Right now I'm sitting on my plane out of San Fran trying to make time pass...(the flight has been delayed for 3 hours!) It's finally hitting me that the trip is actually over. After months of waking up and getting on your bike, it starts to become completely normal. I guess you start believing that biking is your new life and the friends you eat oatmeal with will always be there to keep you company. I never expected to miss it all so soon but I definitely do. These past few months will be hard to top. Even though we were technically doing the same thing all the time, every day was a new adventure. The landscape constantly changed and we barely slept in the same place twice. I met people each day and listened to a million stories. It's incredible to see how others define and experience life in 19 different states. Just watching and listening to people from across the US helped me figure out who I want to be.Carrying my aunts necklace in my saddle bag across the country made me feel ready to ride each morning. She's the one who got me through the toughest climbs and the windiest days and it was all worth it for her. Seeing my family in Missoula was one of the best parts of the trip. After weeks of traveling it was nice to experience relatives who are familiar, warm, and connected to her. My last night in Missoula it stormed for a short time before all of sky turned bright pink and I couldn't help but think the sky was changing for her. The sunset that night was one I don't think I'll ever forget. We learned this summer that cancer is everywhere we are and it feels really good to know that we gave people hope for the future on our journey. I wouldn't trade the sweat or exhaustion for anything. Other Notes:I learned a lot from strangers this summer, but I learned just as much from my teammates who I can now call my friends. I don't know how I would have done this without them. Not only because they are amazing but also because they are much better at paying attention to cues and directions than I am...It's incredible to see the country from two wheels and I think this trip has definitely given me a sense of patriotism and loyalty that I've never felt before. Also Megan and Cassie, if you're reading this you are the best older sisters anyone could ask for. Thanks for being there to greet me in San Fran!! #sistertrip
Don't Cry Because it's Over; Smile Because it Happened.
Greetings I4K supporters!Today, the team left Pastor Matt's house in San Rafael, CA to bike a short (but confusing!) 17 miles to the Golden Gate Bridge. After a delicious breakfast, we sat in our last morning circle of the trip, with everyone obviously experiencing bittersweet emotions about the trip ending. We decided to do a group ride dedication today, dedicating our ride to the friends and families of the riders who have been touched by cancer. After taking an incredibly high number of photos right before crossing the bridge, we rode as the whole team for the last time to cross the Golden Gate Bridge together. We were graciously welcomed into the Crissy Field by the San Francisco Alumni Club. Most of us had families and friends waiting for us at the park, meaning we were greeted by an uncountable number of hugs, both from our families and from the other members of the team. As our last time as a whole team, we enjoyed spewing out just about every inside joke we have (nailed it!), laughing hysterically while our families watched us in complete confusion. We chowed down on a wonderful Chicago-style meal provided by the alumni club, which was magnificent!We took our final team photo together in front of the Golden Gate, filling the air with screams and cheers. Mass hugging ensued, providing some of us with the final opportunity to hug for a very long time (congrats to our graduates, as well as those going back to their home countries!). All of those hugs were made with the promise that more would come as soon as possible. Soon, we started to disperse to head our separate ways, which included more hugs, some tears, and a whole lot of love.As the ride has gone by, it's become extremely evident to all of us as a team that this ride wouldn't be possible without all the support we receive along the way. From the very beginning, we've been blessed with all the support from our families, beginning with allowing us to partake in this crazy adventure and continuing all the way until today, providing help and love for the entire journey. Thanks to so many of our friends for everything they did for us, from fundraisers to spreading the word about the cause to the moral support. HUGE thanks to the churches, schools, and other stayovers who showed us so much hospitality, between providing us a place to sleep to sometimes providing food to all the prayers that we were blessed to have. The number of times that we said "Best stayover ever!" was extremely high, and we can't show enough appreciation for that. Thanks to the alumni and the board for preparing us to make it across the country, as well as providing us with assistance in every way they could.Special thanks goes out to the people we've met along the way: the ones who donated from car windows, in gas stations, and walking down the street. Thanks to those people who shared their stories of love, pain, and inspiration with us, trying to help us with document the American cancer experience. Thanks to the people who cheered us on from their homes and the other cyclists who helped us out along the way. Our team has a lot of people to be grateful for, and we appreciate everything that's been done for us to make this absolutely incredible summer possible. Mostly, thanks to everyone who believed in us. Love forever and always,The 2012 Illini 4000 Team
Rolling on the Shoulders of Giants
In 2002, a ten-year-old Kenny Shaevel stumbled upon the Academy Awards while channel surfing. Fascinated by the rewarding of talent, I watched with scintillation. When Halle Berry won the Oscar for Best Actress, she spoke with extreme emotion about how she stands on the shoulders of all the African-American actresses who came before her. For a child, this idea was novel: so much of what was great about the world I lived in, I realized, I owed to the progress of someone who came before me.As our trip comes to a close, my mind is forced to reflect on the past 74 days, and I find that I often wander back to this idea. The very bike I'm riding on, from the handlebar tape to the drive set, is the culmination of thousands of engineers' work; the paved roads on which we roll are made of materials whose composition has been refined over decades of driving; the 2012 Illini 4000 ride was based largely on the efforts of the five previous rides. I am proud of all that I've accomplished on this trip, but I have to give credit where credit is due. I am rolling on the shoulders of giants who came before me.And yet, this goes both ways. I am (well, we all are) a giant in the making, and this very thought makes me smile. Countless people's work went into making this summer's ride even happen, and countless more made it a success. The main purpose of this ride is to fundraise money for cancer research. We are fighting cancer, and this ride is a step in the battle; we are moving us all one step closer to finding a cure. We may be rolling on the shoulders of giants, but we are becoming giants ourselves.
Nearing the Gold(en Gate Bridge)
After a second 5am wake-up and a lovely Mosher of Jun and Lola singing A Whole New World in Japanese, we headed out from Healdsburg to San Rafael, CA. It would be our last destination before San Fran and so our last night we would be spending together as a team (at least on this 74 day adventure). Our whole team would probably say the best part of today was welcoming Janky (Patrick) back. He has been missed for sure! Also a monumental moment was eating at the legendary In-n-Out Burger, arriving there right as they opened and trying out animal style fries. Also a big thanks to Pastor Matt for opening up his amazing house to all of us, and the church community for making us a delicious taco bar dinner. Tonight is definitely bittersweet. The trip is winding down which is sad but we are all super excited to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow and finally 4500 miles later arrive in San Francisco! Can't wait to see all of our family and friends =)P.S. Thank you David Walder for driving for us today!!With love,I4K
72 Down, 2 To Go!
Greetings all!Today we began our ride bright (or rather dark) and early in Laytonville, California. The team started out with a dual dedication both to a rider's friend, Chelsea, who was struck by an automobile while riding her bike and to a 2010 I4Ker and cancer survivor, Steve Odon. The day then preceeded through 95 miles of California wine country and ended in Healdsburg, California at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The team was then fortunate enough to receive a donation of a pizza dinner from a rider's mother, AnnMarie Cross.With only two days left before our journey concludes, we salute you, and bid you adeiu.Love always,The Illini 4000
Yay Learning!!
First off, HOLY THREE DAYS LEFT!! It seems so insane that after 73 days together (including those hours on the train!), in 3 days, we'll go our seperate ways. Some people are roadtripping, some flying. Some going back to school, some entering the workforce, some going back to their home countries (we love you, Jun and Young!). In my case, my mom and I will be doing some extra traveling, going to see LA, where I was born, then the grand canyon, with some friends and family visit in between!Part of my goal for this summer was to try to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. Some days, I kind of just want to tour on my bike forever. No feeling beats the joy of biking over the crest of a mountain, and looking back at everything you just climbed. In reality though, I've been trying for a very long time to decide what I want to do as a career. Do I want to research neuroscience, and spend my days playing with brains? Do I want to go to Med school, and get to play doctor everyday? Do I want to fight cancer in some unique, unknown way?For some reason, I've never considered nursing. Don't get me wrong, I've always found it to be a perfectly noble profession. I think nurses are super, super useful, and are generally full of love and other beautiful things, but for some reason, they've never fallen into my list of possible things to do with my life. Two major things have changed that for me.First, living with Kristen has been absolutely awesome. I love watching her do her nurse stuff whenever there's cuts or scrapes or sniffles. She's been an absolute angel, answering all my questions along the way about what nursing school was like and what she expects her job to be like and why she went into nursing. (She also provides all those answers for Casey. We're a curious lot. Thanks Kristen!!!) She's done a ton to help me understand what I should be expecting, as well as trying to help walk me through what I love about neuro and what I would love about nursing and basically helping me in every way she can.Secondly, I've been blessed enough to sit in on most of the portraits (best static chore everrrrr).very single time, I learn. I learn something new, about cancer, about myself, about life. Lately, I've been lucky enough to learn about something that's always been a huge part of my life-caretaking. I've spent most of my life taking care of sick animals and sick people and doing general care-taking-ish things. Sometimes, all I think I have left to learn is actual medical procedures (teenager syndrome taking over). But thanks to the portraits, I've learned more than I ever couldve imagined. Care taking is so much more than giving medicine and taking vitals. It means talking to them and holding their hand when they're scared. Being there when no one else is. Giving them someone to laugh to or scream at or cry with. I owe enormous thanks to every portrait who has helped me realize how much it really means to be a caregiver, and for opening my eyes to why I should be a nurse.I guess what I really should say is: Mom, Dad... I'm going into nursing!
"I'd Rather Be Hunting"
Greetings all!Today we began our morning tearing down camp in the redwoods. We then traveled along the Avenue of the Giants before spending much of our day on 101S. It was a hilly ride with the temperature steadily increasing throughout, but the groups ended the day putting another seventy or so miles behind them. San Francisco now lies less than two hundred miles ahead of us! As we settle in at the Community Christian Church for the night and our ever long journey nears the end, we bid you goodnight and happy riding; onward and southward.Love always,The Illini 4000
Bigfoot for Governor!
Greetings campers!Today we find ourselves in the glorious redwoods of Humboldt National Park in California. This morning we set off from First United Methodist Church in Eureka, CA. The cold ocean air was full of fog and mist (as with most of our mornings on the coast) but as we traveled mere miles inland, we began shedding layers and quickly found ourselves in the hot and sunny weather of the redwoods. The trees towered above us as we rode the fifteen or so miles on the Avenue of the Giants which led to our campsite right beneath the trees.As the sun begins to set and we settle in for the night, we can't believe we are only four days away from reaching San Francisco. See you there.Much love,The Illini 4000
Pacific Ocean!
We absolutely made it from coast to coast. Although we have 5 days left until we cross the Golden Gate Bridge... we pedaled our way from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. For some reason the Pacific was 10 times more exciting. Maybe because it actually smelled like salty ocean, there were real ocean waves crashing on the rocky shores and sandy beaches, and the misty overcast weather was the northwest Pacific at its best. There is no real way to describe the overwhelming feeling of seeing the coast except for that it is safe to say we all felt like total bada**es that just conquered mountain ranges, dry hot deserts and riding through the windsurfing capitol of the world. Heck yes, we did that. The next few days are extra credit in our heads and more of a scenic redwood bonus. I cannot believe I4K world will be over in 5 days. As much as some of us need a break from all of it, I am positive I will be missing my bike and all my new friends. 69 days down, 5 days to go! Bring it on.
California Dreamin'
Relaxing day on the coast of Cali. Folks walked around, sat around and ate all day. We're rested and ready for our last few ride days.
Tomorrow we go to see a 370 foot tall tree, the 4th tallest in the world and the tallest accessible to tourists. We plan to climb the Stratosphere Giant and camp on the canopy overlooking all of California!
See you in San Fran on the 7th!Love,The Illini 4000
Sun, Where are You Hiding?
An 85 mile ride brought us to the location of our final event day: Eureka, CA. The fog and cold of Northern California has caught many by surprise. Many on the team imagined sunshine, tailwinds and downhills on the final few days to San Francisco. But the beauty of the coastal fog mixed with hundred foot tall trees is a worthy trade off.
We plan to rest up and enjoy the beach here in Eureka. Then it's the home stretch.
Thanks for the support,The Illini 4000
California, Here We Come
We're in California! We've been riding for 67 days and we crossed into our final state at our lunch stop. We're again staying on the beautiful pacific coast in crescent city. Team chemistry remains at an all time high after a delicious potluck dinner thanks to the ever so generous crescent city united Methodist church.
Event day in eureka tomorrow...our last one before the bridge!
Stay classy,The Illini 4000
PACIFIC COAST
Today the team left Bandon on their way to Gold Beach. It was our second day on the famous highway 101. We rode by many other touring cyclists, making us feel right at home. The coast was gorgeous and we indulged in an ocean view for most of the day. Front wheels were dipped, officially marking our trek from one coast to the other completed. Onwards to San Francisco, we will be close friends with 101 by the end of this trip.
A special thanks to Bethany Lutheran church for providing us with an amazing potluck dinner. Also, thanks to the Rosemary and Audrey for taking the time to tell us their stories! They both provided wonderful portraits, and we can't thank them enough for that.
And to all the other cyclists out there: enjoy, but stay safe!
Much love,
The Illini 4000
San Francisco Arrival Information
With our riders about to begin their final stretch down the Pacific coast, it’s time to think about how we’re going to wrap it all up. Once again, the San Francisco Alumni Club has graciously volunteered to put something together. It all starts at 10:30am on August 7th at Crissy Field, just east of the Golden Gate Bridge (map). Riders are expected to arrive around 11am. The Alumni Club is ordering box lunches for the event, please visit the Alumni Club’s website before Wednesday, August 1st to place your order. The alumni club will be providing lunches for the riders. Please bring your own beverages and seating. Things should wrap up around 12:30pm. Questions about the event should be directed to Sylva Kung (vp_events_eastbay@sfbayillini.org).We look forward to seeing you there!
55 Degrees? Isnt It Summer?!
I4K fans,Today the team left Florence, Oregon and headed southwest on iconic US-101 to Bandon, officially beginning the last stretch of our cross-country ride. We caught sights of the Pacific Ocean as we made our way down Oregon, passing through some beautiful coastal towns with fresh fish and salty air. We were enjoying an easy ride all the way to Charleston when we hit a unexpected surprise-Seven Devils Road (seven devils for the seven giant hills!!!). We traversed through the devils to reach an amazing downhill all the way to Bandon.Staying on the Pacific tonight is a sober reminder that this amazing journey is nearing the end, but we know the best is yet to come as we continue toward California! Thanks to the First Presbyterian Church for housing us for the night, especially so close to the beach!Much Love,I4KP.S. Did we mention that we are officially over 4000 miles? :)
Glimpses of Coastline
Hello everybody! Today we traveled on the beautiful country roads of Oregon from Corvallis to Florence. The morning started out bright and early with a 5 am wakeup and ended 89 miles later after plenty of lush, hilly views, flowing streams, and glassy lakes. When we arrived in Florence, we were pleased to discover a Mcdonalds and a movie theatre right down the street; luxuries we have come to cherish.As we settle down at New Life Lutheran Church, mere miles from the Pacific Ocean and a whole country away from where we began, we bid you goodnight and adeiu; San Fran here we come.Love,The Illini 4000
Carving our way to Corvallis
Greetings from Corvallis!Today we were treated to a beautiful breakfast of cereal and fruit salad. We started out on our 91 mile ride, all a little chilly from the cool Portland morning. For our first rest stop we discovered the magic of what David Walder (our director of logistics) described as the best fast food- Burgerville! After chowing down on onion rings made from the Walla Walla sweet onions we'd been blessed enough to taste earlier in our travels, we continued on the road.As the day warmed up, we were presented with something we haven't seen in quite a few states- towns throughout the entire day! Between all the members of the team, we visited a plethora of fruit stands, gas stations, family businesses, and (of course!) another Burgerville.Huge thanks to the First United Methodist Church in Corvallis for housing us for the night! Without help from the communities, we couldn't possibly do what we do.Thanks for the continued support!The Illini 4000
Settin' Our Anchors in Portland
Portland! A city that keeps itself weird. Today the team had a blast exploring Portland. We were lucky enough to be in town during the Oregon Brewers' Festival, which a number of riders enjoyed. Many members of the team partook in the Portland-famous Voodoo Doughnuts. They were mad delicious! Some riders relaxed at the Cafe D'Arte just around the corner from our stayover.Thanks to the city of Portland for housing and entertaining us today. Also thanks to Angie and Jim Fee for hosting most of the team tonight for dinner. A big thank you as well to Craig, an athlete who biked around the coast of Australia and shared his stories with the team. Finally, we would again like to thank the Church of All Nations for providing us a temporary home!Keeping Portland weird,I4K 2012Fun fact: It is illegal to pump your own gas in Portland (well, all of Oregon to be precise) Just like one other state in our fine collection of states...New Jersey!
We Wish You a Merry Portland and a Happy New Bike
Today was a shorter ride in terms of mileage for I4K2012, but that does not mean it was lacking in fun! (or food for that matter) We set off from Cascade Locks for a brisk 20 mile jaunt in the Columbia River Gorge. Atop the Crown Point Vista House we met up with Barbara Lorraine, a U of I alumna and champion Iron Woman, and continued our ride to the home of Melinda Carlson, an Illinois alum. Set before us was a lavish smorgasbord of breakfast delights. With quiches and frittatas galore, we filled our stomachs until we could eat no more. While there, we mingled with a number of members of the Portland chapter of the Illinois Alumni Association. Afterward, we meandered into the city of Portland, leisurely biking through Oregon's hills. Once at our home for the next two days, the Church of All Nations, the team celebrated I4Kristmas, in which we exchanged gifts we found on the side of the road in Secret Santa fashion. The holiday spirit really boosted team chemistry! For dinner, we headed to Grant Park (in Portland, not Chicago) for a picnic with Team in Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that also trains for marathons. It was wonderful to bond with others fighting for the same cause as us.Thank you to Barb, Melinda, and Team in Training for all of their fabulous support! You all really made today special for us. Thanks to the city of Portland for their multitudinous bike paths and neat bike traffic lights. You are a rad city to bike in! Finally, a huge thank you to the Church of All Nations for generously housing us and our bikes for tonight and our rest day tomorrow.Happy holidays,The Illini 4000Fun Fact: It is illegal to whistle underwater in Portland. The origin behind this strange law is unclear. The more you know, I4K style.
Go West, Young Man: I4K's Adventures on the Oregon Trail
No alarm clocks were needed this morning, as it was a gentle sunrise that awakened us in our cozy tents in agrestal Maryhill State Park. Just like Thoreau finding his own path through nature, we climbed the crudely paved hills and country roads on our way to our first rest stop: McDonald's. From there we biked onward to Oregon, seeing Mount Hood and Mount Adams in the distance. Along our "Oregon trail," we met several other touring cyclists who wished us well on our way. Because we had many tough climbs today, their words of encouragement were invaluable. At long last, the pertinacious team arrived in Cascade Locks, OR, our home for the night. We made ourselves comfortable at the local high school and became acquainted with the local ice cream drive-in across the street. We will rest easy tonight knowing the excitement of Portland awaits us within just a day. It's hard to believe that the accomplishment of San Francisco will arrive within the fortnight.A huge thank you to Cascade Locks School for opening their doors, washers, dryers, showers, and computers to us. We could not be more appreciative! Also thanks to East Wind Drive-In across the street. Your flavor blasts to your ice cream cones were delish!Happy trails,The Illini 4000Fun fact: Oregon is the only state to have an official state nut. That nut is the hazelnut. The more you know, I4K style.