Today's 53 miles ride took us from Salt Lake City to Grantsville, UT. Some of us on the team were nervous for today's ride because of the tremendous climb to the flattop mountain, part of the Oquirrh mountain range in Utah. The climb to the mountain top was very steep, and the team anticipated a longer day even though the ride was shorter than our usual days. Another element that we did not anticipate made our climb even more challenging: gravel on the road. The road was filled with gravel to the point that we had to hop off our bikes and walk the majority of the way. Even the cars that passed us on their way to the top seemed to have difficulty driving over the large rocks that littered the way. However, the picturesque view from the top made it all worth it, displaying mountains beyond mountains all around. Most of us got to our stayover for the night at 5 in the evening and were fortunate to have our hosts from Grantsville High School provide us with some bread and fruit for dinner. Some of our teammates also bought some cactus leaves and tomatillos from a local supermarket for dinner tonight to add on to our usual palate consisting of lentils and spaghetti . Hopefully this will prepare us well for our 90 mile ride tomorrow.
Just 2 Days in Idaho
I was blown away by the immense love and support we received while in Idaho. On our ride in, we recieved good news after good news. At our first rest stop, 20 miles in, after climbing the Teton Pass and entering Idaho, we'd be stopping at a gas station/ cafe, and the owner was donating our lunch, a sandwich, chips, a cookie, and drink. This much needed meal was so much appreciated and helped us carry on to our next rest stop, where we would find out that our stay over was making us tacos! They'd be providing us with showers, pool, hot tub, and sauna access, as well. Idaho Falls certainly did not disappoint.The following day, we headed South to Pocatello, Idaho. At one of rest stops, a generous woman opened up her cafe for us to use the bathrooms. she also gave us cookies the size of our heads. They were so good. Upon arrival in Pocatello, we met some incredible people. They immediately shuttled us to Idaho State University for showers, and they left some great post ride snacks out for us. Pocatello has one of the largest cancer support groups in the country. It was amazing to meet some of the people in the group and sit in on one of their meetings. These people have not let cancer take over their lives. Their stories and outlooks were inspiring, and I am so glad to have met them.
Onward to Idaho
From Cody, we made our way into Yellowstone National Park, where we would be spending 2 days. The ride was a long and hot 80 miles. Upon entering the park, we made about a 3 mile climb to the top, to look out over Yellowstone Lake and the beautiful expansive park. After a day of no cell service, I was excited to reach the top and call my parents to share the experience with them. The day and climb were long and hard, but we made it to our campsite and enjoyed a spaghetti dinner cooked over a fire while celebrating Heather’s birthday.The following day, I decided to spend the day relaxing at the campsite. I slept in and enjoyed the day and surrounding nature. The park was gorgeous and filled with wildlife; a buffalo was resting just feet from our tent site.Our ride the next morning started out in the freezing cold. The team huddled together to warm up before the ride. It was almost difficult to breathe, because we were so high up and it was so brisk. I bundled up in all of my cold weather gear – arm and leg warmers and my rain jacket. As we descended the mountain, the views were breathtaking. The fact that Yellowstone is a major attraction became apparent as we were descending and counting the states represented by license plates. It was exciting to see so many far off tourists from all across America enjoying Yellowstone.Atop the mountain, we met an incredible family of an inspiring cancer survivor, Sam. Sam is 14 years old and two years cancer free. He suffered from a sarcoma in his leg bones. His advice to other kids with cancer is to, “eat a lot and stay strong.” His family was a pleasure to meet and just the motivation we needed to continue riding.On the ride, we entered the Grand Teton Nation Forest, which was absolutely beautiful. The mountain ranges are unlike anything I have ever seen before. Along the mountains, we battled some tough headwinds, but we were so excited to arrive in Jacksonhole, Wyoming.Jackson is essentially a valley, surrounded by mountains on every side. It is an adorable, touristy ski town. I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time there. I hope to return at some point. From Jackson onward, we forge unknown territory. Our route is all new to I4K. The 2013 team is the first to experience it. That morning we set out on what will likely be, for me, at least, the hardest climb of our ride. We climbed 12 miles up the Teton Pass, about a 10% grade and 4,000 feet of elevation to the top. It was such an accomplishment to reach the top of the pass. That Saturday morning, a friend of mine, Jackie Hudzinski, got married. Her father passed away from a rare stomach cancer about 5 years ago. He was a big part of our family's life, as he coached my sister in softball for about 8 years. I dedicated my ride to the Hudzinski family. His battle was one of my first experiences with this terrible disease. Knowing his fight helped me push my way up the mountains.The downhill afterward led us into Idaho! I never thought I'd find myself in Idaho for any reason at all. However, I am so glad our journey led us there, because the team was blessed with good news after good news and surprise after surprise!
Salt Lake City Event Day
Salt Lake City has proven to be an oasis in the desert state of Utah. With temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and no shade in sight, it looked like Utah was going to be rough. Fortunately, our stay over at the Newman Center at the University of Utah is an air-conditioned godsend, especially on an event day. Most of us can’t remember the last time we got over 6 hours of sleep, but boy was it glorious to not be woken up by the mind-numbing drone of 22 individual alarms. Our event day took us to the Huntsman Cancer Institute just off the University of Utah’s campus where we meet with three researchers who were beneficiaries of Damon Runyon Research Grants. We discussed research triumphs and ideas over tacos while meeting the future of cancer research. It was incredibly inspiring and motivating to meet the researchers who are using our hard earned fundraising dollars directly. After a brief tour of their labs and an invitation to visit next year, we ventured back into the Utah sun.Our last week of travel has been marked by a pungent odor that I can only assume has been the direct product of hard biking, sweat, and camping. Luckily, there was a laudromat within walking distance and the team was able to round out the afternoon and evening by doing some laundry and checking out some local college town eateries. (Emphasis on the oreo cheesecake shake and bacon bleu cheese burgers at B & D burgers). Concluding a brief team meeting and a shocking realization that we have less than 1000 miles left in our journey, we all relish the air conditioning at the Newman Center knowing full well that the unforgiving heat and sun await us tomorrow.
Not Too Hot to Handle
We started the day off with the morning Mosher, where the team sat in a circle and gave the person to our right a back massage. On top of that, we had to tell the person who was sitting in front of us what we liked about them. Definitely a great way to start off our trip on Day 52! We rode out from crystal springs campground outside of Logan, and headed towards Salt Lake City. There, we will be having a day off from biking and will be hosted by one of our beneficiaries Damon Runyon at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. In comparison to the rides we did in the past week, our 75 mile ride was a breeze without any major headwinds and climbs and a beautiful bike trail. On the other hand, there was barely any breeze to cool us off on our way to Salt Lake City. As we head further out west, we have been hearing from people we meet along the way tell us of the extreme heat that we will be experiencing as we get closer to Nevada. That will probably mean more rest stops along the way while biking to keep ourselves hydrated in the scorching heat. In the meantime, the team is looking forward to having a well rested day in the city before continuing on our summer journey.
Bikes, Bibs, and Braaaaiiiins....
Early wakeup. Those two words that you dread hearing the night before a 100+ mile day. As soon as you hear it, your mind begins racing and you ask yourself: “If I fell asleep at this exact moment, how many hours of sleep would I get?” Usually, the answer ain’t pretty. The great food, showers, and atmosphere that Good Shepherd Lutheran Church provided will never be forgotten, but most of us would like to forget the exact moment when our alarms woke us up into a zombie-like state. Fortunately, we were fed a hearty breakfast and with a hearty helping of Chuck Norris facts during our morning Mosher, we were off into the great valley that we had descended into not 12 hours earlier. The wind came from the NNW, but because of the funneling ability of the valley, we fought headwinds for the first 30 miles. I’d venture to believe that nothing is harder than headwinds. One of our rider's even said that she’d rather climb the Big Horn Mountain again.Once the headwinds finally subsided we made great time for the rest of the day after briefly taking shelter in a Burger King as a hailstorm passed over our heads. Now, most of us are fans of camping, but maybe just not after a 106 mile day. Luckily, the weather continued to cooperate and we were able to stay dry throughout the day and night. We’re only one day away from a much needed rest day. Onward.
Wow Wyoming
After leaving Gillette, WY, we continued westward to Buffalo, WY. We met some amazing people there who fed us a great dinner and shared with us their stories about living with cancer.We woke up the following morning to conquer the Big Horn Mountains. I was so nervous for the climb we had literally been talking about since Day 1. In 35 miles, we climbed over 4,000 feet of elevation. It was so difficult to keep the pedals moving at a slow average of 5-6 miles per hour. It was a slow morning, but when we finally made it to the peak of the mountain, we were greeted by Greg in a bear suit, peanut butter jelly sandwiches, cold winds, and a gorgeous view. We rested there and enjoyed our major accomplishment knowing the downhill soon awaited us.At the top of the mountain, our arm warmers, leg warmers, jackets, and gloves went on, as we got ready to descend the mountain. There were signs that warned of the 18 mile downhill and the grade of elevation loss. We were excited to say the least. The winding downhill was terrifying, but unbelievably beautiful. The surrounding canyon made for a gorgeous and relaxing ride after a tedious uphill. Finally, we arrived at our camp site for the night, showered in the creek, ate sandwiches, made smores, and enjoyed a night of no service or internet with the team.From there, we headed to Greybull, Wyoming. It was a 57 mile ride, and it seemed to fly, considering it was a shorter ride in comparison to previous days. We really enjoyed the open road and tailwind. The following day was a similar 53 mile day that led us in to Cody, Wyoming. I have heard so much about Cody the past few years, as it is the summer home of a professor of mine. Fortunately, while in Cody, I got to spend some time with that professor, Terri Russ, at one of her favorite local spots. After a great dinner and square dance lesson from the church, I headed to The Dollar to meet Terri and Jamie. I truly appreciated the support and generosity in showing me some Cody livin’ – such a memorable night!
Incredible Idaho
Today we were lucky enough to have a late wakeup at 7:30 AM, which was well needed after a rough couple of days. The ride today wasn’t too long--we only had about 52 miles to cover to reach Pocatello, ID. We were faced with some headwinds, but we were able to refuel at our lunch stop when a café owner donated a bunch of cookies to the team!Before we reached our stay over location, some of the riders came across a car wash, which was being held to raise money for cancer research. When we stopped to talk to the people working the car wash, we discovered that the fundraiser was being held for a cancer patient who was a father, grandfather, brother, and friend to those working at the car wash. We were thrilled to meet this family since we were able to conduct a portrait and help with their car wash.Once we made it to our stay over location, we were greeted with welcoming arms by the members of the Good Shepard Lutheran Church. They shuttled us to Idaho State University so that we could shower and then they cooked us a delicious dinner. We are so thankful for their generosity. In addition to their hospitality, they also introduced us to their cancer support group and the entire team was deeply moved by the stories and advice that these wonderful individuals gave us. We collected several remarkable portraits from members of the support group. We will never forget our stay in Pocatello, ID and we look forward to telling future riders about one of the most memorable moments of our I4K journey!
hello, idaho
We entered Idaho yesterday, and let's just say that it has been beyond amazing. Upon crossing the border, we were greeted only five miles later by a lovely cafe in Victor, ID who offered us all free lunch! We were blessed with sandwiches, chips, and oatmeal cream pies. Later that day, we arrived at the stayover in Idaho Falls and were welcomed by the Calvary Baptist Church. After a long day (95 miles with a few huge climbs) the dinner they prepared us really hit the spot! After dinner, we were taken over to Apple Athletic Club to shower. Yet, if showers weren't enough, they let us use their pool, hot tub, and sauna! It was great to let our legs and muscles rest.This morning, we had a late wake up time due to a shorter ride today. Who would've known that getting up at 7:15 would be so exciting! We had a great breakfast of cereal, bananas, and coffee (also provided by the church!) and then set off to Pocatello, ID. We stopped for lunch in Fort Hall and were laying around on the ground on the side of the road. Much to our surprise, a lovely lady walked out of the local cafe with bags of huge homemade cookies for us! You should have heard us all sigh in unison at the sight of the cookies.Upon entering Pocatello, we passed a few separate groups of people holding signs on the side of the road for various fundraising endeavors- car washes, bake sales, etc. When my group was only two miles away from today's stayover, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, we passed another car wash, crafts, and baked goods fundraiser. About 200 feet past them, my brain finally processed what their sign said- "We are fundraising for our dad with colon cancer." We immediately turned back around and headed to the car wash. This could not have been a more inspiring detour. There were tons of family members there, sitting under a tent selling crafts and snacks or washing cars or holding signs on the side of the road. They were all there for one person. That individual was a grandfather, uncle, father, and more. His recent diagnosis with colon cancer had led the family to take action and assist with fundraising, due to the strong financial burdens a diagnosis can hold. We explained our story and how we collect interviews for the Portraits Project. They agreed to do a portrait! While waiting for the van, we decided to help wave signs on the side of the road. We let some folks have a break from the sun and sit under the shade while we danced on the side of the road yelling "Car wash for cancer!," promoting the cause to the best of our ability. The van finally arrived and we conducted an wonderful portrait. As we were leaving the car wash, we were all inspired by how many family members had come out to join in the fundraiser. There must have been at least 20 people there, if not 30. It's great to see how families can really come together.We finally arrived at the stayover and were surprised to find juice, fruit, and some great ladies waiting to drive us to showers! We were incredibly lucky to take showers at the Idaho State University gym. After this, we were fed an amazing meal of hot dogs, sausages, macaroni and cheese, quinoa, hummus, noodles, and beans! What was even more exciting were the folks we got to eat with! Some members of the local cancer support group had come to eat with us, and my table was privileged to sit with Gloria, a cancer survivor and box of joy! She told us countless stories about life, traveling, cancer, the support group, and just about anything else. We were both laughing and crying throughout the whole dinner.After dinner, we were blown away by the amazing offer to sit in on an example of what a gathering of the cancer support group looks like. Words cannot describe how blessed we were by this. We were taken in like family and could not have felt more welcomed. It was such an encouraging environment and most of us were moved to tears. Checking out local cancer support groups will definitely be something I suggest to those struggling. It provides a perspective that otherwise would be unattainable.Post-meeting we were able to conduct four portraits! (I know you're probably amazed that this blog is STILL GOING! and still about today, for that matter.) The portrait I sat in one that was inspiring beyond belief. It re-centered us on why we are riding. It inspired us to look to the future. It allowed us to not just ride for a medicine to prolong the time to live, but for a real cure. Above all, the portrait provided us with stories of real people who weren't able to stick around enough to find a cure. We're riding for them.
[Journal] Day 8; Boonsboro, MD - Everett, PA
"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." - Proverbs 18:22It was the year of 2008.I was taking a summer in S.Korea. It was a great chance for me to visit my family and take summer class in my mother nation.God sometimes acts upon us humorously when it comes to LOVE.We never had a same class. The only connection we had was our mutual friend who happened to know both of us.Then, this one text message, one wrong text message sent to wrong person, changed the whole thing.One day she send me the text regarding the party of her friend during the weekends. I was half excited, half doubtful. Is this person really inviting me to this party? THIS IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!So I responded whether she really meant me to come, or she sent it to the wrong person. I received the response 3 minutes later."Oops, sorry! Wrong Je Won."Apparently there was another guy named as same. Since then this girl's name was stuck in my head and never came off.'Haeley Park'Long story short, I heard she was back in S.Korea and we met each other again while I was serving in ROKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force) for military duty in 2011.Then, this beautiful girl and I got married in August, 2012.Everyday I ride, whenever I look up the sky, she is always smiling at me. Then I smile back and continue pedaling.As I went through Boonsboro to Everett, I realized how blessing it is to have a reason to be a better person each moment.I believe all I4K members have a same thought.All the families, friends, relatives, and supporters bring as the energy to continue this journey.I once again thank you for everything you have done to us.Coming this August is 1st Anniversary.Haeley "Haedeun" Park, I'm the luckiest guy on earth to be with you, and I love you so much. See you in San Francisco!
Onward into the land of potatoes
Even before it started, we knew today would be a long day. What we faced was the four-mile, 10% uphill on the Teton byway. Luckily, instead of dodging heavy traffic, there was a nicely paved bike trail for us to take. Local people told us it was the old Teton byway, which was then remodeled for cyclists. Climbing the hill was not going to be easy for us. According to many of our smartphones the ride was going to be particularly daunting. Fortunately, the climb did provide some spectacular views. The switchback path allowed us to view the landscape behind from all angles. Some groups also stopped at a beautiful pond halfway up. The ice cold water was very refreshing. After more than 2 strenuous hours and over 2000 feet of climbing we finally reached the top. The one benefit of a long climb is the easy descent that comes with as all the groups coasted into our first rest stop that had a surprise.We would like to send our thanks out to the Victor Gateway Station, whose employees were kind enough to treat us to lunch. It was definitely a blessing to have a delicious lunch after climbing all morning. Idaho continued to surprise us throughout the day, not only with more hills to climb, but also with the generosity of strangers. Tonight the team’s stay over is at Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls, where we were greeted not only with kindness, but also with a wonderful dinner! It was a great conclusion to a long and tiring day, and the whole team is already agreeing that Idaho is definitely a hidden gem in our country.
Goodbye Yellowstone but Hey Hello Grand Tetons
It was 5am in the morning, and it felt like 40 degrees outside. The team woke up before sunrise to get ready for this 95 mile day to Jackson, WY. Packing the van was more difficult in the darkness and the cold milk and cereal didn’t help to warm us up either. But when the sun finally came out, everything became shiny and happy again.
It’s hard not to make any stops in National Parks. Some of the group stopped by the general store for coffee in order to warm their bodies up. There we met Remy Terrier once again. He is a cyclist from France who is biking across America this summer. The team first met him on the way to Yellowstone. We were happy to see him and his recumbent bike and we exchanged a lot of experiences about cycling.Biking in the Yellowstone is not an easy task. The narrow shoulder and crazy RV drivers made us nervous. It has been a while for us to be so concerned about traffic since the flat land of South Dakota and Wyoming. But we all made it through the chaos, and we didn’t forget to enjoy the beautiful geysers and waterfalls.Happy times are always short. After two nights camping in Yellowstone, we finally have to say goodbye to it. However, it didn’t mean the rest of the day was bad. We were soon welcomed by the mighty mountain of the Great Teton. Even though we had some gusty wind in the afternoon, biking right in front of the Great Teton was such a sweet experience. All the clouds were piled on the other side of the Tetons while sunshine sprinkled on us.
It was a long day of riding and we harvested not only fun but also donations and portraits.A huge thanks to our stayover, First Baptist Jackson, for welcoming us into their church! It was beautiful. We also would like to thank Heather's family members (Dana Norris and Maureen Blackb urn) for funding a delicious food donation of pizza, salad and breadsticks! After a long day on the road, a great meal and awesome stayover was much needed.
Bison, Geysers, Lakes, and Mountains!
The Yellowstone event day started slowly, despite great anticipation, due to the brisk morning. We started a fire to warm up while eating cereal and discussing the day’s activities. Some members decided to check out Old Faithful, others celebrated Heather Norris’ 22nd birthday with a hike and picnic, and a few took the day to relax and catch up on journals or bike maintenance.Those who checked out Old Faithful caught a ride from the campground to see the natural geyser. Along the way, they discovered that the driver’s wife died of breast cancer 3 years prior, and talked about what our organization is doing. Tomorrow we will dedicate our ride to the memory of LaDine.For those who went hiking, the day consisted of slowly ascending the mountain overlooking Yellowstone Lake. On the way up, they met some other people making their way across the country, and got a few pictures in front of the scenic overlook. A feast of a picnic was had on the shore of the lake before heading back to the campground for a team meeting.After recapping the past and upcoming weeks, we retired early in anticipation of the next day’s 95 mile ride out of the park.
Arriving in Yellowstone
Today we rode from Cody, WY to Yellowstone National Park! A greatly anticipated part of I4K for many riders, the ride easily lived up to expectations as one of the prettiest rides of the trip so far. We were able to see the landscape change over the day from a more arid canyon to a lush forest with lakes and streams.We all met at the café outside the park at lunch to pile into the van and shuttle into the park, but due to road construction we were delayed and ended up getting into camp just before sunset. Riding into the campground provided stunning scenery of Yellowstone Lake as well as some up-close encounters with a few bison. One of the first groups went ahead and set up all of our tents so we were able to start dinner right away after the long day.Following our normal routines were a bit difficult at the campsite, especially with the time crunch at the end of the day. Because we arrived shortly before sunset and had to cook dinner over a campfire, things were hectic yet fun as we got to try out this new experience. Before going to bed, we had to be extremely careful to be clean and put our food into “bear boxes” to keep the chance of encounter with a Grizzly to a minimum.At the end of the day, it was relaxing to sit around the campfire among teammates. Eventually, we all headed to our tents in the Yellowstone woods in the dark to catch up on sleep.
Getting Ready in Cody
Today we were biking from Greybull, Wyoming to Cody, Wyoming for a short 53 miles ride. The ride was very short so that we could do laundry and prepare for the ride into Yellowstone National Park and the upcoming event day. However, some of the groups encountered hailstorms in the early afternoon.Our afternoons and evenings were very productive and exciting! Some folks headed to get their laundry done while others hung out at various shops around town. We gathered together again for a delicious dinner cooked by our stayover hosts. We could not have been more delighted with the delectable treats. They even gave us brownies and ice cream for dessert! After dinner, the night got wild- a square dancing crew typically meets in the church on Monday nights, so we were invited to join in on the fun! All of the square-dancers were incredibly tolerant of our lack of skill and welcomed us with open arms (literally)! After we were all dead tired from the dancing, we headed to the grocery store to pick up some food for our camping time in Yellowstone tomorrow and Wednesday.A huge thanks to our stayover, Christ Episcopal Church, and the wonderful members who cooked us dinner! We also could not be more thrilled to have been included in the square-dancing activities tonight. This will definitely be a night to remember.
[Journal] Day 7; Washington DC - Boonsboro, MD
"Everytime I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. WellsThe path to Boonsboro was not an easy one.My team got lost and had to add extra 10 miles on our odometer.Getting lost and having an extra 10 miles, however, didn't drag us down much. We still made it to Boonsboro as 2nd group, close to 1st group.I should mention Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church's warm welcoming and hospitality here. 22 members of college kids, all sweaty and sun-burned, had one of the best moments in Illini4000 2013 riding. God bless all of you and we will ride with your true heart given.Town of Boonsboro also happened to have a carnival in nearby ground from the church, and the riders enjoyed it so much. Being in Maryland for the first time, I would love to come back once again.My wheels will circle tomorrow as always.Thanks for your supports and prayers.
We'll Climb a Little Higher
Today, I conquered a mountain. That’s right, I pedaled my brains out for thirty-six miles on a 7% incline for over 5,000 feet of elevation. I climbed a vertical mile today. Even as I write this blog, I know that I will never be able to describe how it all felt. I can’t put into words the beauty of the forest, the pain of my legs, the heavy breathing, or the desperate shouts of “WHERE’S THE VAN?!?” that were screamed once we hit mile thirty-three, where we had been told the end of climb was. I cannot describe how amazing that peanut butter and jelly sandwich tasted at the top, how unexpectedly cold it got, or how relieved I was that this climb had no electric fences for me to crash into.I will, however, attempt to describe the descent.Here we are, at the top of this mountain. It’s freezing. The wind is tearing at our jackets, and we’re ready to get back on our bikes, if, for nothing else, than to continue pedaling to keep warm. We’ve been up since 5:30 am. We’ve been on our bikes pedaling for at least five and a half hours, willing ourselves to make it the top, to Powder River Pass at 9,666 feet above sea level. We’re exhausted, and we have no idea what lies ahead, other than an eighteen mile downhill to our campsite. The first few miles are similar to the evergreen forests we had gone through on the way up. And then the suddenly, the rocks on either side of us surge upwards, and we are thrust into what is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen, and to what stands as one of my most incredible experiences.Red rocks with evergreen and scattered shrubs surround us as the road gradually snakes down through the canyon. It’s unbelievable. The wind roars in my ears and my heartbeat quickens, not because of effort, but because of the adrenaline rush. I’m going as fast as I can with this incline and wind, a steady 37 mph. The trucks and campers that pass us can surely see the expression of absolute joy on my face. I can’t hold in the excitement of this thrilling experience. I want to scream at the top of my lungs. I want to let the world know that I’m here, that I’ve conquered the mountain. I know that I can do anything. Even now, as I write this, the feeling comes back. This is better than any dream I’ve ever had. I could have never imagined a better reward. This moment is something that I will never forget.But, like all good things, it ends somewhere. This one ends at a campground at the edge of the national forest, by a fire, surrounded by twenty-one other lunatics that just climbed over 5,000 feet. We’re roasting marshmallows, swapping stories, and enjoying a night with no phone service and no internet. The roar of the river echoes through the trees, and the fire dances to the night music. I’m ready for whatever tomorrow, the day after, next week, or even next year has to throw at me. Because I know I can conquer anything.
From Canyons to Deserts
Today started wet and cold from the rain we got overnight in the campground, but it turned into a beautiful sunny day. After packing up our tents and eating a quick breakfast, we headed to the campground entrance for sun and the ride dedication. We were able to dedicate today’s ride to Matt Soltys’s grandmother who recently pasted and was a cancer survivor.The ride out of the canyon continued to be beautiful and as we descended, the weather quickly got hotter! We started on a gravel road which, while challenging, was beautiful and a test of our bike handling skills. While on the road, we were able to see the landscape change throughout the day, going from mountainous canyons, to red rock, and finally a more desert-like climate.Last night, while setting up camp, we met a fellow camper, Michael Adams. Mike was diagnosed with multiple myeloma two years ago after undergoing a bone marrow biopsy. He went through chemo and an autologous stem cell transplant and went into remission. Unfortunately, the cancer returned again last fall. “Once I was told that I was in complete remission and that there was no detectable cancer, it seemed like it was reasonable for me to assume I’d have five to seven years; that’s pretty common after a transplant. But ultimately, it did return.” Mike went through three types of chemo, including the IV treatment reserved as a last-ditch effort. “I really thought that was it. They had tried everything and it wasn’t working. I was told at one point that my chances of being alive in a year were one in three. I was told that I’d probably be dead in three months. I was told a number of things.” Thankfully, a new drug was introduced to the market, and it has worked miraculously. Mike is scheduled for another autologous stem cell transplant and a donor transplant later this year, which has the potential to cure him.As a closing remark, Mike talked to us about how he dealt with the diagnosis. “There is no way that cancer can’t affect you. There are places that I won’t let myself go. I won’t go down certain roads and go through certain doors because it would be too depressing. I just made a decision that I will live my life as fully as I can live it. I owe that to myself and I owe that to my family, to live my life as well as I can for whatever time I have. I mean, I could be around for another twenty years—that’s perfectly possible. Or, I could be dead by the end of the year. Everybody faces that; everybody, theoretically, could go out and get hit by a car, but cancer puts it right up in your face that it’s there in a way that nothing else does. You could be dead at any time. So I am grateful every day that I can get up and feel good.”A special thanks you to the Greybull Recreation District for hosting us tonight.
The Bighorns
Today we rode from Buffalo into the big horns. The beginning half of the ride was extremely demanding; within the first 34 miles we climbed more than 5,500 feet. That's a vertical mile! However, after we made it to the top, which was about 9,666 feet in elevation, the day became much easier. The remaining 22 miles were mostly downhill into a canyon. The beautiful landscape consisting of mountains, trees, and cliffs were breathtaking. Today was by far one of the most beautiful days of the trip. Tonight we will enjoy the beauty firsthand as we are camping in the Bighorn National Forest. The team has no cell phone service so mom and dad, don't worry, we are all fine.
Celebrating America on the Road
This morning, we left Newcastle, WY on an 80 mile ride, destination Gillette, Wyoming. The ride was certainly a lot less hilly than our previous day. It was relaxing and allowed for great conversations amongst our team of all girls. We kept breaks short and enjoyed our time on the road, seeing so many cyclists decked out in red, white, and blue. We spent most of the day hoping to run into a thrift store, where we could purchase some stars and stripes apparel – no luck there.We arrived at First United Methodist Church in Gillette, WY to a crowd of parishioners awaiting our arrival. It was great to have the chance to sit and talk to the people of the church. They made us a most memorable dinner of grilled vegetables, pasta salad, burgers, hot dogs, and every kind of patriotic American food imaginable. The food and company certainly made for a memorable Fourth of July.The best part of my night was definitely taking time away to talk to my family in New York and Michigan. Fourth of July has always been a family holiday for me, so for the first time on the trip, I truly felt homesick. Talking to my parents, sister, cousins, grandpa, and aunts truly made me feel right at home. I cannot wait to see everyone come August.I ended the night awaiting the firework show of Gillette, WY. However, the firework show was more of a lightning show over the hills because of the coming thunderstorm. It was amazing waiting for the rain and watching fireworks and lightning light up the sky.I am so much more thankful and appreciative of the country as I have seen it from the road and met so many people along the way. We sang “Proud to be an American” as we rode today, and I am definitely more proud to be an American after seeing so much of this country this summer. So tonight, I am looking forward to falling asleep to the rain, sleeping in a little bit, and a day off driving the van tomorrow.