I keep trying to think of what I'm going to tell my family and friends when I come home on August 2nd or 3rd or whenever, and they ask me how everything went. I thought it would be New York City. My parents were there when I left; they drove in on Saturday and got up at God knows when in the morning to see us off from Central Park. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) This was my first time in New York City and I loved it, and thought it would without a doubt be my favorite city on the map. Surely, when people asked me about this summer I would tell them about NYC. Then came New Jersey. Its quaint city blocks and corner delis made me feel like I was riding through the set of The Sopranos, seriously. I loved the homey, unique feeling it had about itself. Only a few miles away from the Washington Bridge and all of Manhattan, New Jersey felt like a place in its own world, keeping true to its own historic identity. The 67 miles into our first stay over in Hillsborough were not all that bad. The only thing to worry about were quick-approaching red lights and NYC taxi cabs, nothing too bad.In Hillsborough, we stayed with Harsh and Rita Thakkar, parents of 2007 rider and Illini 4000 founder Anish Thakkar. The Thakkar's were proud of the riders of the Illini 4000's 5th ride, welcoming us into their homes (as they have for each summer's riders) with signs and decked out in I4K gear, with an awesome dinner that I4K President Conor Canaday said would be the best stay over dinner we'd have this summer. After dinner, Mr. Thakkar gave a short speech to us, describing the seed his son planted with the Illini 4000 almost five years ago, and how that first step to organize a group of students crazy enough to ride their bikes for an entire summer generated a ripple effect that has gotten bigger every year, raising in total over $300,000 (with the 2011 team raising almost $120,000 alone!). This ripple effect, though seemingly small, grows and grows, effecting countless people and inspiring others to do the same. His talk was inspirational and full of wisdom, and it made for a perfect end to our first day. So maybe I'll tell them about New Jersey...After our 82 mile ride into Philadelphia on day 2, I can only think of two things to say: First off: I absolutely hate hills, and will look at them in a totally new light after today, and secondly: Pennsylvania is b-e-a-utiful. The pain of the constant grind up and down the rolling meadows of the state was only lessened by the scenery surrounding it: lush green grasses and trees so ubiquitous you'd think you're on a different planet, and friendly, European looking towns tucked away inside of them. As we rode, we pointed out the coolest looking houses and periodically discussed how fun it would be to live in area like this, before we cut the chatter to down shift and prepare for the next big hill. I think Pennsylvania will make for a good story, too.