Today’s ride was dedicated to a University of Illinois professor in the education department who was very important to Mike, one of our ride leaders. Mike’s professor would often spend time in and out of the classroom to encourage his students to pursue their dreams. He passed away in the fall soon after discovering that he had been diagnosed with cancer. The whole team could tell how important this person was to Mike, and it reminded us again why we ride each day.

Today we went outside to begin the ride and realized it was COLD! Not sure why that was surprising, but we were thankful for our I4K quarter-zips this morning for sure. The hills were a little less intense than the last couple of days, which we were thankful for as well. By the end of the day, the sun had come out and we made it to Syracuse in time to have a tour of the Erie Canal Museum thanks to our WONDERFUL stayover, the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

At the stayover, we had the opportunity to talk to a church member as part of our Portraits Project. The Portraits Project is the component of our summer ride that we perhaps value the most, because it gives us the chance to meet those we are riding for. We try to interview as many people as we can: those currently battling cancer, survivors, caregivers, friends, family, anybody who has had an experience with cancer. The portrait that we conducted today was very powerful, and we hope that you look out for it on the website: http://www.portraitsproject.org/

St. Paul’s also provided us with a homemade dinner, showers at the neighboring YMCA, and food for breakfast tomorrow. We are so thankful and full and happy this evening and once again blown away by the kindness shown by strangers.

Rider shoutout: Zane has been killing it on the road these past several days. He had never really biked before doing I4K, but continues to push himself and never give up. Zane is always honest about how he feels and isn’t afraid to admit when he is sore after biking some crazy hills – but he always just stretches it out and keeps on going!