What a week. Last weekend we went on a 75 mile ride through Fischer, Rantoul, and FLATVILLE just to name a few. 75 miles was surprisingly manageable, all this training is really paying off. Even though we increase the volume of miles biked each week, each week gets easier. It is so peaceful to be out on the open road with nothing on your mind except admiring the scenery and wildlife around you. Coming home after the ride, to reality, is pretty crummy. Hello stress/exams/labs/etc. Anyways, these longer rides are starting to show us what our summer is going to be like. At times we are going to face 30 mph winds, at times we are going to face rediculous weather, at times we are going to push ourselves further than any of us thought possible, but each test we have had in our training we have conquered. 60 miles through 40 degree weather with rain, we can handle it. Inreasing our workload by miles each week, no problem. Raising $100,000, bring it on. We are a team, and we succeed as one.The week was already going well, and then we hit the $100,000 mark. We have raised over $108,000 and that number is still climbing!!! And it only gets better. Our fundraising totals are climbing rapidly, we have a benefit concert this friday night, and we have our 90 mile ride and camping trip at kickapoo this weekend. And it only gets better. School is so close to being over. Some of us will graduate, and all of us will be in for the best summers of our lives.
So much excitement!
I am very excited to get back on the road again this summer. So excited that at times (basically all of the time), I can't sleep. But I think this is normal for all I4Kers. Since my last post, a lot of amazing things have happened, let my list begin!24 Hours of Cycling - For 24 consecutive hours, the I4K was on the quad asking for donations, sharing our cancer memorial board, and most importantly, riding for those who have been affected by cancer. I took 2 short naps, but otherwise was awake and with the team the whole time. I feel so fortunate and grateful to be surrounded by wonderful human beings. It's also quite wonderful to be out on U of I's quad around the hours of 3-6 AM, we have such a beautiful campus.Relay for Life - Wow! Relay for Life is an exceptionally beautiful event. Two 2010 riders, Megan Larson and Disha Patel, played very integral roles in planning Relay for Life, so much applause to those 2 wonderful women. One of the things I like most about Relay is how this event is all about celebrating life and fostering hope. There is also a strong sense of unity at Relay, which provides even more support to those who are a part of the fight against cancer.Training Rides - These are always fun, but I can never sleep the night before them because like I said earlier, I am too excited. I am so proud of everyone because the weather has not been on our side for many of the rides. The most recent ride in particular reminded me how much I really do love to hang out as gas stations, but how gas station food really breaks my bank.Brooks Saddle - A 2010 rider, Jaime Kelleher, recently gifted me with one of my now most prized possessions--a Brooks saddle. I love my Brooks so much. I frequently glance at my bike to admire my new saddle and sometimes it even makes me smile. That was a very nice thing of Jaime to give (Brooks are not cheap). So from the bottom of my heart, thank you girl!$101,150 - As of today, the 2011 I4K team has raised $101,150! This means that we have raised over $100,000 two years in a row! At our most recent Board of Directors meeting, we celebrated this monumental achievement with food and sparkling grape juice. It feels very good to be a part of something that is making a difference in the world.Thank you to every single person and company that has donated to me and to this organization. Words can not describe how grateful I am for each donation we receive. With out you, this non-profit would not exist.The following is advice from Abby Bott, a 24-year-old UIUC graduate from Alton, Illinois. In November 2009 and during her senior year at UIUC, Abby was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer (which is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States).
"I didn’t know my family history...but it turns out that I had a huge family history with this. My mom’s three brothers all had colon cancer when they were [in their] late 20s, early 30s and her father also had colon cancer [in his] early 30s. But I didn’t know about it, and that’s another message that I personally want to get across. Go find out your family history and medical history."
Here's a video from the American Cancer Society about getting tested for colon cancer: http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/ToolsandCalculators/Videos/get-tested-for-colon-cancer-english
On our most recent training ride, my group stopped for water and some minor bike adjustments. When we looked at the ground, we found evidence that a wild Piyum was loose in the cornfields and stopped for a Fruit Loops break at the same place as us! Those Pi's can't be tamed.
The summer is coming...fast.
This summer is coming up so fast! Yet, not fast enough :). It's almost unreal the journey that is about to take place. But I am so lucky to share this experience with amazing people.Our hard work is definitely showing. We are so close to $100,000, I can taste it. We have all been diligently training, and though I'm not a pro, I can feel my endurance improving. I've probably never worked as hard in life as I have during my involvement with Illini 4000. I.love.I4K.Today myself, Eric, Ron, and Maggie (great company, right?!) took a short 45 mile ride today. Our original intentions were to go for 72, but the weather had a different plan for us. Probably within 15 minutes of our ride, it started to pour. These raindrops hurt and bursted into freezing water when it made contact with our bodies. We faced reality and decided that 72 miles was just not a good idea. BUT! We managed to get 45 miles in looping about the outskirts of campus. Definitely not a wasted day. I probably could have gone longer if my feet were not frozen blocks of ice. We literally stopped at one point, took out shoes off, and wrung the water out of our socks. It was temporary fix, until it started raining again.One of the highlights was stopping at a gas station. The handblower felt so good. I was tempted to somehow stick my feet under it.Though we didn't complete the 72 miles, I'm still proud of us for lasting as long as we did. The company of my team really helped me keep going. Maggie's laugh can warm any soul up, haha. I'm hoping it will not be this cold this summer. I'm always keeping my fingers crossed for good weather.With each meeting, training ride, and I4k event, I get so excited for this upcoming summer. I see the photos of previous rides and think about this summer: my face burns with excitement, my heart beats a little faster, and my stomach jumps. The idea is still wavering in the air...29 more days? Really? For real, real? It's like, why am I sitting down on the computer typing, I should be on my bike right now getting ready.Wow, just, wow.
The best 2 mile ride, EVER!!!!!!!
So today was going to be a great ride. Got on my bike, met up with Maggie; we were going to do a 20-25 mile ride. It was going fine, even bumped into Pi along the way. I noticed my tires were low on air so I stopped to pump my tires about a mile and a half or two miles out. Pumped the back tire no problems. Attempted the front tire, wasn't working. Spent about 20 minutes until I realized I probably had a slow leak. Put in some new tube, filled up the air and it actually worked this time. As I was pulling off my pump from the gasket, the gasket broke. Along with it, went all the air I pumped and a chance to actually ride somewhere. Thus, I was stuck on the side of the road :(On the upside, it was the best 2 mile ride ever!!!!!!!!!!! I wasn't tired at all, after all, if I can do 2 miles what's 75? ;) Nevertheless, the fact that my pump adapter broke, allowed me to figure out how to change my pump so I can use it on a Presta gasket! I guess I no longer need that thing anyway! Probably should get some new tube though :/At least Maggie got to do a ride! I would have felt really bad if she wasted any more time with me. Anyway, since I have no tube and it's now dark, I'm gonna head to the gym instead! Talk to ya soon!
Busy Week for the I4K
With only 32 days until the fifth Illini 4000 Bike America Team leaves NYC, things are in full swing. The new team has proven dedicated to the organization and the cause, especially during this past week - a busy one for I4K.This past Thursday, the Illini 4000 put on its second annual 24 Hours of Cycling Vigil. Members of the Illini 4000, including new riders and alumni members, cycled on stationary trainers from noon on Thursday to noon on Friday in order to raise money and spread awareness about Illini 4000 and cancer. Despite a cold evening and rainy Friday morning, there was never a moment without a rider on a trainer. The event was a great success!This past Saturday, riders faced some brutal weather on their third official training ride: persistent cold and rain. During the first half of the 62-mile ride, many riders struggled to ride faster than 10mph because of strong headwinds; on the trip back, however, some were able to reach speeds around 30mph. This weather was a far cry from the sunny, second training ride. During the second training ride, every team member was required to remove his or her back tire and change the tube (simulating a flat tire). Such knowledge is invaluable on the road, and has proved useful, as many riders have been unfortunate enough to have already gotten a flat.Shortly after the training ride, I4K members headed over to the Armory to participate in Relay for Life, a 24-hour walk and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event is hosted by Colleges Against Cancer, a fellow Registered Student Organization at the University of Illinois.Stay tuned for more updates! Please make sure to take a look at our gallery, which has been updated with new photos from our Alumni Weekend and Relay for Life.
32 Days Left!!
Only 32 days are left before the ride and I am very excited. We have all really stepped it up, biking more and more taking advantage of the beautiful spring days. I am also having mixed feeling about the final weeks of my college career. Im definitely going to miss college. I have really come to learn more about the world and more importantly, myself these last 4 years. But I am very excited for what is to come. Im sure I will never forget this coming summer, as we take on the US on two wheels. I have really come to enjoy our team, a mix bunch of people that love to help people.My goal for the next month is to finish school strong, bike strong, and enjoy my last 30 days as a student at U of I.Team I4K 2011
The Joys of Victory
No one said what we are about to do is going to be easy. Nothing makes this clearer then the conditions we faced on the previous training ride. Through hard work and perseverance we were all able to overcome the ferociousness of mother nature.Our day started off with gloomy skies and wet roads. By the time our tires had hit the pavement the wind, rain, and cold had joined forces to make our ride dreadful. We continued onward towards Allerton Park in Monticello knowing that the obstacles we are about to face are minuscule compared to what others have to face on a daily basis.On the ride out to Allerton we faced a moderate headwind that impeded our average speed to single digits. With the help of Brad Topol, a senior rider, we were able to keep our spirits high. We kept telling ourselves that with every headwind, there is a tailwind.31 miles later we arrived at our destination. I glanced at the other riders and everyone had this look of excitement on their faces, like children on christmas eve. We all knew that there was no way that we were going to take a break. We turned around immediately, and apologized to the splendid wind for cursing it out minutes before.The wind pushed us home at speeds reaching 30 miles an hour. Of course with great power comes great responsibility, as Louis learned the hard way. The potholes along the way proved to be too much for his tires to handle at such great speeds, and he had to change a couple flats. Weather aside, twas a great day with great people.Do zobaczenia!Jan W.
My Dear J.S. MEHS, Thank You for Aiding the Fight Against Cancer
About two weeks ago, before students of J.S. Morton East High School, in Cicero, left for spring vacations, a collection table stood just to the side of the cashier's office. There, students paid and received little slips of paper with a small hole punched-out at the top. The small, pink square had a picture of a cyclist and read something along the lines of this: "Help Alum Cristian Garcia Ride for Cancer."To my dear high school, there are no words to describe my gratitude. Thank you so much for your generosity and know that people across this nation will benefit from your contributions. I know for a fact that this out-of-uniform fundraiser, for some, was merely an opportunity to finally be able to present yourself at school without those retched khaki pants and white polo and, quite frankly, I do not blame you. Nevertheless, for the vast majority of students and staff who I am certain donated with a deep meaningful cause or personal fight--know you are not alone. Know you are never alone.Whether it be your parents, relatives, friends, or, simply acquaintances who suffer, know we--the riders of the illini4000--also have our reasons for participating in this journey and, we, also want a cure. Your nearly $1,000 donation has brought us one step closer in the right direction and, for that, we should all feel proud for this universal plan for cancer's demise.I wish the 2011 J.S. MEHS Seniors a happy graduation and I ask my brother for an apology.Because of this trip, I will not be able to attend your graduation. But, know that you're my brother, know that I love you, and know that I will, at the very least, be in Illinois and celebrating your mile-stone from a distance. I'm proud of you and I know that our sister school--UIC--will treat you well as you explore your many talents.Thank you Student Body President Fernando Silva and the MSGA. Thank you Princi-PAL Zarate and kind staff members. And, thank you all for believing in us--because of you, we ride.Sincerely,Cristian Enrique Garcia
Oh The Power of Wind
On Saturday we completed a 62 mile training ride. This is not only my longest ride to date, but definitely the toughest, wettest, windiest, and wildest. We were facing the toughest winds I have ever seen and the entire ride to our destination it was right in our face. At that point we were only able to go at single digit mph's. I don't think my spirits have ever been lower on my bike (who I have officially named Darlene after my fraternity cook). I was cold and couldn't feel basically any of my extremities.When we came to Allerton Park and were able to turn around, I was ready as ever, but we were graced with that strong wind formerly in our face now riding with us. We were able to ride in speeds upwards of 30 mph during this time and made our return trip in less than half the time it took to get there. I thought to myself, this is what riding is all about; going on the open road with no worries in the world.I had a lot of thinking on this up and down trip. I know I will get down at times and wonder what did I get myself into, but then again there will be the times where I will never want it to end. Then I thought to myself, I am doing this for a reason, and no matter how hard the roads may become, it is nothing compared to what those we ride for face on a daily basis. I feel almost silly complaining about the cold or the rain or the wind when I have been so blessed in my life. This is a very motivating way to look at this trip and all it's work involved.I feel like our team is becoming closer and closer as the days progress towards the ride. I love meeting these new and interesting people and cannot wait to go on the ride of our lives.Well that's all for now. I will hopefully be back very soon!
the brutal elements of nature: wind and sun and whatever keeps giving my bike flats
I woke up at 7 for the team training ride and heard thunder and rain outside my window. Disappointed that the weather was terrible I grabbed my rain jacket and went to Allen to meet up with the team. We began the ride after learning how to change a flat. The ride started off cloudy and chilly, but about halfway through the sun came out and I began striping off the layers. Eric taught me how to tie my jacket over one shoulder and under the other so it wont drag on the tire (works very well). I got a flat just before we got the the “park” in Sadorus. Thats my second one this week. I need to invest in new tires very soon. At the park Dory sat on bird poop and cleaned it off with a dirty stick, i think were prepared to get dirty this summer. After I got back I took a shower and noticed extreme burn lines on my arms and legs. Heat is actually still radiating from them. I went to the store to get sunscreen to avoid this pain in the future. The tan lines this summer are going to be intense and very unattractive. I went to Dory and Marks fundraising event that night and had a good time. I would like to thank Pi for everything he has done to get us ready for the summer. He has put a lot of effort into making sure each of us are physically and mentally prepared. Only 40 more days until we begin this journey. Sunday Kelsey, Jan, his girlfriend, and I decided to take a ride to homer lake despite the weather channel warning that there are very strong winds. We decided to turn around about 5 miles short of the Lake. There were two short stretches that the wind was at our back and Kelsey and I hit our top speed of 27.4mph. Last night we had our monday night meeting. Pi flooded us with bike information such as how to make adjustments and maintenance. It was pretty overwhelming and a lot to take in at one time but I’m sure over time I will be a pro at it all. Today Kelsey, Sean and I went on our weekly ride and made it there without getting lost or having any falls. Improvement! We had a picnic at Homer Lake, well more like eating trail mix and apples in the grass. We had to deal with winds again today but not nearly as strong as the past rides. I’m excited for 24 hour cycle on the quad Thursday and Friday. I plan on being at the booth whenever I‘m not in class and pulling an all nighter! This Saturday we have yet another team training ride 62 miles this time. So many great memories with the team and so many more to come.
Training Rides, Tan Lines, and Thank You’s
Illini 4000 sure has been doing a great job keeping me busy in my last semester here at the lovely U of I. The past two Saturdays we have been out enjoying the spring weather and our bicycles while on team training rides. This past Saturday we rode 50 miles, out to Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, and back. The weekend before we braved the wind along with some alumni riders who joined us on our 36 mile ride eastbound to Homer Lake. 50 miles is the most that I have ever ridden on a bicycle, and it keeps baffling me that this summer on several occasions we will be doing twice that distance in just one “century” day. I am really enjoying our long rides and have found them very entertaining, despite the rather flat scenery of cornfields and the occasional bird or squirrel that cross your path here in Central Illinois. While it takes several hours to complete our lengthy training rides, they have been flying by.What never fails to amaze me is the positive energy that my fellow teammates bring with to each of our training rides, meetings, and events. Despite the physical challenges we are facing including nerves, sore bottoms, and backs, what seems to be most memorable about our rides thus far are the songs, stories, and laughs we have shared along the way. We have a great group of riders, and I’m excited to be spending the summer with such a diverse group.Unfortunately on the past two training rides one essential that has slipped my mind is applying sunscreen! My forgetfulness has resulted in a rather uncomfortable and strange patchy sunburn on my arms, right above my knees where my bike shorts begin, and on my cheeks. I have finally purchased some super strength sun block and aloe that I will undoubtedly be applying before each ride from now on.Another great event that I have not written about yet was the opening night of our Portraits Project Exhibition at the Independent Media Center in downtown Urbana. This was a very inspiring night that began with the showing of the documentary What People Do, about the inaugural I4K team. The producer of the documentary was there and shared his insight and thoughts on creating the documentary. One of the founders of the Illini 4000 also spoke at the event, and hearing him express his excitement about the ride really got me fired up for this summer. The main focus of the night was on the opening of the first ever Portraits Exhibition, in the form of an art gallery open to the public. I worked as a member of the Portraits committee throughout the year, transcribing stories from cancer survivors, several from the ride the previous year. I also helped capture a portrait with a group of 2011 riders on campus in which we interviewed, Steve, a 2010 rider, U of I student, and cancer survivor. His story was unbelievably inspirational to me and seeing it displayed so regally in our Portraits Gallery was a real sense of accomplishment. I would also like to thank Gabrielle Fairbrian, the director of the Portraits Project for the 2010-2011 school year, a 2010 rider, AND a 2011 repeat rider, for all of the hard work that she did in preparation for the Portraits Project Exhibition. The night would not have been a success without her. She is an inspiration to me, and I’m so excited to get the chance to ride my bike across the country with her this summer! The turnout for the opening night of the gallery was phenomenal and brought tears to my eyes as I begin to better understand the impact that the Portraits Project and the Illini 4000 for Cancer has on our community alone.It is with my sincerest gratitude that I would like to thank all of those in support of the Illini 4000. The donations that I have received from family, friends, and strangers all the way from New York, to Florida and everywhere in between mean so much to me. This trip wouldn’t be possible without you, and I would like to let everyone of my supporters know, that whenever I am going through a tough time, during training, or this summer, what is sure to get me through will undoubtedly be your support.
!!!WIND!!!
One thing I have recently grown a hatred for is wind. It is possible that the winds have remained constant throughout my time here in Champaign, but I have only recently noticed it because my frequency of riding has increased.Of course I am not one to complain about a tail wind ;) ....Saturday Connor, Eamon, Tracy, Lee, and I ran the Camp Kesem 5k at the arboretum. We swept the top spots with Eamon and Tracy winning first in their respective categories. Their reward? What else but a boat load of Red Bull. After the 5k Connor, Lee, and I did a 40 mile ride out to Lake of the Woods in Mahomet.The route took us through some beautiful landscape, well as pretty as corn fields can get. Along the way we found a real neat house that was built into a large earthen mound. It looked like a house from lord of the rings. We trespassed and inspected for hobbits, but my guess is they were having either luncheon or afternoon tea.The path through the lake of the woods (LOTW) reminded me a lot of the Skokie Lagoon trail back home, but LOTW is much shorter. It was a pleasant change in scenery that revitalized our quads.My favorite part of the ride Saturday was being there with Connor and Lee. These two great guys are a hoot to have around. The three of us chatted and joked so much that we forgot to take breaks along the route. We ended up comfortably finishing our ride in around 3 hours. Connor has done the ride twice, and is moving on to other things this summer, but I look forward to spending more time with the rest of the team this summer!à tout à l'heure !
"Bring Baby Wipes and You'll Be Fine"
Yesterday we rode 50 miles, which left us all feeling a bit loopy on breaks. I think we all got a little taste of what the dynamics of our group is going to be this summer. And all got to know each other just a little bit more. We named it "Awkward intimacy." Nuff said.Pi was my group's ride leader and I was glad. He definitely taught me a lot about leading rides. I learned not to slow down on overpasses because it makes it difficult for the people in the back to maintain balance, thus making their experience scarier as cars are whipping by less than a foot away. I think I was just hesitant and a little scared so I would slow down. I improved as time went on though (right, Pi?). I love leading. It is a challenge but it takes me out of my comfort zone which I know is essentially making me tougher. I told my team that I'm kind of a wuss and that I hope this ride makes me tough :) They got a good laugh out of that, I didn't realize I was being funny.Today I did about 24 miles with Linsey, Jan, and his girlfriend Erica. The winds were very strong. Linsey and I definitely felt like we were going to be knocked over a few times. Overall I enjoyed the ride though. I'm looking forward to this Tuesday's ride. Linsey and I want to cover a lot of ground in preparation for our 60 mile ride this Saturday. I'm also pumped for 24 hours of cycling on Thursday! MORE LOOPINESS TO COME! And hopefully a ton of awareness for our cause is spread :)I'm definitely in love with Illini4000.
Training for an adventure of a lifetime
So, it turns out I had never ridden more than 15 miles before I4K. Yesterday, I rode 50 and last week I rode 37 through the wind. Last Saturday was rough, no doubt. Mostly because I just was not prepared for it. I was discouraged and disappointed in myself. So I knew I had to train way more. This past week I went out for rides, went to the gym, and biked around campus since the weather was finally back to riding weather. It was great. I felt so much stronger. I wouldn't say I was ready for 50 miles, but I was definitely more prepared.Yesterday was awesome. I was able to keep up with my group members for the most part and I learned how to change a flat and how best to use my gears. I hung out with my teammates and just enjoyed the ride. It helped that I didn't fall and that my cleats didn't come lose like they did last week. I also realized that, sadly, Indian people are not able to avoid ridiculous tan lines, though mine were not as bad as other people :(Overall it was a great day. Due to Erik's ability to know directions like the back of his hand, we did not get lost and were the first group to arrive. I couldn't believe how fast the time flew. I wasn't bored at all. It was nice just to ride and enjoy the views around, the smells on the other hand....Anyway, I have some great teammates and a great group of alumni leading us through our training.After the ride, I rushed home for a fundraising event that I epically failed at reaching on time. It's amazing to see people's reactions to what you are doing. So many people I spoke to were confused or amazed at what I was doing. It was neat to talk to people after I had done a longer ride, I definitely felt more confident about the summer.There have already been ups and downs, but I know that riding this summer will make me stronger, both mentally and physically, than I have ever been. I am excited for the prospects of this adventure of a lifetime.
First tan lines of the warm weather!
On the first ride when we held the portraits event and showing of "What People Do", we all came to the event well dressed and baring interesting facial tans of the days ride. Today, after a much longer ride, I have noticed some intense short and jersey tan lines - a prelude of the awesome ride and experience to come. It gives me a hint of whats in my future without letting me in on the stuff that matters, like the people I'll meet or the stories I'll hear. What a tease!
Hold fast to dreams!
I’m going to start this (SUPER LONG) post with a few lines from my favorite poem, “Dreams” by Langston Hughes:Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.I can remember the exact moment in time when I first read this poem. I was a junior in high school and even though I was in a hurry to finish my homework, those four lines stuck with me. But until I joined the Illini 4000, I was never able to fully grasp what those four lines actually meant. This organization was created by just a dream, a dream to raise funds for cancer research and a dream to document the American cancer experience. Over a period of just five years, supporters of this dream have helped us donate extremely large amounts of money to ACS and Camp Kesem, and they have also allowed us to record their stories for the Portraits Project. So if we can do all of that in just five years, imagine what we can do in the next five years if we allow our dreams to grow. I’m really excited to find out.I feel so fortunate to be able to ride with the Illini 4000 again. Seriously, it’s hard to eloquently express what it means to be able to do this ride again. The members of this year’s team are so committed to our cause, have great enthusiasm, and continue to raise the bar for future teams to come. I am particularly excited about the strides we can take with the Portraits Project this summer.On April 2, we had our first official training ride and a Portraits Project gallery exhibit. This ride was really special because so many I4K alumni joined us! The first half of the ride was smooth sailing—we had a tailwind all the way to Homer Lake. On our way back, we hit some Illinois “hills” and had a pretty strong headwind. This was a pretty tough ride and I am so proud of the new riders for staying positive!As for the Portraits exhibit, it’s hard for me to put into words what this exhibit means to me, the founders, the alumni, the current team, and our supporters. That whole night was a very beautiful experience for me and I am so happy that we shared the Portraits Project with so many people, 124 people to be exact! With the help of Mary Russell and members of the Portraits committee, this event was a huge success. We were able to show the original 2007 Portraits, along with one Portrait from each ride year so far (2008-2010). We also provided a cancer information presentation, along with some pamphlets from ACS.Throughout the night, I couldn’t help but think about one of the Portraits I did last summer with a few other ladies on the 2010 team. We were riding through Greencastle, Indiana, and all of us had to go to the bathroom so we decided to give a floral shop called Ambler Hill a try. I asked the woman behind the counter if we could use her bathroom, and she asked, “What are you riding for?” Before I could answer, she said, “You’re riding for me. I’m a breast cancer survivor.” That left all of us speechless. Not only did this woman, Karen Ambler, let 7 dirty and sweaty cyclists use her bathroom, she also shared her cancer experience with us. We ate a wonderful lunch (that was kindly donated to us) and rode the next 15 miles or so in silence because we were so amazed and inspired by this woman. It took a bee sting to break our silence!Last semester, myself and 3 other riders had some free time at the beginning of the year so we went to visit Karen. It was so surreal. We were driving a car on roads we could remember so clearly, but roads we probably would have never seen in our lifetime if we hadn’t decided to bike across the country. We walked in and Karen was just as friendly as the first time we met her. We told her who we were (we were dressed up and not dirty or sweaty, so she didn’t recognize us) and then we all started crying. It was such a great thing, to reconnect with a stranger that changed our lives. So in my opinion, that’s one of the beautiful things about the Portraits Project, you meet people that are willing to share their stories with you and those stories change your life for the better. They encourage you to be brave in the fight against cancer and to continue to pay it forward.There are still a few things I need to do to prepare for the ride this summer. I need some new bike shorts (don’t want to get a hole in my shorts like KTL… that’s anonymous enough, right? CPFL!), a better frame pump, and most importantly, some new cycling shoes. My current shoes have caused some toe problems. Today the mysterious case of my toe problems was resolved (I had 2 hematomas) by removing 1.5 of my toenails. Yikes. Haha. Sorry for anyone I’ve grossed out. But don’t worry, it was instant relief and really wasn’t too painful. Life lesson: if your toes look kind of funny and that funnyness doesn’t go away, get it checked out. But seriously, this life lesson relates to all health problems, not just toe ones. So I am going to do a better job of listening to my body in the future and I hope all of you do too. It’s important!We have our second training ride tomorrow and I’m so excited. I picked up some snacks and I am sipping on some Gatorade right now. I need to pump my tires and I really need to buy a new chain. I also need to sleep.Goodnight amazing supporters of the Illini 4000.P.S. Since Karen is a breast cancer survivor, I’m going to share some information about breast cancer. According to the ACS’ Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2010, “breast cancer screening has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. In the US, death rates from breast cancer in women have been declining since 1990, due in part to early detection by mammography screening and improvements in treatment. Currently, 60% of breast cancers are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the five-year survival rate if 98%. Further reductions in breast cancer death rates are possible by improving regular use of mammography screening and providing timely access to high-quality follow-up treatment.”[http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/CancerPreventionEarlyDetectionFactsFigures/acs-cancer-prevention-early-detection-facts-figures-2010]So please listen to the ACS and to Karen: “You know, my daughter, I'm very concerned for her. Her doctor would not give her a mammogram until she was 40. I think this is something that needs to stop. People younger than you girls are coming down with breast cancer or some form of cancer. And they will find a cure to this, I'm sure they will. But until then, I cannot stress enough getting a mammogram.”
Preparation and Overcoming Fear
I finally have my bike on campus. It's an amazing feeling. Last week I went on the first training ride with the whole team. I was pretty nervous, but mostly excited. After all, I was the first person at Allen Hall, arriving at 8:25 am. We didn't leave until 10:15...haha. I loved riding. My thoughts flowed freely and my worries drifted away. Focusing on the person ahead of me and trying to remain aware of my surroundings (pothole!), I pushed ahead with my group. It was great when we got to ride two abreast and chit chat. On the way home I was leading against very strong headwinds. I saw this as preparation for the only harder conditions I will face this summer. Finishing the first training ride left me feeling accomplished and appreciative of past riders and terribly excited for the summer. 43 days are going to go by very quickly. Departing from New York is on my mind constantly. I can only imagine the adrenaline rush I will feel when I clip in for the first time of the summer.I am feeling so blessed to have this opportunity lately. I'd like to thank everyone for the support they have given me, family and friends alike. Thanks to my parents for coming out to the IMC event and of course for buying my bike and gear. (I'll pay you back when I'm making the big money later on! :P )There's no words to express how close this mission is to my heart. When I'm feeling tired out this summer, my Uncle Joe will come to mind and will keep me pressing onward. He has the greatest attitude in the world. He loves life and loves his family and loves his community and never fails to show it. I really hope to give back through doing this ride, for everything that I have been given in life. I feel like every day I find out that someone else I am connected to has cancer. My best friend's grandpa was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, they have caught it early and it is highly treatable. It's just sad. Cancer is like a plague. I don't think that I realized the true impact it has on a person and their family until recently. One day I hope that the Illini 4000 doesn't have to be about fighting cancer anymore. One day I hope that there's a cure, and we can move to fight a new battle.The Portraits Project exhibition was an amazing event. Good job to Mary and Gabrielle and everyone else who helped out with it. Watching the film was great too, I can't wait to meet such wonderful people. I also can't wait for all the life lessons I will learn this summer. And to continue to build the community that has already been built. And to become even closer friends with everyone on the 2011 team. We're already so close I feel. It's gonna be an amazing summer, I can tell.Training rides during the week have been eventful as well. Sean flew off his bike into a ditch, Gedion fell, Linsey Sean and I got lost and made up our own route (was that my fault?), Linsey got a flat (we were stuck trying to figure that out until miraculously Tracy showed up and helped us! then we called Jan to help us pump the new tube, thanks guys!!), and I think that's all the noteworthy things that happened haha.Well I'm off to sleep now since I have to be up in a little less than 7 hours. YAY, I'll really need to become a morning person. Good night and thanks for reading!
first falls, first flat
Last weekend we had a team training ride to homer lake. We played chicken on the roof at Homer Lake. It was a great ride besides the way back against strong headwinds. We were all starving and thirsty when we returned to campus so a group of us went to Joe’s for half of burgers. They were so delicious! Then it was time for the portraits project showing at IMC. My parents showed up for this. I really appreciate their support and everyone else’s it was a great turnout. Since then we have gone on a couple of rides. The highlight from the ride Tuesday morning was Sean tumbling into the ditch and being thrown from his bike. Oh and Kelsey’s cues that got us lost. Then there was thursday’s ride almost back from our country ride I got a flat. We started walking back and a miracle happened. We ran into Tracy, who did the ride in 2010, she showed us how to change a flat. Tomorrow we have our second team ride!
41 Miles, One Fall, Lost Keys, and a GIANT burger
Hellloooooooo! So this past Saturday we had our first all team ride. IT WAS AMAZING! We rode in small groups but joined forces at homer lake to play chicken on the coop. Chicken on the coop was fun as well – my competitive nature caused me to play dirty which lead to Linsey and I getting out hahahhaa. On the ride back we had 15 some miles of headwind. Hear it from me now: headwind SUCKS. It makes for a strenuous ride, chapped lips, and snot. Besides that I only fell once and it didn’t hurt! I started to get better at clipping in and there’s definitely improvement in my clipping out. At one point on the way back we made a stop and I lost my apt keys! Little did I know this until I got home (more on that later). Erik made an adjustment to my saddle and boiiiiiiiiiiiii did that help! My “lady part” no longer hurt!!! The only body part that became soar/over worked were my trapezes (the part of your body where your shoulders connect to your neck). This might be something to get used to or I might need to make another adjustment to my bike. The new buckle on my shoe worked out well and I had no problems there. I got a lot of practice at making call outs and I LOVE the command “rolling” for some reason hahaha.On the way back I was exhausted, the wind was tough, and I was HUNGRY. What kept me going? Ron and I described in detail the burgers we’d be having at joe’s after the ride – half priced burgers on Saturdays! Despite the fact that we like different things on our burgers hearing him talk about it with me drove me easily to the finish line. Ron also became my “bike-kickstand buddy”. We learned how to rest two bikes upright against each other. It’s kinda cool looking and semi-hard to do but we have a good system.When I got back from lunch I had one hour before our big portraits project so I sat down, took some deep breaths, and a friend of mine was in town so I saw her. Then it was off to our first EVER portraits showing.The portraits showing was truly awe inspiring. I felt so proud to be apart of I4K and helped to realign me with our cause. I was so tired during the event but I managed to keep my head up and feet moving. Turns out I got sun burnt on the ride! We took some real cute photos and it was nice to see everyone get so dressed up. I wanna say a big thank you to the Camp Kesem people who attended and my dear roomies who showed their support as well. It really meant a lot to me and to I4K that you were there. To all the family members that came – thank you for making the night that much more special.The next day my roomie Carly and I drove the Sat bike ride to try to find my keys. Long story short: we got TOTALLY lost but found the keys right as we were giving up cuz I was late to get back.All in all, the I4K weekend was amazing and has made me SO excited for this summer!Stay tuned,Ellieps. i came up with the best nick name for Gabrielle: MOMMA G and i wanna say how proud i am of her for Sat night. I know many people put in a lot of work, especially behind the scenes but i have some insight and i know how hard she worked. so shout out to MOMMA G!
I4K Alumni Weekend and Portraits Project Exhibition
This past weekend, the Illini 4000 hosted its second annual alumni weekend in Champaign-Urbana. As its alumni base grows, I4K continues to receive overwhelming support from past teams and leaders. Thank you to all alumni who attended. We truly missed everyone who couldn’t make it!The weekend kicked off the morning of Saturday, April 2, where the alumni joined the 2011 team for their first official training ride. The team arrived at Allen Hall at 9am for a safety review led by Team Development Director, Piyum Zonooz. By 10am, alumni from the 2007-2010 teams had shown up, greeted the new team, and taken a series of pictures.With the skies clear, the sun shining, and the wind at their backs, groups headed east in waves toward Homer Lake. After an easy 15 miles or so, the group took a break at Homer Lake and played “Chicken on the Roof,” a favorite game from the 2010 ride. The route back to Allen hall did not fare as well. The hills, added mileage, and brutal headwinds, however, provided excellent practice for the challenges the 2011 team will encounter this summer. The mileage clocked in around 37 and everyone made it back in one piece. After the ride, new and old riders alike indulged with some Mexican food.The true highlight of the weekend was the debut of the first Portraits Project Exhibition in the Champaign-Urbana area - also the largest and most formal viewing of any Portraits in Illini 4000 history. The event took place at 7:30pm at the Independent Media Center (IMC) in Urbana. In all, 124 people attended the event. The attendees consisted of four years of I4K alumni, the 2011 Bike America Team, friends, family, and community members.The event began with a welcome from current president, Conor Canaday. Canaday introduced Zachary Herrmann, director of “What People Do,” a documentary that was made during Illini 4000’s inaugural trek across the country in 2007. After a captive audience watched the film, Herrmann engaged in Q&A with the audience. The questions ranged in subject from the production process to Herrmann’s change in perspective years after making the film.Afterward, I4K co-founder, Jonathan Schlesinger, spoke about the early days of the Illini 4000 and the impetus for the Portraits Project. Schlesinger explained that he and others saw the ride as more than just a vehicle for raising funds; the ride was a way to connect with people all across the country who had been affected by cancer, in spite of the incredible diversity of American life and America’s landscape.Before formally unveiling the Portraits gallery to the public, Gabrielle Fairbairn, current Director of the Portraits Project and curator for this exhibition, gave a heartfelt thanks to all of those who made the event possible. Fairbairn then spoke about the vision for the gallery, which was set up in the adjoining sunroom at the IMC.In the center of the gallery hung the four original I4K Portraits that were created during the 2007 ride. These Portraits are historical, as they were the first physical manifestation of the stories and the people the Illini 4000 encountered during the inaugural ride. The 2007 Portraits were framed by one new Portrait from each additional ride year (2008-2010). Each Portrait on display consisted of a set of two pieces: a large portrait-style photograph, and accompanying words from the interviewee.In addition, the gallery featured four Portraits from current or former University of Illinois students. These Portraits are particularly relevant and meaningful because they were all taken and transcribed this school year by the entire 2011 team. The efforts of this year’s team, as well as special effort by the Portraits committee, had a direct impact on the creation of these Portraits. These particular Portraits also demonstrate that cancer is a disease that affects college students in our immediate community.The event was a true celebration for all current and past members of the Illini 4000 because all, in one way or another, have influenced this event and helped make it a reality. Happy Fifth Anniversary, I4K! Thank you.-The Illini 4000 Board of Directors*Special thanks to Ana Rynecki and Diana Luo for video-recording the entire weekend, and to Sean Laude, our official alumni weekend photographer. Thank you to Matt Harlan, for providing graphic design for our posters and promotional material.Please visit our gallery in the upcoming days, where you can view photos from this event.Featured PortraitsPat Voth, Hutchinson Kansas, 2007Pastor Ken, Pueblo, Colorado, 2007Brenda Emer, Kane, Pennsylvania, 2007Marcia Amaviska, Wickenburg, Arizona, 2007Jan and Merle Mulvaney, Washington, DC, 2008Richard McKinney, Hillsboro, Oregon, 2009Marissa Huddleston, Portland, Oregon, 2010Robert Pollett, Livingston, Illinois, 2011Abby Bott, Alton, Illinois, 2011Ruthvik Basavaraj, West Chicago, Illinois, 2011Steve Odon, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 2011 (2010 Bike America Team Member)