(written in the Pacific Time Zone!!!!!!!)

Today’s ride was dedicated to Donna, who is the mother of Marie’s friend’s. Donna has a tumor in her throat, and this is her third time having cancer. At the current time, she has a lot of trouble with speaking due to her tumor, but has no trouble remaining positive for herself and her family and everyone around her. Such strength and positivity is what drives us every day to get through even the toughest days.

Today was about a 67 mile day that took a bit longer than expected! We began our day on normal roads, and then had planned on being on trails throughout the rest of the day. However, when we approached the trails it was evident that the trails were designed for mountain bikes, which would not be the best for our road bikes! Mountain bikes typically have larger and heavier tires that allow a person to go over rocks without skidding or losing control, and allows you to climb and go down rocky roads like this trail was. Our road bikes are, as named, mostly meant for paved roads due to their smaller tires that are kept at a higher tire pressure (say that five times fast). SO, we had a little reroute onto interstate 90, which we have rode on in several states now because a lot of states out west allow bikes on their interstates. Despite detours, we made it into Idaho and the Pacific Time Zone, therefore gaining an hour!

Tonight we are lucky to be at the Mullan Athletic Pavilion, where we have been able to make ourselves at home and take warm showers. At this point, we are undoubtedly the cleanest team in Illini 4000 history. A combination of luck and determination has allowed us to find showers in well over 85% of the places we have been thus far. The athletic pavilion also has basketball and volleyball which we have been playing all night, having a really great time.

Today’s shout-out goes to Mike, who was awesome in the van today. The reroutes were pretty stressful because we were in a part of the mountains that did not receive service, but Mike thought through every possibility and made sure that all of the teams were safe and together and knew the plan. We know he is not excited that his bike is broken and he is in the van, but he is a trooper anyway and always positive, supportive, and great to be around.