Hello followers of all things Illini 4000,Today saw the 2012 Illini 4000 bike team kick off their summer journey in the middle of New York City's beautiful Central Park. The team rode through the bustling streets of New York to the famous George Washington bridge and took in the sights of New York and New Jersey as they rode on to a whole new state. Many diverse and exciting towns and neighboorhoods, such as Lodi, Newark, and Perth, were ridden through as the 2012 riders navigated through the busy streets of New Jersey.Along the way, the team broke for lunch in a small New Jersey town called Lyndon. As the team ate, several members were approached by a local homeless man, and they began to explain the details of what the I4K is all about. It was this man, Clinton Kelley, that provided the team with its first opportunity to conduct a portrait during the trip. He told the inspiring tale of his life, which has been marked with hardships; one of those hardships was colon cancer. This provided those involved in the interview with a new look into the way cancer impacts diverse people across America.The team ended its 68 mile ride in the town of North Brunswick, New Jersey, where they were warmly greeted and welcomed by the wonderful Thakkar and Sangankar families. They prepared an array of amazing food for the team. Upon its arrival, the team also made an apperance on a local news network to share the inspiring story of the Illini 4000. HUGE thanks to the Thakkar and Sangankar families for providing the team with an incredible place to stay for the night. Next time you hear from us, we'll be in Philadelphia!Until then, thanks for reading!The Illini 4000