Today started with breakfast and a Mosher, done by Christine, with the skies overcast and looking like they were ready to drench us with rain. Fortunately, they held out as we rode out 70 miles into Albert Lea, MN at a brisk pace. The first group to arrive began to visit local food places for donations. It wasn't long before the owner of a local Mexican restaurant approached us, asking how our ride was going. He told us that his restaurant was closed tonight, but only so that he could cater for a special party. He had remembered the Illini 4000 when we came through town last year and some riders had eaten at his rastaurant, and he happily invited us to the party at his house for dinner. As it turns out, it was his son's graduation party. Nothing like a bunch of college kids crashing a high school graduation party! Despite how odd the whole situation was to start, everyone there was extremely welcoming and interested in hearing from us. They were happy to feed us endless amounts of Mexican and Chinese food, and boy were we happy to eat it! They even passed around a basket to the parents and collected donations for us, which totaled almost $200! It's a shame we only have a few more days in this state; Minnesotans have been so good to us!
Mayo Clinic!
Ahhhhhh we went to the Mayo Clinic today. It was so awesome. I can't even believe I stood there. In all of my Community Health classes and my work at the Public Health Department I always hear about Mayo Clinic. I read Mayo's research and I am constantly learning about the accomplishments that have been made. I couldn't believe I was actually in those halls today. What an honor! This trip has made me cherish every minute of every day and it's so good to get a pay off like seeing the Mayo Clinic on a day off. Thanks to everyone that showed us around and spoke to us. My sincerest wishes go to all of the people that we did portraits with yesterday at the Hope Lodge. It is so inspiring to hear those stories and it makes me appreciate every minute of my life. Thank you all for giving me a face to put to my ride. I know what I'm riding for and I now have people to remind me that each struggle is worth so much.
Thank you!
We wanted to take the opportunity to thank our donors again for all that they have helped us to achieve. Due to the generosity of each and every donor, we have been able to complete 1600 miles across the country and we can now say that we are nearly accomplishing our goal of 125,000 for cancer research and we are only a third of the way through the trip. Thank you all so much for everything that you have done, your support means everything to us and keeps us going.We would also like to give a huge thanks to all of the people that have taken care of us along the way. Each and every stayover has done a marvelous job and by opening its doors to us. We have been so fortunate to have been provided meals, lodging, and showers by strangers. Its wonderful to know that such kind people surround us on our journey. Thank you all again for your kindness and generosity.
June 17 Rochester MN
This morning we slept in until 9:00 AM and were awoke by the smell of eggs and sausage wafting through the halls of the Zumbro Lutheran Church. Ron, our new ride leader had purchased breakfast and was made us a hot breakfast to supplement our cereal. After cleaning up and finishing breakfast, we departed for a tour of the Mayo Clinic. We were personally guided to the 16th floor on one of the Mayo Clinic towers and were guided through the Center for Innovation. The Mayo clinic strives to enhance and innovate patient health care and delivery. The environment fostered creativity and utilized broad open windows, glass walled conference rooms, sticky notes and a myriad of employee specialties (engineers, designers, scientists, physicians etc...). The room had the ambiance of an advertising firm or Google headquarters. We were treated to lunch and guided around the Gonda building. We saw Chihuly glass sculptures, Andy Warhol prints, and a message written by a previous rider and cancer survivor. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with local media regarding our experiences. We spent the rest of the day resting, touring, and preparing for our day tomorrow.
June 16 Rochester
Today we woke up at 5:30 in preparation for a long day. After eating cereal, Italian bread and brownies for breakfast, we loaded our gear and gathered outside the church in La Crosse. Our Mosher today consisted of a ninja game where we formed a circle and tried to chop eachother to the theme song from Mortal Combat. Upon leaving La Crosse we crossed the Mighty Mississippi via a long blue bridge and ascended a large Mesa which was the start of Minnesota. The climb was steep and passed in between rocky walls but summited on a ledge overlooking the whole city of La Crosse and the Mississippi river. We were under the assumption that this was the only climb of the day. This was VERY inaccurate and the day consisted of nearly endless climbs with false summits and relentless headwinds. After hours of hard work we climbed our last hill and were greeted by the towers of the Mayo Clinic in the valley town of Rochester. After checking into our church we traveled to the Hope Lodge and interviewed 3 people for the portraits project. The day was capped off by another round of free burritos from Chipotle and pizza from Pizza Hut. Life is good on I4K.
A cold and wet finale to the great state of Wisconsin
This morning we awoke to the pitter patter of rain drops on the windows of Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church. In preparation for the elements, many riders equipped arm and leg warmers and everybody wore a rain coat. Within 5 miles of Reedsburg, rocky mesas began to jut up from the grassy plains of Wisconsin. Huge forests full of towering pines and white birches stretched across the misty landscape.For 88 miles we traveled through central Wisconsin, and our three rest stops were greatly needed. The rain and cold had drained our energy, but we persevered thinking about the cancer patients who go through much worse. In the end, everyone made it into LaCrosse. Upon arriving, we set out around the town in search of food donations. We were well rewarded for our efforts, with a feast of burritos, chicken sandwiches, pizza rolls, and even some bananas from generous local businesses.After dinner we selected our ride leaders for the remainder of the trip. The team voted for Katie and Ron to take us the remaining distance to San Francisco. They'll work closely with Gabrielle and Marc over the next week to ensure a smooth transition. After the elections, many riders turned in early while others worked on their bikes, knowing that we would have another long day ahead of us. However we look forward to our next Event Day, with a visit to the Rochester Hope Lodge and Mayo Clinic.
Home Home Home
Murphy's Law:(noun)---the facetious proposition that if something can go wrong, it will.Although this term doesn't entirely reflect the sequence of events that the riders of the Illini 4000 have encountered, Murphy's Law couldn't have been more applicable to our ride (or at least my ride) into Chicago for 48 hours of "rest" before we continued up through Wisconsin. It started from Homewood, Illinois, only about 30 miles south of Chicago. A seemingly easy day, as 30 miles was the only thing that separated us from a day off with our families. I had planned out a rest stop at my house at about 15 miles in, as we were riding through my neighborhood anyway. I talked to my mom the night before and she said she would prepare snacks and cold drinks, and would even ask our neighbor if we could use her pool for a quick dip to cool off. Sounds like a plan.But as we took off that morning the skies began to darken. I rode at the front of the pack with Sean, Kelsey and Linsey so I could be sure everyone had clear directions to my house. Only a quarter mile into our ride it began to rain. At a half mile, it began to pour. And at one mile in, Kelsey got a flat tire. With the sky dropping sheets of rain on us we fixed the flat as fast as possible, but by then the other groups had passed us. We rode on, deciding to alter our route to save some time. Still only 5 miles in we began riding into flooded streets, each one more deep than the last. We wondered where the other groups were, but figured we must keep riding to catch up. At one point we came to a viaduct that ran parallel with the highway. We rode in and were met with over 3 feet of floodwater. As we were halfway through we saw flashing lights from several cop cars from the other end of the street; they were blocking the entrance, as the street we were riding through was being closed off to cars. We didn't know what else to do but laugh at this point. The girls even took pictures: a huge concrete cave all to ourselves, filled with a river of water for us to wade through. Truly a unique experience. On the other side of the police cars was the rest of our team, who had waited patiently for us so I could direct them onward to my house.We continued on, reminding each other not to drink from our water bottles, which had undoubtedly been submerged in sewage water by then. While riding down Longwood Ave., just about every other block was flooded. Cars were in the middle of the road, seemingly abandoned, and on one block a girl and her younger brother maneuvered a paddle boat through the street.When we finally made it to my house my parents and siblings were all waiting for us, cheering and laughing as 28 smelly riders came down the street. They must have sensed our anguish. As we took off our shoes and piled in the house my mom threw endless heaps of towels around the living room, so that we could sit for a few minutes and warm up before heading north to Millenium Park. She also handed around plates of fruit, chips and cookies for us to eat-all of this while my dad battled the 6 inches of floodwater that had accumulated in our basement that morning. When it rains it pours, literally.From my house we rode northeast and got on the Lakefront Trail. Despite the monstrous headwinds the trail was really enjoyable, and our day culminated at the Bean with family and alumni waiting for us. It's always fun when a ride can go from easy, to wet, to hopeless, to more wet, to awesome, to long, to dreadful, and back to awesome all in the same day, in the same 30 miles. Looking back at it now, while clean and warm and curled up in my sleeping bag, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
So long, Illinois
It is late and I was fortunate enough to snag a couch at our stayover. In other words, my bed is calling so this post will be brief. I just wanted to take a moment to thank a few people before too much time has passed.First, I would like to thank the Rock, Yanz, Doppelt, Winters and Madison families. While riding through the Chicagoland area, all of these families opened their doors to our team (and our family/friends) and completely spoiled us with food, showers, laundry machines, etc. A few weeks ago, these things would not have been terribly out of the ordinary, but after a few weeks on the road, we could not have appreciated the hospitality more. Thanks to all of you!Second, I want to thank Dave and Jill. I feel so fortunate that I have family like you two. It was such a treat to spend the night with you two--a homey atmosphere is always welcome these days, especially when it is filled with kind people!Third, thank you to everyone who joined me at the ride-along and picnic. Amy, Kathleen, Mark, Courtney, Sara, Emmett, Anna, Kyli and Kerri--you guys are great! It was so nice to see so many friends. The support means the world to me. To my family--I was so proud to be surrounded by you all. You guys are truly helping me along this ride. I would like to especially thank my dad for making me an amazing bike playlist! He selected special songs for each state we will ride through. More importantly, though, he had each of my family members (including my younger sister who is studying abroad in Argentina) record a special song/motivational clip for me and mixed that into the playlist as well. I am very excited to listen to everything :)Fourth, I would like to extend a very warm thank you to all of our stayovers. After a long day's ride, I sometimes find myself "bonking" (or crashing) during our last 5-10 miles. By the time we roll into our stayover, it is easy to be overcome by tiredness and frustration. What I have found day after day, however, is that the generosity and kindness of our stayovers repeatedly cheers me up upon arrival. It's pretty hard to be grumpy when people are offering up food, drinks and kind words!Fifth, thanks to all of the alumni who helped to organize the ride-along and picnic. It was so great to celebrate with our families and we raised over $1,200! It was a great start to a wonderful tradition.Lastly, thank you to my teammates! Each and every one of you is amazing and adds your own flair to this team and helps to create the wonderful dynamic that we possess. I enjoy riding with all of you and listening to your songs, stories and jokes helps me pass the time.The I4K would be nothing without its supporters (sorry if I forgot anyone!) OK, it is 10:30 and time for bed (what have I become?!). Goodnight!P.S. Shout out to Laura--you are almost home! Can't wait to be able to call/text you again!
The rolling hills of Wisconsin
Today we rode from Fitchburg, WI to Reedsburg, WI, but before we get to today, we should take the time to discuss a neat experience that we had yesterday. At the dinner we did an awesome portrait. A woman, currently battling breast cancer, and her husband spoke to a few of us about her experiences. Her interview was one of the most honest and informational interviews we have had. Despite having had a tough few months she spoke to us about her experiences for an hour. Seeing the relationship that she and her husband had was a true inspiration. They were each other's shoulders and there was so much closeness and strength between them. It was an honor to be involved with this portrait and we wish the two of them the absolute best.Now we'll let you all know a bit about today. Thank goodness for Wisconsin. Wisconsin has taught all of us that hills can really be lovely. What a great ride we had today. It was filled with off-the-beaten-path adventures. Wisconsin has been so kind to us. We have had such glorious weather and we have been rolling through some really scenic routes. Though Pennsylvania was beautiful, it was extremely tough to ride through. Wisconsin was filled with hills but hills that were much easier. After climbing each hill we landed in an amazing place that was so lusciously green and lovely. Though many of us got lost today, I think most of us took it well and didn't mind an extra few miles in such a wonderful place.Today was a very relaxed day. We each took our time on getting to the stayover taking plenty of pictures and hanging out at rest stops. We found some neat stuff like a bunch of tires lying randomly piled on the side of the road. It was a fun and easy going day. It is awesome to have days like these now and to remember that this is the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks for keeping track of us and don't forget to check back tomorrow.
Driving the Van Tomorrow
First, thank you madison illini alum for joining us at lauren's family's home. In fact, as tribute to lauren's very sweet mom, i will blog today.Today was an easy day. My group--consisting of gabrielle, dyvia, rachel and connor--took the 60-something miles into wisconsin at a pleasant pace. Ivy and I sang christmas, chinese, beatles, and spanish songs. Out of these random sound bites I felt we could pull off a pretty good duet. She, of course, would sing the high notes and I the low.But the thought of organizing a proper song would have to wait at least 30 more miles. Singing quickly turned into stomach rumbling; but, it did not last. We stoped at a convenience store and bought some, according to Maggie, "fresh" Wisconsin cheese--it came in a sealed bag. Of course the quotes above were meant to show sarcasm but I, on the other hand, found it tasty and filing. Maggie kindly let me have a second, and third, hand full.So far, Wisconsin has been amazing. The people. The sights. The food. I guess that's why I volunteered to drive the van. I'm a little scared, but, if others can do it, so can I. Wish me luck! It seems a bit stressful but, maybe, it can also be enjoyable.
All the Small Things
This trip has really made me appreciate the little things in life. Such as a pillow. I found it so strange but comforting to sleep on a normal size pillow when I went home for 2 nights! At home I was able to hang out with my family and friends and relax. I also hit up the mall with Nicki and realized how I am not up to date on the latest fashions. But the great thing is I wake up and never have to decide more than which bike shorts I will wear that day. And I have gotten used to no make-up or doing my hair. Leaving my hair to dry naturally has been one of the most beautiful things ever. Sean Laude told me I'm the one with the "crazy hair". I'll take it.Saturday we had the ride along where we invited family and friends to ride 15 miles with us on the Lakefront trail downtown. We ended at Caldwell Woods where we had a bbq. My mom and I took the train and met up with the team at the Cancer Survivor Garden in Grant Park. I loved having my mom there! She was able to meet Linsey's parents and a few other parents as well as many of my teammates. The weather was not great, but it got better as we continued riding. My dad met up with us later on. I seriously owe my parents my life!When we rode up to where everyone was gathered I saw a boy pointing at me. I didn't recognize him at first with longer hair and a beard, but it was the one and only Daniel Mosiman (Mosi!!!). I couldn't believe it. He had just gotten back from Jordan the day before and saw the event on the home page and decided to surprise me! I was so touched. Thanks for coming Mosi! and Mosi's brother Cory!The ride along and picnic was a great way to show our family and friends what we do and why we do it, and also to thank them for being our life support.After the picnic we rode to Highland Park to Josh's house for another dinner. It was a great, relaxed atmosphere with good people and his dad let us use his hot tub! That night Linsey and I went on a run. Running and biking are definitely different! After a few days off I definitely was feeling my muscles working when I ran. It was a great way to let off extra energy (I'm surprised that I can say I have extra energy!) and reflect. I've learned that you can't live life worrying, but you have to live appreciating every good thing that comes your way. Nothing can prepare you for an unexpected punch, but knowing that you have enjoyed every bit of life possible is reassuring.The next morning Gabby's mosher was for everyone to share who they were riding for or why they ride. It was moving to hear everyone's personal stories and experiences with people who have been affected by cancer. I never knew that Connor Yanz's childhood friend died from cancer. Being united by a cause that is so close to everyone's heart really brings us together as a team. That day we rode with everyone's family and friends on our minds, each story motivating the next turn of the wheel. Arriving in Lake Geneva at Brad Topol's parents' house, we all enjoyed some snacks before some of us headed to the lake. The weather was pretty chilly (about 62) but Linsey and I were determined to jump in the water- so we did. We got some good pictures of us before, during, and after the jump. A jolt of life shot through my body as the icy cold water hit my skin. It's funny how the senses can make a person feel truly alive. I'm thankful for the ability to seek out the little thrills that life has to offer.Today was a beautiful ride to Fitchburg, WI. Wisconsin is gorgeous so far. I had a ton of fun riding with Maggie, Christine, Taylor, Dory, Yang, and Linsey. We took our time and took long breaks. The weather was perfect and the ride was not strenuous, but rather peaceful and enjoyable.Lauren's aunt hosted us at her house for dinner and showers, which was much more than we could have asked for. After dinner I sat in on a portrait with a relative of Lauren's named Toni who recently battled breast cancer. The thing about her story that struck me the most was the fact that she may not be able to have kids because the chemo has damaged her ovaries. There is still hope that her ovaries will "wake up" some day, but it is not guaranteed. My stomach turned over when I heard this. Her husband and her were just getting ready to start having kids when she found a lump in her breast. It just goes to show that anything can happen. I was also struck by the pain that she described after having treatments. She was nauseous, but then after taking the anti-nauseous pills she would have huge head aches. She lost all her hair and had a double mastectomy. But, she still smiles. And she still holds her head up high. I asked her where she got her inner strength from and she said God, her family, and her husband who she has been with for over 20 years (high school sweethearts).Cancer is everywhere, but even with the prevalence I was not aware of the real impact it has on a person's life. Toni's story has changed people's lives. Now her co-workers check themselves regularly and people appreciate life more. I must sound like a broken record.I'll never understand why cancer exists. But I do understand a little better how it affects people. And I hope that this ride brings awareness to others too. And that the money raised contributes to a breakthrough, which I believe it will. If I didn't, I don't think I would wake up and ride my bike every day.
America's Dairyland
Waking up in Lake Geneva we were greeted by the smell of cinnamon rasin french toast cooking in the Topol's kitchen. After saying our goodbyes we started the day off with a mandatory trip down to take a look at the lake, thanks to Yang. The second part of Yang's Mosher shouldn't have come as such a surprise, he had us climb back up the hill we had ventured down to get to the lake in the first place!The team enjoyed the mild weather and scenery of Wisconsin as we rode 68 miles into Fitchburg, right outside of Madison. True to Wisconsin style there were many cow spottings, and one team even dedicated their ride to finding cheese curds for a snack. All teams arrived safely at the Christ Memorial Lutheran Church where we were greeted by the Madison Alumni club who graciously provided us snacks.After unwinding, the team accompanied by the U of I Madison Alumni Club made their way over to the Winter's for an amazing dinner. Treated to portabella and italian beef sandwiches, quinoa and pasta salads, the team left very satisfied. The Illini 4000 would like to extend a big thank you to Gale's family- Nadine, Gina, and Lauren's Grandma for putting together an amazing evening for us, and even doing our laundry! We would also like to thank the Madison University of Illinois Alumni Association.
Rockville to Chicago
It's been awhile since I've been able to blog. A lot has happened since Greenwood at the Bartholomew's house. That morning I rode with Linsey, Lee, Jan, Connor, and Manny and we pushed it hard. We rode through a refreshing rain and faced some little hills in the woods. We arrived first at the stayover and Manny, Lee, and I roamed around the nearly empty town. That night we had a team meeting and exchanged our white elephant gifts. We also ate dinner with some of the people from the church. Linsey and I found 2 couches to sleep on!The next day we were all anticipating the ride to our stomping grounds, Champaign. I rode with Jan, Linsey, and Sean and we booked it there. Upon arriving we jumped in Homer Lake to cool off and kick back before the rest of the team showed up. Then we all rode together to the Alma Mater. I got interviewed by ABC Central News! I found it pretty funny that I was wearing my pink Bulls hat on a tv interview. The adrenaline was pumping as we realized we had made it all the way back to U of I, where this whole journey began, from New York. Later for dinner Ellie's mom provided us a HUGE meal of Papa Del's pizza, fruit and gatorade. I swear we are treated like kings and queens. That night a bunch of us met up at Josh's apartment and we were all overcome with tiredness.The next day I rode with Connor, Linsey, and Katie. We had an easy ride to Clifton where the church had booked the pool for a youth pool party! We all had a blast jumping off the diving board and enjoying each other's company. Linsey, Cristian, and I had a nice walk back to the church after swimming.A highlight of the past week was the ride to Homewood. Along the way we stopped at Manteno Lake, where Linsey's mom had pulled some strings to let the whole team in. We stayed and swam for about an hour and a half. The best part was seeing everyone's silly tan lines. I looked like I was wearing white shorts! 7 miles later we stopped at Linsey's house for the best bbq I'd ever been to! The food was all homemade. While the food was excellent and Mrs. Rock bought my favorite chips (thanks!! :) ), talking with Linsey's friend Lisa was very inspiring. Lisa was diagnosed with brain cancer during her freshman year of college and was forced to come home to get surgery and treatment. Right now she is re-teaching her left side how to function normally. You would think after going through that a person would be depressed, but Lisa is a very positive, funny, and motivated person. It makes any problems I have had seem so small. Our whole team has been thinking of Lisa since we met her.The next day will easily be one of the most memorable days of the trip this summer. It was the ride to Chicago. After an early wake up at 5:45 am, we sat down for some french toast provided by the church ladies while a storm was raging outside. We went outside for Manny's mosher, which was to get us all pumped up for the ride home to see our families at the bean. We danced to one of Manny's favorite songs "Push it" by Salt and Pepa and then chanted "everywhere we go..etc". I started off riding with the Poo Crew, Sean, Linsey, and Connor Yanz and about 10 minutes into the ride the storm was back in full force. And what do you know I get my first flat tire. Thankfully Connor and Sean have become experts in the flat tire field and helped me out in the pouring rain. Then we came upon some flooded streets where the water came up to our knees. It was quite the experience. Some floods we were able to ride through and some we had to literally pick up our bikes and carry them over our heads. Soon we met up with the other groups and carried on as an entire team. Travelling with 28 people through the city was one of the most exhilarating experiences ever. After about 10 miles we reached Connor Yanz's house where his family provided a great rest stop with snacks and warm towels. Again, I can't thank everyone enough for their generosity and genuine kindness towards us.Then we rode another 15 miles to the Bean at Millenium Park and I literally was smiling from ear to ear when I saw my dad standing there with a camera in hand. I hopped off my bike and gave him a huge hug. Then I glanced right and saw my best friends Nicki, Olivia, and Clinton! Thanks for coming guys. It means the world to me to have your support. I have never felt so blessed in my entire life! I will cherish this experience forever. My dad took a bunch of pictures, some of which he sent to the Daily Herald! They printed an article in the main section of the paper that has a huge distribution area! I am grateful for the publicity for the organization and the mission to fight cancer. Literally our organization thrives off of the support and generosity of others. So thank you everyone for your donations, prayers, comments, and support. You have made my experience so eye opening and amazing.There is more to come but Linsey needs to use her computer so I will update in a bit!
I4K to Wisconsin!!
Today the I4K Team rode from Deerfield, IL to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Our ride was a very beautiful one. The sun was shinning and there was a cool breeze the whole way. Before we started off on our ride we got to remember and share why we were all individually doing the ride for the summer. We got to share our feelings and emotions and truly express why it is that we are riding across the country for this cause. This moment truly reminded us why we ride and made today an even more special day to ride.The ride covered many miles on trail roads yet we still had a spill. Former riders Sean and Alex had a small crash, but everything was fine. We took a long, relaxing lunch break getting back to our PB&J diet. We finally arrived to Lake Geneva, welcomed by the Topols and the Volkmans. They provided us with plenty of snacks, an amazing dinner, showers, and a comfortable living room to enjoy Game 6 of the NBA Finals. We truly thank the Topol Family for all of their support and generosity. Tomorrow we continue to make our way across Wisconsin.
Ride Along and Picnic
After a much needed rest day in Chicago visiting with family and friends the team reunited to continue on our journey today. We started the morning off with a Mosher dedicated to discussing the strangeness of life outside of I4K including riders feeling as if they were going way too fast while driving under the speed limit in a car, feeling lonely at bedtime, and even craving PB&J for lunch!Our day got off to a slow start as the team got stuck by a bridge that was out, typical of city biking! We were greeted in the Cancer Survivor's Garden in Millennium Park by eager family, friends, and supporters who were geared up with bikes and helmets ready to ride. After a moment of silence in the garden we were off teaching our guests about bicycle safety and call outs on the route. The 15 mile ride concluded with a successful picnic in Caldwell Woods. The picnic was a success largely in part to all the hard work of our families pitching in to provide food and help grill.With so many riders on the trail, it is no surprise that someone came away with a battle wound. Only a few miles into the ride along, Dory's bike got away from her. Next thing she knew she found her unlucky chin catching her fall where the bike path had a steep drop off to the shoulder. Dory, unphased by her fall arrived at the team picnic no more than a few minutes late, with ten stitches in her chin. She got right back on her bike to finish the remainder of the ride.After saying our goodbyes the team traveled another fifteen miles north to find ourselves at rider Josh's house where we were treated to a delicious dinner from Josh's Aunt, a caterer. Needless to say, we were very spoiled. We left Josh's and made our way to Christ United Methodist Church for some much needed rest after such an eventful day.
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Windy City
So I've always heard that Chicago has gotten its famous nickname from its politicians' general lack of morality, but after riding in to the City of Broad Shoulders two days ago, I could be almost certain that meteorology played at least some sort of role. I came to this conclusion because some of the weather I have seen in the past few days was absolutely unbelievable. It was really one of those you had to be there moments.Let's backtrack though. The last time I posted I was getting all pumped to get over my nasty fall (see post "My First Fall") and even more so to get into Champaign and see all of my friends. Well I can tell you that both were successful and after seeing my friends on campus, I felt more drive than ever to get home and see my family in the northwest suburb of Mundelein, IL. The first day out of Champaign felt like we were in a sauna the entire way to Clifton. But once we arrived, we were again treated like kings, sitting us down and feeding us a delicious meal. But the best part was that the church we stayed at was hosting a pool party that night and invited us to come! It was great to be in a pool after a long and hot day of biking and the icing on the cake was the diving boards where everyone took a load off.The next day we rode to Homewood which is just south of the city. Linsey Rock is from nearby Peotone (if you're like me, you may know of this town because of the potential third airport) and her family planned for us to go to a lake--it had a diving platform offshore which was saweeeeet!--and then a barbecue at her house. This was not only a chance to have lunch, but also doubled as a safe haven from the blazing hot sun. We accepted the hospitality for as long as we could before departing and definitely waited out the hottest part of the day.One of the highlights of the Homewood trip and really this whole summer was a Portrait I was able to sit in on. Lisa, one of Linsey's high school friends, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January of this year. She had lost all control of the left side of her body and her hair as a result. What shocked me so much was her undying strength and positive attitude towards her situation. She said something along the lines of "this is the only life I got, and I can't spend time wishing things were different." Her words brought tears to many of the team including myself. It was one of the first times that I really knew what we had been riding for all these days. It really showed that though many are affected by this awful disease, the human will can always come on top. Lisa you are an inspiration to us all. This is why we ride.The ride into Chicago was unbelievable. We woke up earlier than normal in efforts to arrive on time at the Bean in Millennium Park. However, Mother Nature chose differently. We awoke to the cracking of thunder and flashes of lightening so we had to wait it out. In a little bit, all but the rain had gone away and we rode out. But this kind of rain was some we hadn't seen all trip. I am talking about an absolute torrential downpour. After a flat tire took place within the first mile of departure, I was already soaking wet to the bone. What was interesting is that the streets in southern Chicago were all flooded, so naturally, being wet already, we rode through them. Some of the streets were over THREE FEET of water!!! Needless to say, it made for the wettest and perhaps most fun ride to date.We rolled into Chicago and after riding to UIC to pick up my belongings I was on my way home. I was so excited to be with my family and my friends who came home for the summer. We had a little get together at my house that night including a late night bbq. I slept in the next day but only till 9:30 am. I guess that's what happens when you wake up at 5:50 am for two and a half weeks before!The next day was the ride-a-long and my sister Cathy, her husband Jonathan, and their daughter Cecelia rode with me on the 16 mile journey. Cecelia, being only two years old, rode on a carrier on Cathy's bike. Again it was a rather blustery day in Chicago with temperatures below 60 degrees for the beginning of the ride. We persevered and rode into the picnic and I was greeted by many of my siblings along with my parents. It was great to see them supporting me and my mission. We feasted out and since I live so close to our stayover in Deerfield, I went home for the third straight day.It feels so good to be home, so much so that it may be hard to leave. Though thinking back on all of our trip thus far, it will be so exciting to see what's to come. After Wisconsin, each state we enter, it will be my first visit! This country has already impressed me so much and I cannot wait to be amazed very soon.Thanks for reading and sorry for such a delay between posts!P.S. I got a mohawk today. I'm pumped!
I4K visits the Apple Store in Chicago
This post's coming in from the Apple store in Chicago. We finally made it to Chicago :) Wind, lightning, rain, floods, mountains, and tornados can't stop the I4K ! Dinner at Giordanos later, yummmmm :)
Feeling like a cyclist
While riding through a torrential downpour just before forging through knee deep water, bicycle in tow I turned to Gabrielle and announced, “I finally feel like a cyclist.” Maybe it was the combination of rolling into Chicago soaked to the bone, despite my waterproof jacket. It may have been the feeling of riding as a pack of rogue bikers unphased by the elements. Or it could have been the fact that my odometer is nearing 2000 miles. Or was it knowing that the trip is already one quarter of the way through, and that we have made it further than I ever thought was possible. Whatever it was, I am very proud to report that biking through the East Coast, over the Appalachians, and into the Midwest has turned me into a rider in a team that I am very proud to be a part of, and upon arriving in Chicago I have never felt stronger.My only regret so far is not doing enough to capture each and every moment of this experience. So far I have been able to pick up a postcard in each state we have rolled through, with the exception of West Virginia, which was by choice. I have also taken around 300 photos and blogged a few times, but despite my efforts I feel like I must do more; more blogging, more photos, and more journaling. It’s so difficult at the end of the day to try and muster up the energy to write everything down. At the beginning of the trip I thought I would be able to remember everything, but it is getting much more difficult to recall it all.A few highlights since I last blogged include participating in team “Red Light Coca-cola Challenge,” where upon rolling up to a red-light, you take a warm shaken up coke out of your jersey pocket, chug it, and smash the can on your helmet all before the light turns green again. I visited the Covered Bridge Museum and Jurassic fossil display in quaint Rockville Indiana, got lost and took a scenic yet exhausting 10 mile detour along the Illinois/Indiana state line, got chased by a dog for 4 miles, visited with friends in Champaign, swam in the Clifton community pool, and sat in on an inspirational portrait of a young girl bravely battling Brain Cancer. I am so excited to take on the West and will be sure to share my experiences along the way!
The Rest of Pennsylvania
We have a rest day in Chicago today so I will try to fill you in on the last two weeks. I also might try to predict the next two weeks so I dont fall behind again.I left off discussing a difficult day in Everett, PA. I wrote that it was the hardest day yet, but thats because I was naive of what was about to come. The next morning we rode from Everett to Mt.Pleasant. This was a grueling 80 mile day through some of the highest points southern Pennsylvania has to offer. My teammates and I will forever remember the name White Horse. White Horse was our first ascent that day. We peddled firmly up the steep roads exhausting our supplies of water faster then camels in the Sahara. When we made a turn we had hoped it was the summit, but the roads continued further upward. At every turn our hearts sank as there was no foreseeable ending to the pain our thighs were enduring. My eyes were firmly affixed to the road below me, only looking up to see if I was running off the road. During times of long intense climbs I feel it is better to not see how much further you have to go. There is no point in thinking about it, the length will not get shorter, it is more beneficial instead to devote all your thoughts to your peddle stroke.Then all of a sudden it was finally there. I saw people standing at the top, enjoying what was sure to be a rest stop at the summit. We had made it. It was beautiful to see how my comrades had pushed themselves to limits they thought were unattainable. The best part was that at this particular rest stop we had cake to eat. This is probably why I have been steadily gaining weight!The rest of the day was all downhill.....that is until the next uphill. Jokes aside, it was still a lot of climbing, but we knew that if we climbed white horse we could climb anything. When we arrived to Mt.Pleasant I immediately noticed an increased polish cultural presence. When I asked the pastor he said there was a large polish population there because of all the immigrants that had come to work in the factories years ago.After Mt.Pleasant we rode into Pittsburgh. On this day I had my first, and what I hope is only, spill. I was not looking at the road because I was checking directions. It was only a second, but thats all it took. I had scraped my elbow, and bruised my hip. Not enough to stop me from finishing my day. I bandaged up my elbow and continued onward. We ended up getting lost in the city, but we eventually made it to the church. The next day was an event day so we didnt ride, which was a good thing because I dont know if I could have. My hip was bothering me pretty bad.On our event day we had a picnic thanks to a former rider who organized it. The alumni club of Pittsburgh was out there to support us. All in all it was a good time with good people.The ride from Pittsburgh to Cadiz, OH was by far the longest day we have had. My group was the first to come in and we came in around 8pm. The rest of the groups came in at dusk with their lights flashing. Thankfully everyone made it in safely. The actual ride that day was a roller coaster. The day started with us leaving Pittsburgh on some of the steepest streets I have ever seen . The Beechville area of Pittsburgh is home to Canton Ave , the steepest street IN THE WORLD ( I looked it up). Thankfully we did not have to go on that one, but a part of me really wishes I had taken a detour to say I climbed it.The route had us staying on a very gravely mountain bike path for 20 miles, which was less then pleasant. After that we were in West Virginia for a good 20 miles. It was not difficult to see the wide spread poverty in WV. It is only second to Mississippi with a per capita income of a little over $16,000 a year. Doing this ride has allowed me to see and appreciate the varying demographics of the United States.We ended the day strong with plenty of hills waiting for us at the other side of the Ohio River. It was hard but we all pushed it to make it before sun down. I am really proud of everyone that day for working so hard.Thats all for Pennsylvania, it was tough, but it was very rewarding. I think it will be one of the most memorable states when this trip is over.
Chicago Arrival Information and Ride Along
Interested in seeing the team as they make their way through Chicago? Come see the Illini 4000 as the arrive into Chicago on June 9th. The team will be making their way up the lakeshore arriving at Millennium Park around 12:30pm. Be at the Cloud Gate ("The Bean") to see their arrival.On Saturday June 11th, the Illini 4000 will be hosting its annual Ride Along event. This is your chance to ride with the team on a segment of their route across the country. The event begins at 9:30am from the Cancer Survivors Garden in Millennium Park, and is an gentle 15 mile ride up Chicago's Lakefront and through the North Side, eventually ending up at Caldwell Woods Forest Preserve. There will be a picnic at Caldwell Woods after the ride. If you plan on attending, please pre-register for the event by clicking here.