Author’s note: Due to our future camping days and days in remote areas with no cell service/internet connection, journals may not always be published daily. We will do our best to publish whenever possible!!! Additionally, Maaike (who has recently been feeling very under the weather) would like to give a huge shoutout to Riddhima for carrying the journals the past few days so she can recover. Thank you for reading and following along with us as always :)

Day 38 was long and eventful. The team tackled big and rewarding climbs, got unexpectedly hailed on, rode through the spectacular heart of the Black Hills National Forest, and much more. If you’re an avid reader of the journals, you’ll notice that Maaike and I made the executive decision to take a break from posting yesterday and use our time to just, as our teammate Olivia puts it, “be.” We’re glad we did so, as Day 39 was especially challenging. We forced ourselves through incessant headwinds and a startlingly bare landscape — an unforeseen juxtaposition to the grandiosity of Day 38. After spending a while in South Dakota, we’re grappling with Wyoming’s change of scenery. Still though, and we can’t say this enough, the strangers we encounter in every corner of the country and their receptiveness to our cause continue to make a consistently positive impact on our journey. Onwards and upwards.

Ride Overview, Day 38

Mileage: 75.3

Elevation: 6,399’

Points of Interest: Mount Rushmore, Black Hills National Forest, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park Bike Trail, Hell Canyon Horse Camp, Holy Terror Coffee & Fudge

Quote(s) of the Day

“SAV, PLEASE.” - Claudia, trying to drive SAV up a mountain

“I don’t think I’d want my side profile on a mountain.” - Olivia

“Guys, let it take you.” - Izzy, about the crosswinds

Tales of the Trail

Day 38 can best be described by our teammate Neal’s words: “today is the greatest day we’ve ever had of biking.” Obviously, everyone’s favorite day of the ride is different — this one, however, was certainly memorable in some way for each of us. 

We conquered tedious, winding uphills to Mount Rushmore, a one-of-a-kind national icon that some of us (Maaike and I included) refused to believe was real until we saw it with our own eyes. We swiftly descended steep, curvy downhills like they were our trophies for getting up the climbs before them. All throughout, the imposingly beautiful slopes of the Black Hills National Forest loomed over us. Although it was hard, it was also strangely calming to bike under the watch of nature as otherworldly as that.

A messy combination of rain, thunder, lightning, and hail halted our progress for an hour or so, but we were thankfully able to keep riding after waiting the weather out. The last stretch in the ride was exceptionally gorgeous. The team rolled into Wyoming and were immediately enveloped by its mountainous, forested terrain on either side of the road. We saw some firsts of the ride, like small populations of cacti and tangles of tumbleweeds. Gusts of surprisingly intense crosswinds distracted a little bit from the views, though, as a lot of us had to instead focus on not toppling over onto asphalt. 

It was relatively late when the last groups arrived at our stayover, Christ Episcopal Church. Once we were showered and fed (thank you to our hosts for donating boxes of popsicles!), we retired to bed as soon as we could, eager for rest after a lively day of riding and sightseeing. 

We also want to take a moment to say goodbye to Michael. We wish we could have spent the entire summer with him, but we also must acknowledge the realities of a med school schedule (it turns out that sadly not everything revolves around I4K). He left in the early morning after playing a lively game of Gaga Ball that Olaf taught us, followed by our showers of hugs and well wishes. We loved riding with you Michael, and we hope your relationship with I4K continues on into the future in whatever capacity that life allows for. We’ll miss you.

Ride Overview, Day 39

Mileage: 78.9

Elevation: 2,410’

Points of Interest: Joe’s Food Center, Rozet Post office

Quote of the Day

Tales of the Trail

Despite today’s ride being nowhere near the elevation of the previous day’s, it was mentally hard in ways we had not anticipated. We’re now in Wyoming, the 10th largest state in the country — but also the least populated. Our route followed the same road for almost the entirety of the ride, and this sparse aspect of Wyoming revealed itself to be soberingly true. Cars were a rare sight, much less people to interact with.

Headwinds were a major factor in ride conditions, in that they were constant and unforgiving. Nevertheless, we have our tactics. Biking across the country can skew your grasp of time, but the festivities of the 4th of July were not lost on us — I believe we listened to and/or badly sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood more times than there are states in the country, and we do not regret it. We also came up with some patriotic hashtags, some of our favorites being #cantspellemancipationwithoutemma and #cantspelllucaswithoutusa. We also found an Illinois license plate on the side of the road, the first in the classic collection of I4K license plates and a unique call back to our organization’s home. 

Rolling into our stayover was a tense moment of sore anticipation, hurried on by the chilly rain that caught some of our groups in the last few miles. Hungry and tired, the team was incredibly grateful to be met with the astounding generosity of our hosts at First United Methodist Church. Not only did they give us warm showers, but dinner and breakfast (and Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen)! We also had the pleasure of watching the town’s fireworks show after.

A major shoutout to one of our hosts, Susan, for being such an outspoken fan of the journals (the church gave us flowers to put on our bikes after reading Olaf’s interview from Day 37, which is just one of many kind gestures we could not have anticipated before this ride) and an awesome trivia host! We learned a lot about Wyoming, such as the fact that we will be in the state during its birthday on July 10th.

Of course, anything we do on the ride ultimately grounds itself in our mission of funding cancer research. We’ve encountered stories of the American cancer experience everywhere we’ve gone, none of which would be meaningful without the fundraising we do and the boundlessly giving people that contribute to it. We’re grateful to add the amazing people at First United Methodist Church to that group, and we sincerely thank them for their beyond generous donation of $1,000 to the organization. We could not do anything that we do without moments like these. 

Cyclist’s Corner

Today’s Rider: Olivia Ross

How are you feeling today?

I feel pretty good. Today was a long day, but me and Emma committed to getting that job done for the women…we needed to commit, and by the time I wanted to sag, we were too far gone. We had to see it through! The job needed to be done, and I’m really glad that it got done, because I felt really accomplished. And I hope Emma did too. I’m feeling like a firework. Happy fourth!

You’ve fundraised thousands of dollars for our cause. What has been the most impactful fundraising experience you’ve had?

I feel like my fundraising strategy wasn’t very unique. I just reached out to friends and family, and luckily they were all very supportive and kind, and willing to donate money, and had the funds to, which was great. I just remember being so surprised by people that I hadn't talked to in a couple years that were willing to donate money, like my old cheerleading coach. 

What keeps you going when it gets difficult to put in all of those miles or even to get on the bike?

I feel like it’s a privilege to have perspective of like, I’ve already done this before. I think last year, I took a lot of my tiredness for granted, just feeling very selfish with my emotions almost, whereas this year, I’m just like, it really is a privilege just to be on the bike, and to be able to do that. Especially with cancer interactions that I’ve had recently, just understanding that I might not always be able to do this helps keep me on — obviously if I’m feeling unhealthy, it’s not worth staying on the bike. Just understanding that this opportunity isn’t always guaranteed for me helps.

Do you have a favorite accessory to wear with your ride uniform?

Jon, my partner, my amazing partner…we made these bracelets in Chicago together of each other’s eye colors. So we made those, and I’ve been wearing that, but then it broke last week, so he shipped me a new one! So I haven’t worn it for the past week, and I’m also hesitant to be wearing it on the bike in case it breaks again. But in spirit, I’m wearing it, and he knows that… Last year, I wore a bracelet that my best friend’s mom and her gave to me, which was nice. I didn’t think to bring it this year, but I should have. Sally [my bike] is equipped with the most amazing smiley face on the front, that Olaf so graciously painted on there… You can find me with sour patch kids. And corn nuts, beef jerky. Those are in my pockets. Three pockets, three snacks. Just food and fun trinkets. That’s what I got.

What’s your rest stop routine?

This has changed too since last year, because last year I was just like, “la dee da, I don’t really care.” And now this year, because I’m in charge of everyone else, I’m like, not la dee da at all. “La dee da, I actually care, and I want you guys to hurry up.” But I’ve gotten more zen recently. If rest needs to happen, rest will happen… I use the rest stop as my time to center myself. The bike is not everything, take a moment to just enjoy, and eat snacks, and just try to take it in. That’s what I tried to do today, was just like, “I’m in the mountains.” Take it in. It’s not that deep. I feel like I don’t need to say the stuff that everyone else has said like water, snacks, we all know that. I talk to Claudia, make sure she is well. Check on Sally, make sure she’s still functioning. 

In the remaining portion of the ride, where are you looking forward to visiting the most?

I don’t remember what I said in the beginning, but I am excited for Mount Rainier, and I think I did say that. I am still excited to see Mount Rainier, because we haven’t seen it yet! The anticipation is growing, I am getting excited by the day, more and more. I am also getting more fearful of the climbing, however, I remain optimistic, and it will be beautiful. 

Anything else you want to talk about?

I would like to share that it is the Fourth of July, and it’s been a very eventful, very USA Fourth of July. And also, it was a great dinner today. I really appreciated dinner. I really appreciated Susan [our stayover host]. Thank you so much to Susan, for the amazing trivia, the amazing conversation, the amazing person that she is. Love Susan.

(A reminder that any unfamiliar terms can be found in our handy I4K dictionary.)