We have officially left the first week of the ride behind, yet it feels like we’ve been doing this for much longer. Our sleep schedules, bodies, diets, and mentalities are starting to adjust to a drastically new lifestyle as we continue heading West. Today marks our longest and biggest day of climbing yet, with nearly 7,000 feet of elevation in the relentless ups and downs of the Pennsylvania countryside. The ride was not without its challenges, but we’re glad to say that everyone made it through safely. 

ride overview

Mileage: 82.6

Elevation: 6,853’

Points of Interest: Mann’s Choice Grocery, Bentz Bicycle Sales & Services, Pioneer Park Campground, Forbes State Forest, Flight 93 National Memorial, Shanksville, Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands

quote of the day

tales of the trail

The team rolled out in groups chronologically assigned by birthday, and the landscape immediately threw us into a series of hilly fluctuations. Even from the van, one could feel the effort any vehicle — especially a human-powered one — might need to propel itself forward on climbs as steep as the ones completed today.

Nevertheless, many of us have noted that hills can falsely limit your sense of physical ability. As you approach the base of a new climb, you always doubt whether you can reach the top. Slowly but surely though, you do. Any rider, whether grudgingly or excitedly, will admit that hills have an unexpected way of making you a better rider. Making it over a tough climb is a form of reassurance — a sign that you can do much more than you think you can. Self-doubt feels almost silly in hindsight. 

The descents that followed each hill were equally intimidating, but some would interpret them as a thrilling reward at the top of each summit. These sections of the ride are also a lesson in the mental game of cycling, as the difference between falling and staying upright can be the simple belief that you can do it. Groups also learned important lessons for how to safely navigate the record speeds they were hitting.

At rest stops, we exchanged impressively big numbers from Ride with GPS elevation maps and Garmin watch activity monitors. We also narrated imaginary fights between inchworms and pillbugs, relished fresh fruit bountifully donated by past stayovers, and touched up the map art of the route on the side of the van. Overall, the team intended to take the day slow and have fun despite the physical challenge of the terrain.

The final rest stop was visibly tough. Some riders, having fixed mechanical issues from earlier in the day, were able to get back on the road, while others had to sit out for the last stretch. Crushing hills can feel amazing, but we’ve also learned we need to learn to listen to our bodies. Riders have been great about doing this, even when the outcome stands in the way of their personal hopes for the day.

Shoutout to Emma, Anthony, Kev, Tommy, and Kavin for calling restaurants to ask for food donations, the efforts of which got us copious amounts of wings and salad graciously donated from a local Applebee’s — an effective morale booster for any pack of hungry riders. 

We are now currently at the Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands, our amazing stayover for the night. They have provided us with space and showers, which makes for a night well spent when you’re on the road with I4K. I write this in one of the gymnasiums, watching my teammates play basketball (thank you Neal for saving me from getting taken out by one). We’re about to get ice cream at Suzy’s Simply Delicious to end the night. In spite of the undoubtedly exhausting day they have overcome today, the team carries on in high spirits :)

cyclist’s corner

Today’s Rider: Joey Shepin

How are you feeling today?

Today was really tiring, because we had a lot of uphills and downhills, and even if you’re going down a hill, it’s still pretty stressful to watch out for things and make sure you’re not flipping out on the bike. I’m feeling pretty accomplished as well, because at the beginning of the day I felt pretty sore, and to go through the entire day without too much of a problem was really rewarding. 

What make and model of bicycle are you riding?

I am riding a Cannondale Synapse, it is gray, and it’s so far been a great bike.

Before joining Illini 4000, how much bike training had you done, and did you have any other athletic background that you feel prepared you for this ride?

In terms of biking, I did bike around campus for about two years, my freshman and sophomore years. I was pretty familiar with bikes, but I was definitely not what you would consider a serious biker. I was very casual, and when something broke, I would look at it and try to fix it, but I wasn’t doing tons of research about it, unlike some people on our team definitely do. Sports wise, I did work out, I did some running, some swimming. 

What has been your favorite part of the ride so far?

Coming out of New York City was very memorable. It was rainy, but it was memorable to me because it was really marking the beginning, and for me that was pretty significant to be rolling out of New York City because it was a moment that we’d been leading up to for so long, doing the team trainings, the fundraising, and so many logistics. To finally get going was so rewarding.

Is there anyone you’re doing this ride for, or any specific person you think of when you’re on the ride?

My grandfather is one of the people that I’m riding for. He struggled with skin cancer, and then his dad died when my grandfather was 12 years old. It was a really tough experience for him. And actually, back in the day, they didn’t let kids into hospitals. So when he was in the hospital, my grandfather couldn’t visit him, and so they would have to wait outside and look through the window. So for him it was a really traumatic experience. So my grandfather is one of the people I’m definitely riding for, yeah.

Is there anything you want to say to the people who are cheering you on during this ride?

[My family has] been very supportive, from when I brought up the idea they were very supportive and all throughout the process…and my friends think it’s really cool too, they’re reading the journals, and following along. So to them I would say, I really appreciate all the support from everybody following along and watching, because it is easy to sort of just tune out and keep going on with your life, but to keep checking in on what some group of kids are doing in some part of the country at any given time…I think it’s really cool for us to know that people are actually watching us and following along. 

Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?

It’s been a ton of fun riding with everybody, and it’s really been an incredible experience so far. I’m so excited to see where the summer takes us.

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