted by an uproar of people, 90 percent of which weren't there for us at all but that's besides the point. Even though a lot of the people were there for other reasons such as the Hawks Parade we still had a lot of family and friend supporters and random people cheered for us. It was great experience and definitely made arriving in Chicago amazing. Many pictures were taken, hugs were shared, cake was eaten, you know how it goes. Got a little I4Krazy and everyone went there separate ways for the rest day tomorrow. It is going to be strange not being around 28 riders for a day or so because we've been spending every waking minute with each other for the past couple weeks. The Illini 4000 will reunite and ride out of Chicago on Sunday around 10 am.
Sweet Home, Oak Park
Hello world!!Can you dig it that we actually made it to Chicago? On our bikes? From New York City? 1200 miles across mountains, hills, state lines, time zones, etc?! Its surreal but still so real.The last few days have been most special to us, I believe. We've made it out of the mountains and into the flat corn and soybean desert that we're most accustomed to. Rolling into Urbana was especially emotional. Just outside the town of Allerton, we approached an intersection that I remember asking drivers for directions during one of our first training rides. The ride after that was on familiar turf with a stop at Homer Lake, the site of our first training ride (in which 2 flats within 2 miles kept me put in Urbana and unable to finish the training ride). Riding with friends and I4k alums, Dana and Connie, was quite the trip but totally awesome.Rolling out of Urbana was sad and joyous. Having just graduated from U of I with no concrete plans for my life, that trip to Urbana may have been my last. Leaving a place I called home for the last 4 years was tough but it is time to move on and learn more about the world without the filter presented by a university. Peace out, UC.I am now in my childhood room in my house in Oak Park. Already did a load of laundry and in the process of washing my sleeping bag. Did you know that washing a down sleeping bag is a PAIN?! Those things weigh at least 80 pounds when they're wet and they probably never dry. We'll see what the dryer can do.Time to enjoy the rest day featuring some of my mom's cookin' and some good company! Salaam!
Back Home
Today was one of our shorter ride days, only ~35 miles, but it has definitely felt like a long day. We left Homewood, IL a little bit later than usual this morning full of good food and excitement. Our stay over in Homewood graciously cooked us dinner last night and a fantastic breakfast in the morning to send of us off to Chicago. Also, last night I was able to meet up with some family and friends which was amazing. Even though it's only been a little over two weeks, I feel like I have missed so much back home and last night was a great stress free evening to catch up.Our ride into Chicago was eventful to say the least. Our routes can be misleading at times, which today caused some groups to ride in to Indiana more than once. With the Blackhawks parade, the Cubs-Sox game, and the Blues Fest all going on in Chicago today we were riding into a busy area, and that really means something considering we're talking about downtown Chicago. After meeting up on the lake front our team dodged our way into Millenium Park and into a large group of people awaiting our arrival. It was awesome to see so many people this year, from family and friends to alumni riders to the folks from ACS, everyone was so supportive. It was really nice to see and talk to parents knowing how relieved they were to see their sons and daughters safe and sound for the first time in weeks. At one point we squeezed in near the Bean for some team photos before riding over to the dorms at UIC where we have arrangements to stay. Once everyone secured their bikes and bags, riders began to head out with their families/ friends to enjoy the rest of their day. The UIC dorms are actually really nice and have tons of room, beds to sleep on and showers in every room. These are all luxuries after getting used to our life on the road.Once all the riders were taken care of I was able to take a quick shower before meeting with some riders from 4k for Cancer, a similar organization that puts on cross country bike rides raising money for cancer research. The 4k just happens to be staying at the UIC dorms as well tonight before they head out to Kankakee tomorrow. Our two organizations haven't crossed paths since our inaugural year back in 2007, so I was very excited to meet with them to talk about how their ride is going. We shared similar stories about the rides, food, and generous people, but also shared tips for how both of our groups can improve. Even though the 4k for Cancer has been around longer, I felt that both of our groups came out of the discussion with new ideas. I think what I enjoyed best with meeting with the 4k for Cancer is to see other young college students from an entirely different side of the country also working to make a difference. It's so easy to just give up on a cause, but there are groups like us still working hard and fighting for a cause they believe in. I certainly hope our two groups can stay in contact in the future, beyond when I and the students I spoke with are around.So now I have a few other I4k chores to attend to before enjoying a little free time tomorrow. When we return after our rest day our two new ride leaders, Jordan and Steve, will be taking over some responsibilities and I can't wait to see what they are capable of. Both gentlemen are perfect for the role and I think only great things lie ahead of us!
Chicago
Oh man what a ride so far. Today was surreal.Around mile twenty we picked up the route I took to school every day last semester, and the change of context was jarring for me at first--probably similar to how it felt for the rest of the team to ride into Chambana. Tingly, kind of!The ride itself was nice--Lake Michigan and all--and I found a pretty sweet goose-feather to put on Debra, and at one point we passed the beach on which my profile picture for the I4K website was taken. The humidity was oppressive but it was a gas, us sliding into the Blues Fest/Blackhawks fanfare as a team, and showing off our gorgeous tan-lines and deep-V's (much love to Sean Laude) and taking categorized pictures based on gender or chore partners or etc or etc! The Bean was as reflective as ever but we could not lay under it because it was cordoned off, so no excitin' upward stares from beneath.But we didn't care! We had wonderful representatives from the American Cancer Society with us, and wonderful alumni riders (much love to Centurions) who made us a cake shaped like America with bikes going across it and everything! There were even brownie mountains. So now we can think, the next time we are challenged by arduous climbs "I already ate you, mountain, and you were delicious."From there the team rode to UIC's Marie Robinson Hall (which I never lived in; I was in Courtyard my freshman year) for the assignment of rooms and the distribution of teams, and the crossing of paths with the 4K for Cancer team (MRH is the dorm of choice for cancer-fighting-country-crossing-cyclists).Next, a mass exodus and more things to do in the next 36 hours than we can collectively shake two, even three sticks at. Spectacular first thousand or so miles. Good to be home.
Chicago!!!
Today we got a late wake up...0630!!! The extra sleep and the amazing breakfast provided by the church which included pancakes, french toast, fruit, and hot coffee prepared us for our long 30 mile ride today. We also listened to Kanye West's Homecoming, Chicago's anthem, to get us pumped for the ride into Chicago. Soon after Eamon read the Little Engine That Could to us for his Mosher which was great motivation for the ride. We began the ride into Chicago which took us through some pretty shady neighborhoods and got really lost. Our 30 mile ride soon turned into a 40 mile ride. We finally arrived to Millennium Park in a very anti-climatic entrance...we walked our bikes into the park. The park was filled with Blackhawk fans and Illini 4000 supporters who made us feel like Lance Armstrong. After taking approximately a million pictures we ate cake and rode to the UIC dorms to pick up our gear and drop off our bikes. Jeff and I ate lunch with my brother Johnny and my Mom while watching the World Cup match with France vs. Uruguay. Afterwards. we drove to my big brother Kevin's house and took showers, washed clothes, and relaxed while watching Toy Story and Hercules. A great day!
Team Ride Surpise
Rise and shine, it's Random Ride Group day. Every so often the Illini 4000 participates in a random drawing of who will ride with who. This is an idea that was thought of to help merge the team together and give people a chance to talk to more teammates. Today was the second time the random groups were picked.The team was roughin it this morning when breakfast was called and cold spaghetti was the main course with a side of corn bread and some fruit. Breakfast of champions. It fueled us well for the day to come which was a rather short 60 miles into Homewood. We were provided lunch and dinner, nothing short of a feast. Thanks to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church!Other than that, the next biggest event that occurred was the close to 3 hour long team meeting. It was very productive and many topics/concerns of the riders were discussed. The most exciting part of the meeting was that two new ride leaders were chosen! Congratulations to Steve Oden and Jordan Whicker! Tomorrow is the long awaited homecoming to Chicago where the 4K for Cancer will also be. Riders are very excited about seeing family, friends, and home for most. Meet ya at da Bean.
Ride Along Details
As mentioned before, this year's Ride Along from Chicago will be departing from Millennium Park at 10am on Sunday June 12th. The Ride Along has two distance options, either 15 miles to Evanston, or the full 28 miles to Highland Park. Food and beverages will be provided to all participants and there is a suggested donation of $10 to participate in the ride along. A helmet is required for all participants. While we will be riding in groups for the entire ride, the route for the Ride Along is posted below in case you would like to have a set of directions.
| Distance | Turn | Town |
| 0 | START AT Millenium Park in front of the Bean | Chicago |
| RIGHT on Randolph St. This is the Upper level of Randolph | ||
| 0.4 | RIGHT on sidewalk near Cancer Survivors Memorial, Upper Randolph terminates. | |
| LEFT towards bike path paralleling Lake Shore Drive. | ||
| 0.6 | RIDE UNDERNEATH Lake Shore Drive on E. Randolph | |
| 0.7 | LEFT onto Chicago Lakefront Trail until it terminates at Ardmore Ave. | |
| 8.7 | CONTINUE west on W. Ardmore Ave. for two blocks Westbound bike lane is counter-traffic and on the right side of the street. |
|
| 8.8 | RIGHT on N. Kenmore | |
| 9.3 | LEFT on W. Granville Ave. | |
| 10.2 | RIGHT on Ravenswood (before the Metra viaduct) | |
| 12.3 | RIGHT on Estes for one block | |
| 12.3 | LEFT on Clark | |
| 12.9 | CONTINUE on Chicago Ave. | Evanston |
| 14.7 | STOP at Raymond Park. This concludes the first part of the ride-along |
|
| CONTINUE north on Chicago Ave. to go to Highland Park | ||
| 15 | LEFT at Clark St. (BECOMES Elgin Rd.) | |
| 15.2 | RIGHT at Sherman Ave. | |
| 16 | LEFT at Lincoln St. | |
| 16.4 | RIGHT at Asbury Ave. | |
| 16.9 | LEFT at Isabella St. | |
| 17.6 | RIGHT at Poplar | |
| 18.1 | CONTINUE on Green Bay Trail after crossing Wilmette Ave. The trail parallels the railroad tracks for its entire length |
|
| 28.1 | ARRIVE in Highland Park Highland Park |
Easy and fun ride today!
This is my first post. I finally got my computer and am able to update everyone on my adventures on the road.Today we randomly picked groups to ride with. I rode with Stephen, Greg, Szymon, and Jordan today...four great guys that I never thought I could keep up with. But we all kept a 17 mile per hour average pace the entire 60 miles...I couldn't believe it! We had a great time and rode even faster to get to Coldstone to get an Got to Have it Oreo Overload. After our ice cream break we had a great lunch followed by our team meeting were we voiced our concerns, ideas, and voted for new ride leaders. Stephen and Jordan were picked as our new ride leaders!
The Short Mosher Song
Mosher is the game we play every day on this trip. Basically we try to secretly give the Mosher card to another rider. If the other person holds the card for more than five seconds then he has to either give the card to someone else before breakfast or say something inspiring before we ride out.In the morning of the day entering Champaign-Urbana, I was kind of homesick because everyone else was going to see their families and friends and I didn’t even have a place to stay. However, it was actually one of the best days so far. I ended up staying in Ana’s apartment (Thanks to Ana and his brother Johnny), had my first Mexican food and watched a movie.I told this short story in the beginning of my Mosher, but I never had the chance to say that the past two weeks with I4Kers are the best time I had since I came to America. You are my family and best friends and I love you all.I wrote a short song for I4K and sang it in my Mosher. I hope everyone enjoys it.And I need to say that Stephe and Eamon are the music genius in our team. The last two lines are their creation. Thank you so much for your inspiration.The Short Mosher SongNate is the tallestDiana is the youngestIf you ask Eric who is the hottestHe will say "Mary and Michell"It won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longMegan loves to textJaime loves to chatJordan is the king of the flatDisha has a wheel on her bagEamon has these big round eyesReminds me of the cat in ShrekIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longAna is nice, she helps me with my bikeTracy is fast, but she never leads the rideAs to Shea, my favorite Irish in the worldYou are the only Irish I knowStephe and Lauren are always togetherPriscilla weights as loght as a featherGreg is an energetic riderConor is an magnificant leaderIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longBridget yelled "Demon"When Jeff's bike chain fell offPi won the FarckleGabrielle's ear rings sparklesKevin got the Mosher andTaught us all crumps OIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longJill loves to laughSzymon likes to smileI can not describe this guyI can only say his name is KyleI can't fill Max in the lineBecause no word can complete to rhymeIf you give lovely Shao some timeYou will find her sweet and kindIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longIt won't last long, it won't last long, this short song won't last longTwenty-eight peopleSeventy-two daysCentral park New York to San FranciscoSing-along and go and goI-4-KWe gonna make it all the wayI-4-KWe gonna make it all the way
Potluck Cancelled
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the potluck planned for Friday evening has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We still look forward to seeing you as we arrive into Millennium Park tomorrow at noon, and at our Ride Along on Sunday at 10am.
Champaign, Clifton, Homewood 06/08-06/10
After a crazy night of karaoke and a wonderful breakfast, the team woke up early for the ride into Champaign. Scheduled to ride in at 3pm, we lollygaged our way into Illinois; some slept for hours at rest stops, some saved a kitten, and others rocked out to the sweet sounds of Nate's playlists. We grouped up about 2 blocks away from the Alumni Center with the attempt to ride in together... Conor, Steve, and I tailed in the back and found out how easy a group of 28 can get split up by a few cars and a red light. 25 riders showed up to a warm greeting at 3pm and us 3 showed up fashionably late at 3:02.Since I forgot the keys to my apartment, whoops, a lovely group of females took in Steve and I. Jacquelin, Ali, Angie, Colleen and Whitney (shout out!) opened their apartment for food, baths, laundry, sleeping locations, and a movie night. My only request was Mac'n'Cheese for dinner and Jacq made it happen. She followed the main course meal with a tasty desert: brownies with chocolate frosting and butterfingers and deliciousness. While the rest of the team was out and about mingling in Champaign, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep around 8:30 until Jacq moved me into her absurdly comfortable bed.The next morning we had a late start. Diana had the mosher and I must say, no one will ever top it. She wrote a song including a shout out to everyone on the team... I loved seeing "the other side of Diana." Personally, my favorite part was how she nailed each individual person so perfectly. 10 months ago, we were all perfect strangers, and now we spend every waking moment together, getting to know each other probably too well.The ride into Clifton was long and boring. I'm pretty sure there was a point in the day where I just thought "UGH I hate this bike." No worries though, I still love Hilary. The day was just hot and tedious, cornfield after cornfield. Resisting from falling asleep on the bike seemed to be a common goal and it didn't help that our cues forgot to mention that 68 miles really means 74.The one thing that did motivate me to get there was knowing that upon arrival my mother would be waiting to bring me home for a doctor's appointment the next day. I've been riding through the pain, popping pain killers and just making it work. Most of my teammates can tell you that about every 25-30 miles I start to hurt, pull over, take another one and just go. It has helped to be in Illinois, land of no hills... I even wrote a song riding into Champaign about how much I love Illinois, but that was 2 days ago so of course I forgot it.Moving on... my mother picked me up and obliged to my request of cold grapes waiting for me in the car. We stopped at R.E.I. and Dick's to pick up some necessities and drove into Chicago where my bed anxiously awaited my arrival. Who would have thought that sleeping alone in a room in a bed would have been so weird. It took me about, oh I dunno, 45 seconds to get used to it again before I was knocked out sleeping. This morning was different... I took a hot bubble bath and blew my hair dry... I look so gorgeous I belong modeling in New York fashion week. Instead, I blog from my basement, waiting for my appointment at 10:45am, praying for a miracle, and missing my team. I go back to them this afternoon, and tomorrow we ride into Chicago :)... and while I'm super pumped about the Hawks winning the cup, the parade is downtown tomorrow at noon... the exact time for our arrival into Millennium Park... this ought to be interesting.
Where are we going again?
After a long needed rest in Champaign-Urbana, the Illini 4000 set out for Clifton, IL, or is it Chebanse? We had some confusion where we were headed due to a typo on the website. But yes indeed it was Clifton and one thrilling ride through monotonous flat land and challenging head winds. Fun!Todays ride was special because three previous riders - Kristen Tully, Adam Boczar, and Matt Harlan - were with us. Kristen graciously drove the van and provided close support for the riders, while Matt and Adam joined for the ride. Another reason today was special was because Diana Luo showed us "a whole other side of Diana" by performing a song she wrote about all the riders. Look for a post update for the lyrics soon! The song was delightfully shocking and brightened up the day.The weather was hot and humid and the ride turned out to be quite a few miles longer than expected but hearing an encore performance of Diana's song at our lunchbreak kept our spirits lifted! Eventually we arrived in Clifton and were welcomed with a great meal Tracey Shafer's thoughtful parents as well as the church. We can't thank them enough! The team is looking forward to the next few easier days heading into home sweet home Chicago!
Back in the CU
Well the team all survived the hills and heat of Appalachia and enjoyed some cooler days on more level ground. I'm currently sitting in Sara Petranek's apartment drinking some morning coffee (!!) getting ready to head out for our ride to Chebanse. We got to sleep in a little since we're not leaving till 9 today!We arrived in Champaign yesterday around 3 and were greeted by family, friends and some members of the Uof I Alumni Association who provided us a lovely welcoming reception. I was greeted by friends Sara, Hughie, Ashley, Holly and Jason. Sara made a fabulous dinner and it was great to be back some place familiar and sleep in a bed.Next stop, Chicago! I'm excited to see more family and friends. Throughout this trip I have been blown away by the kindness and generosity of strangers who we have met on the road along the way and who have taken us in every night.After I left for this trip, I learned that a close family member was diagnosed with cancer. This news really solidified in my mind why I am doing the ride and reoriented my perspective about the summer. I will think of her energy and smile every day.
Champaign-Urbana, IL 6/8/2010
Home sweet home! Well.... kind of. Riding in to Champaign was surreal. Couldn't believe that my training miles were spent on these roads. We enjoyed a hot breakfast of pancakes and eggs in Rockville and quickly set out to Champaign. We were prepared for massive amount of rain on a strict time schedule. We were set to arrive in Champaign at 3pm.I totally forgot that we gained an hour when we entered Illinois. It really doesn't matter too much to me because time isn't really felt on this trip. I remember one day and three different instances where the group I was riding with had a conversation about what day it was. Each day feels like four. Is that a bad thing? Probably not.Today was a very easy 78 miles. I didn't push hard. Illinois helped with being extremely flat. It was interesting to see my perspective change on the beauty of Illinois. Before, I thought that Illinois being flat was very boring. Today, as I looked over miles and miles of flat land, it took my breath. Sometimes, less is more. Good job Illinois.Our first break was spent in front of a house on a country road. We were there for about two hours. Most of the time was spent napping. It must have been a weird sight for the owners of the house to see 28 bikers asleep on their front lawn. Don't worry- we didn't give up there. Pedal... pedal... pedal...Helpless kitty! Jill jumps to the rescue to save the kitty. Although I don't like cats, I appreciated her care and love for the kitten in distress.We stopped at Homer Lake for lunch before we rode into Urbana. Homer Lake is pretty significant to the team because it was the destination of our first training ride in April. The ride was 30 miles- difficult at the time. This time we arrived with 62 miles under our belt with another 15 for the return to Urbana. It is amazing how much this team has grown in the past year- I hope it will never stop growing.Our reception into the University of Illinois was decorated with rain and alumni. The alumni's hospitality was inviting and conversational. It was nice to be able to talk about my experience with the Other Guys to the alumni. I spend a lot of time with the group at school; however, outside of school, the group is kind of insignificant to someone unfamiliar with Illinois.Tonight I am staying at a friend's apartment. A nice taste of home- warm showers, clean clothes, brownies and air conditioning. Movie night and then lights out.
To Mas Amigos we go.
Although I won't actually be heading to Mas Amigos today in Champaign, I had to show some love for my preferred Mexican restaurant on campus while we're around. It's awesome that we have arrived to a place where we have our own restaurant preferences, being in a place we have been before is novel to most of the riders this year.We've only been here for a few hours, but it already feels like a rest day to me. Thanks to my sister's generous hospitality I've already had my fill of sweets, taken a shower drying off with a full sized towel, and next is dinner at a sushi restaurant! So awesome! Although our stayovers have been incredible so far this year, there's nothing like being back on campus. It's weird to think about, but tonight will be the longest I will have been away from the entire team since NYC. Of course with my free time here I hope to meet up with some of my teammates from last year while we're around. I kind of wish we had a rest day here tomorrow, but it helps to know that Chicago is only a couple of days away. More details soon!
On your marks... Rockville, IN 6/7/2010
I woke up this morning to the glorious smell of McDonald's sausage mcmuffins, freshly cut apples and oranges and chocolate milk. I quickly hammered out 5 mcmuffins, an apple and a glass of chocolate milk. Don't forget the cookies!Anticipation was high today for a flat 68 miles. What was even more exciting was the chance to ride with an alumni rider, Dan Bartholomew. I was excited to ride with him because he races bikes. He had a race yesterday and won. His bike is a sick Cannondale Super Six with some custom components. The front group was in for a fun day. Mind you Dan hadn't put 1000 miles on his bike two weeks prior as we have.We started out fast. Dan hung out near the back of the pack. The pace was set somewhere around 21 miles an hour. We roared through Indiana. The leads began to filter to the back as they became tired. About five miles in, Dan took the lead. Conor and I encouraged him to challenge us. Here came a hill... and... we take it at 27 miles an hour! Half the group drops. We keep a crazy pace for about another mile and a half until he goes to the back of the much smaller pack. We try to hold a pace around 23 and succeed. Later in the ride, Conor talks some smack to Dan just before Dan was about to take the lead. Dan takes off and holds pace at 31 miles an hour. I was in my highest gear pedaling as fast as I could. It just wasn't happening. We finished the first 40 miles in 2 hours. We beat the van to the rest stops. Nuts. And fun. Dan left at mile 30, so when Conor, Greg and I left our rest stop at 40, we dogged the remainder of the ride.The church we stayed at was extremely accommodating. They were really excited to hear about our ride and our motivations behind it. One woman told me about a young lady who passed away from breast cancer in March who was a member of their church. It is remarkable how open people are once they find that the person that they are talking to is a cancer survivor. Only then do the stories pour out. Everyone knows someone, everyone has a story. Biking across the country can easily fool someone into thinking that every cancer case is just like the other. Wrong. Every case is unique and special to the whole community surrounding the diagnosis. This community included us today, even if the person diagnosed had passed away.The church cooked us an awesome spaghetti dinner. During conversation, a man mentioned that they hold karaoke nights at the church. With a little more conversation, he convinced himself to set up the karaoke for just us! I4Khoir? I4Karaoke? Yup. The night was a blast. I heard some people sing that I never have heard before! We sounded wonderful and successfully kept the others up with a shouty rendition of "Lean on Me."My favorite part of the night was when I found a piano to play. I haven't touched a piano since the beginning of the trip! Eamn sat right next to me and showed that he knew how to play a little piano himself. Together, we combined our talents to create an I4k blues. Awesome.Tonight, I sleep on a couch. Call me princess.