On the first ride when we held the portraits event and showing of "What People Do", we all came to the event well dressed and baring interesting facial tans of the days ride. Today, after a much longer ride, I have noticed some intense short and jersey tan lines - a prelude of the awesome ride and experience to come. It gives me a hint of whats in my future without letting me in on the stuff that matters, like the people I'll meet or the stories I'll hear. What a tease!
Hold fast to dreams!
I’m going to start this (SUPER LONG) post with a few lines from my favorite poem, “Dreams” by Langston Hughes:Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.I can remember the exact moment in time when I first read this poem. I was a junior in high school and even though I was in a hurry to finish my homework, those four lines stuck with me. But until I joined the Illini 4000, I was never able to fully grasp what those four lines actually meant. This organization was created by just a dream, a dream to raise funds for cancer research and a dream to document the American cancer experience. Over a period of just five years, supporters of this dream have helped us donate extremely large amounts of money to ACS and Camp Kesem, and they have also allowed us to record their stories for the Portraits Project. So if we can do all of that in just five years, imagine what we can do in the next five years if we allow our dreams to grow. I’m really excited to find out.I feel so fortunate to be able to ride with the Illini 4000 again. Seriously, it’s hard to eloquently express what it means to be able to do this ride again. The members of this year’s team are so committed to our cause, have great enthusiasm, and continue to raise the bar for future teams to come. I am particularly excited about the strides we can take with the Portraits Project this summer.On April 2, we had our first official training ride and a Portraits Project gallery exhibit. This ride was really special because so many I4K alumni joined us! The first half of the ride was smooth sailing—we had a tailwind all the way to Homer Lake. On our way back, we hit some Illinois “hills” and had a pretty strong headwind. This was a pretty tough ride and I am so proud of the new riders for staying positive!As for the Portraits exhibit, it’s hard for me to put into words what this exhibit means to me, the founders, the alumni, the current team, and our supporters. That whole night was a very beautiful experience for me and I am so happy that we shared the Portraits Project with so many people, 124 people to be exact! With the help of Mary Russell and members of the Portraits committee, this event was a huge success. We were able to show the original 2007 Portraits, along with one Portrait from each ride year so far (2008-2010). We also provided a cancer information presentation, along with some pamphlets from ACS.Throughout the night, I couldn’t help but think about one of the Portraits I did last summer with a few other ladies on the 2010 team. We were riding through Greencastle, Indiana, and all of us had to go to the bathroom so we decided to give a floral shop called Ambler Hill a try. I asked the woman behind the counter if we could use her bathroom, and she asked, “What are you riding for?” Before I could answer, she said, “You’re riding for me. I’m a breast cancer survivor.” That left all of us speechless. Not only did this woman, Karen Ambler, let 7 dirty and sweaty cyclists use her bathroom, she also shared her cancer experience with us. We ate a wonderful lunch (that was kindly donated to us) and rode the next 15 miles or so in silence because we were so amazed and inspired by this woman. It took a bee sting to break our silence!Last semester, myself and 3 other riders had some free time at the beginning of the year so we went to visit Karen. It was so surreal. We were driving a car on roads we could remember so clearly, but roads we probably would have never seen in our lifetime if we hadn’t decided to bike across the country. We walked in and Karen was just as friendly as the first time we met her. We told her who we were (we were dressed up and not dirty or sweaty, so she didn’t recognize us) and then we all started crying. It was such a great thing, to reconnect with a stranger that changed our lives. So in my opinion, that’s one of the beautiful things about the Portraits Project, you meet people that are willing to share their stories with you and those stories change your life for the better. They encourage you to be brave in the fight against cancer and to continue to pay it forward.There are still a few things I need to do to prepare for the ride this summer. I need some new bike shorts (don’t want to get a hole in my shorts like KTL… that’s anonymous enough, right? CPFL!), a better frame pump, and most importantly, some new cycling shoes. My current shoes have caused some toe problems. Today the mysterious case of my toe problems was resolved (I had 2 hematomas) by removing 1.5 of my toenails. Yikes. Haha. Sorry for anyone I’ve grossed out. But don’t worry, it was instant relief and really wasn’t too painful. Life lesson: if your toes look kind of funny and that funnyness doesn’t go away, get it checked out. But seriously, this life lesson relates to all health problems, not just toe ones. So I am going to do a better job of listening to my body in the future and I hope all of you do too. It’s important!We have our second training ride tomorrow and I’m so excited. I picked up some snacks and I am sipping on some Gatorade right now. I need to pump my tires and I really need to buy a new chain. I also need to sleep.Goodnight amazing supporters of the Illini 4000.P.S. Since Karen is a breast cancer survivor, I’m going to share some information about breast cancer. According to the ACS’ Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2010, “breast cancer screening has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. In the US, death rates from breast cancer in women have been declining since 1990, due in part to early detection by mammography screening and improvements in treatment. Currently, 60% of breast cancers are diagnosed at a localized stage, for which the five-year survival rate if 98%. Further reductions in breast cancer death rates are possible by improving regular use of mammography screening and providing timely access to high-quality follow-up treatment.”[http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/CancerPreventionEarlyDetectionFactsFigures/acs-cancer-prevention-early-detection-facts-figures-2010]So please listen to the ACS and to Karen: “You know, my daughter, I'm very concerned for her. Her doctor would not give her a mammogram until she was 40. I think this is something that needs to stop. People younger than you girls are coming down with breast cancer or some form of cancer. And they will find a cure to this, I'm sure they will. But until then, I cannot stress enough getting a mammogram.”
Preparation and Overcoming Fear
I finally have my bike on campus. It's an amazing feeling. Last week I went on the first training ride with the whole team. I was pretty nervous, but mostly excited. After all, I was the first person at Allen Hall, arriving at 8:25 am. We didn't leave until 10:15...haha. I loved riding. My thoughts flowed freely and my worries drifted away. Focusing on the person ahead of me and trying to remain aware of my surroundings (pothole!), I pushed ahead with my group. It was great when we got to ride two abreast and chit chat. On the way home I was leading against very strong headwinds. I saw this as preparation for the only harder conditions I will face this summer. Finishing the first training ride left me feeling accomplished and appreciative of past riders and terribly excited for the summer. 43 days are going to go by very quickly. Departing from New York is on my mind constantly. I can only imagine the adrenaline rush I will feel when I clip in for the first time of the summer.I am feeling so blessed to have this opportunity lately. I'd like to thank everyone for the support they have given me, family and friends alike. Thanks to my parents for coming out to the IMC event and of course for buying my bike and gear. (I'll pay you back when I'm making the big money later on! :P )There's no words to express how close this mission is to my heart. When I'm feeling tired out this summer, my Uncle Joe will come to mind and will keep me pressing onward. He has the greatest attitude in the world. He loves life and loves his family and loves his community and never fails to show it. I really hope to give back through doing this ride, for everything that I have been given in life. I feel like every day I find out that someone else I am connected to has cancer. My best friend's grandpa was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, they have caught it early and it is highly treatable. It's just sad. Cancer is like a plague. I don't think that I realized the true impact it has on a person and their family until recently. One day I hope that the Illini 4000 doesn't have to be about fighting cancer anymore. One day I hope that there's a cure, and we can move to fight a new battle.The Portraits Project exhibition was an amazing event. Good job to Mary and Gabrielle and everyone else who helped out with it. Watching the film was great too, I can't wait to meet such wonderful people. I also can't wait for all the life lessons I will learn this summer. And to continue to build the community that has already been built. And to become even closer friends with everyone on the 2011 team. We're already so close I feel. It's gonna be an amazing summer, I can tell.Training rides during the week have been eventful as well. Sean flew off his bike into a ditch, Gedion fell, Linsey Sean and I got lost and made up our own route (was that my fault?), Linsey got a flat (we were stuck trying to figure that out until miraculously Tracy showed up and helped us! then we called Jan to help us pump the new tube, thanks guys!!), and I think that's all the noteworthy things that happened haha.Well I'm off to sleep now since I have to be up in a little less than 7 hours. YAY, I'll really need to become a morning person. Good night and thanks for reading!
first falls, first flat
Last weekend we had a team training ride to homer lake. We played chicken on the roof at Homer Lake. It was a great ride besides the way back against strong headwinds. We were all starving and thirsty when we returned to campus so a group of us went to Joe’s for half of burgers. They were so delicious! Then it was time for the portraits project showing at IMC. My parents showed up for this. I really appreciate their support and everyone else’s it was a great turnout. Since then we have gone on a couple of rides. The highlight from the ride Tuesday morning was Sean tumbling into the ditch and being thrown from his bike. Oh and Kelsey’s cues that got us lost. Then there was thursday’s ride almost back from our country ride I got a flat. We started walking back and a miracle happened. We ran into Tracy, who did the ride in 2010, she showed us how to change a flat. Tomorrow we have our second team ride!
41 Miles, One Fall, Lost Keys, and a GIANT burger
Hellloooooooo! So this past Saturday we had our first all team ride. IT WAS AMAZING! We rode in small groups but joined forces at homer lake to play chicken on the coop. Chicken on the coop was fun as well – my competitive nature caused me to play dirty which lead to Linsey and I getting out hahahhaa. On the ride back we had 15 some miles of headwind. Hear it from me now: headwind SUCKS. It makes for a strenuous ride, chapped lips, and snot. Besides that I only fell once and it didn’t hurt! I started to get better at clipping in and there’s definitely improvement in my clipping out. At one point on the way back we made a stop and I lost my apt keys! Little did I know this until I got home (more on that later). Erik made an adjustment to my saddle and boiiiiiiiiiiiii did that help! My “lady part” no longer hurt!!! The only body part that became soar/over worked were my trapezes (the part of your body where your shoulders connect to your neck). This might be something to get used to or I might need to make another adjustment to my bike. The new buckle on my shoe worked out well and I had no problems there. I got a lot of practice at making call outs and I LOVE the command “rolling” for some reason hahaha.On the way back I was exhausted, the wind was tough, and I was HUNGRY. What kept me going? Ron and I described in detail the burgers we’d be having at joe’s after the ride – half priced burgers on Saturdays! Despite the fact that we like different things on our burgers hearing him talk about it with me drove me easily to the finish line. Ron also became my “bike-kickstand buddy”. We learned how to rest two bikes upright against each other. It’s kinda cool looking and semi-hard to do but we have a good system.When I got back from lunch I had one hour before our big portraits project so I sat down, took some deep breaths, and a friend of mine was in town so I saw her. Then it was off to our first EVER portraits showing.The portraits showing was truly awe inspiring. I felt so proud to be apart of I4K and helped to realign me with our cause. I was so tired during the event but I managed to keep my head up and feet moving. Turns out I got sun burnt on the ride! We took some real cute photos and it was nice to see everyone get so dressed up. I wanna say a big thank you to the Camp Kesem people who attended and my dear roomies who showed their support as well. It really meant a lot to me and to I4K that you were there. To all the family members that came – thank you for making the night that much more special.The next day my roomie Carly and I drove the Sat bike ride to try to find my keys. Long story short: we got TOTALLY lost but found the keys right as we were giving up cuz I was late to get back.All in all, the I4K weekend was amazing and has made me SO excited for this summer!Stay tuned,Ellieps. i came up with the best nick name for Gabrielle: MOMMA G and i wanna say how proud i am of her for Sat night. I know many people put in a lot of work, especially behind the scenes but i have some insight and i know how hard she worked. so shout out to MOMMA G!
I4K Alumni Weekend and Portraits Project Exhibition
This past weekend, the Illini 4000 hosted its second annual alumni weekend in Champaign-Urbana. As its alumni base grows, I4K continues to receive overwhelming support from past teams and leaders. Thank you to all alumni who attended. We truly missed everyone who couldn’t make it!The weekend kicked off the morning of Saturday, April 2, where the alumni joined the 2011 team for their first official training ride. The team arrived at Allen Hall at 9am for a safety review led by Team Development Director, Piyum Zonooz. By 10am, alumni from the 2007-2010 teams had shown up, greeted the new team, and taken a series of pictures.With the skies clear, the sun shining, and the wind at their backs, groups headed east in waves toward Homer Lake. After an easy 15 miles or so, the group took a break at Homer Lake and played “Chicken on the Roof,” a favorite game from the 2010 ride. The route back to Allen hall did not fare as well. The hills, added mileage, and brutal headwinds, however, provided excellent practice for the challenges the 2011 team will encounter this summer. The mileage clocked in around 37 and everyone made it back in one piece. After the ride, new and old riders alike indulged with some Mexican food.The true highlight of the weekend was the debut of the first Portraits Project Exhibition in the Champaign-Urbana area - also the largest and most formal viewing of any Portraits in Illini 4000 history. The event took place at 7:30pm at the Independent Media Center (IMC) in Urbana. In all, 124 people attended the event. The attendees consisted of four years of I4K alumni, the 2011 Bike America Team, friends, family, and community members.The event began with a welcome from current president, Conor Canaday. Canaday introduced Zachary Herrmann, director of “What People Do,” a documentary that was made during Illini 4000’s inaugural trek across the country in 2007. After a captive audience watched the film, Herrmann engaged in Q&A with the audience. The questions ranged in subject from the production process to Herrmann’s change in perspective years after making the film.Afterward, I4K co-founder, Jonathan Schlesinger, spoke about the early days of the Illini 4000 and the impetus for the Portraits Project. Schlesinger explained that he and others saw the ride as more than just a vehicle for raising funds; the ride was a way to connect with people all across the country who had been affected by cancer, in spite of the incredible diversity of American life and America’s landscape.Before formally unveiling the Portraits gallery to the public, Gabrielle Fairbairn, current Director of the Portraits Project and curator for this exhibition, gave a heartfelt thanks to all of those who made the event possible. Fairbairn then spoke about the vision for the gallery, which was set up in the adjoining sunroom at the IMC.In the center of the gallery hung the four original I4K Portraits that were created during the 2007 ride. These Portraits are historical, as they were the first physical manifestation of the stories and the people the Illini 4000 encountered during the inaugural ride. The 2007 Portraits were framed by one new Portrait from each additional ride year (2008-2010). Each Portrait on display consisted of a set of two pieces: a large portrait-style photograph, and accompanying words from the interviewee.In addition, the gallery featured four Portraits from current or former University of Illinois students. These Portraits are particularly relevant and meaningful because they were all taken and transcribed this school year by the entire 2011 team. The efforts of this year’s team, as well as special effort by the Portraits committee, had a direct impact on the creation of these Portraits. These particular Portraits also demonstrate that cancer is a disease that affects college students in our immediate community.The event was a true celebration for all current and past members of the Illini 4000 because all, in one way or another, have influenced this event and helped make it a reality. Happy Fifth Anniversary, I4K! Thank you.-The Illini 4000 Board of Directors*Special thanks to Ana Rynecki and Diana Luo for video-recording the entire weekend, and to Sean Laude, our official alumni weekend photographer. Thank you to Matt Harlan, for providing graphic design for our posters and promotional material.Please visit our gallery in the upcoming days, where you can view photos from this event.Featured PortraitsPat Voth, Hutchinson Kansas, 2007Pastor Ken, Pueblo, Colorado, 2007Brenda Emer, Kane, Pennsylvania, 2007Marcia Amaviska, Wickenburg, Arizona, 2007Jan and Merle Mulvaney, Washington, DC, 2008Richard McKinney, Hillsboro, Oregon, 2009Marissa Huddleston, Portland, Oregon, 2010Robert Pollett, Livingston, Illinois, 2011Abby Bott, Alton, Illinois, 2011Ruthvik Basavaraj, West Chicago, Illinois, 2011Steve Odon, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 2011 (2010 Bike America Team Member)
A Day of I4K
This past Saturday was a very concentrated dose of I4k, a synopsis of what is to come. We started the day with a 37 mile bike ride south to Lake Homer. It was alumni weekend, and there were basically as many alumni at the ride as there were current riders. Their love for this cause and each other was palpable. We, the newbs are still getting our feet wet, but we had a chance to see so many past riders show how much I4K means to them. This 37 mile ride was the longest of my short biking career. The first half of the ride was a breeze (pun intended), the wind pushing us faster from behind. Then came the hard part. Champaign hills, an oxymoran I know, and then riding back into the wind. Apprently these headwinds were pretty comparable to tough winds on the trip, except instead of facing them for 18 miles, we woud have them for 80 miles on some days...The next part of that very I4K day came the Portraits Event/Documentary Screening. The 40 min. documentary was awesome! Zach did a great job. By the end of the movie I just wanted to be in NYC, starting our trip. The next part of the evening was more powerful. The portraits on display really put what we were doing in perspective. The stories of the cancer fighters, relatives, and friends showed how personal and devastating this disease is. So much pain and heartbreak. Connor said it best after the screening of the movie, he said how excited and motivated he was to be apart of the Illini 4000. I am proud to be apart of this cause; fighting for those battling Cancer on a daily basis, one mile at a time.
First Training Ride
We had our first training ride last Saturday (4/2), and it was amazing. We all met at Allen Hall and it was such a sight to see so many alumni and 11' riders geared up for the upcoming ride. Everyone smiling, everyone talking and laughing, everyone working together for the same cause--truly inspirational. We went over routine safety material and headed out in groups.It was nice to finally get a taste of what I will be experiencing this summer. A glimpse of what I had been working for this whole year. There was so much positive energy in the air, and it put me in such a feel-good mood.After some I4k fun at Homer Lake, the real challenge set in. Wind. The winds were against us that day. Despite my years of cycling experience, these winds knocked me back to novice. What was the point in cycling in conditions there were clearly, and obviously against me? Why on earth had I decided to do this? I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the emotions of self-pity, low self esteem, and the desire to quit altogether. My sanity hurt more than my body. If I was alone, I would probably have gotten off my bike and called a cab. But because I was with a group, because these people were fighting the same struggle I was (and probably complaining a lot less then I was), I decided that giving up was unacceptable. If I let this defeat me, who knows what glorious moments I will miss because I didn't have enough strength to push through. I thought about the mission of I4K, and why these people do what they do. And I realized that we do what we do because we strive for betterment. I signed up for this knowing that the whole point in participating in I4k was to put the well being of others before my own. And while I struggle for 36.5 miles, others are facing harder challenges almost everyday. This was just not the time nor the place to be selfish.I know this all sounds very dramatic, but the hardest moments of my life have produced the most epiphanic enlightenment. Completing this ride was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I have had this semester, and I now kinda know what to expect this summer. Making it to the end, hearing the cheers of my group and of the other team mates, and seeing the alumni and board members that did this strenuous activity, not because they had to, but because they WANTED to, made it all worth it.Yep, this summer is pretty much, without a doubt, going to be really, awesomely amazing.Rachel Samaniego
Post Numero Dos!
Why hello there! Blog number two and where to begin?!? The count down is now 51 days til take off. HOLY MOLY! Since my last update I have purchased a bike – the Trek Lexa SLX (it’s pretty lettme tell ya). On Wednesday I went on my first actual ride on my bike which was SO EXCITING. Six other I4K’ers and I went 21 miles. I fell four times no worries I’m in one piece. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for one of my brand new bike shoes. On my fourth fall the clip broke apart from the shoe! So tomorrow I have to take the shoes to Champaign Cycle and see what they can do. Saturday the whole team is going on a 37 mile ride!What was that? Oh you want details about my first ride? Well, I bundled up a lot and found that underarmor is amazing! I mean, I guess I knew this before but it’s truly breathable and keeps your body at just the right temp. I found that my hands were a tad bothersome but this can be fixed with a minor bike-handlebar adjustment. Also my (as I referred to it on the ride) lady-part was in some pain but it’s to be expected I guess and I will get used to it is what I am told. My falls were not while I was in motion but when I was standing still. Sounds silly right? But you have no idea – clip in pedal/shoes are CRAZY! It takes me forever to clip in and clipping out is really hard to do while you are falling hahahaha. All falls were when I had one foot clipped in and one out standing on ground, I would lean to the other side – only slightly – and then BAM! I’m on the ground. So I got my first few bruises and cuts but I still LOVED the experience. I also managed to get a gnat stuck on my tooth so at least my sunglasses protected my eyes!On Saturday night after the ride it’s the event to showcase some portraits and the documentary “What People Do”! I’m so pumped for that and wanna mention that Gabrielle, Mary, and the Portraits Committee have really really worked hard so EVERYONE SHOULD DEF COME! It’s going to be an amazing time and plus don’t ya wanna see me in person to make sure I’m still standing after 37 MILES?!?! Ok well now I must run (not literally cuz it’s midnight thirty),Ellie
Family is cool. And so are friends. And same with strangers.
So although this is my first post and I would love to go into detail about everything I4K related, a project due at 8 a.m. tomorrow and a Chemistry exam Wednesday night will prevent me from doing so. However, I would just like to state how absolutely cool it is when your family, your friends, and when total strangers are so overwhelmingly supportive with your endeavors, which I've seen firsthand through all of the donations I've received for this summer trek. I feel so indebted to everyone helping make this possible for me, and hopefully they realize how much of an impact they're having on me and how grateful I am. So to all of the donators, in short: Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
My First Thoughts
After bringing home my new road bike this week, the reality of this whole experience has started to hit. I'm filled with a mix of excitement and nerves at the thought of what this summer has in store, and the only thing that seems to help ease my mind is to take my bike out for a nice long ride. Never before have I owned a road bike, and despite this fact, being on my new bike I could not feel more at home. While it's still a bit colder than I would have hoped this spring break, I have gotten the opportunity to ride around some of my favorite places in my hometown and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately over the past week, I found out that one of my friend’s parents has been diagnosed with lung cancer, and hearing this news has helped reassure me that I am doing the right thing. It feels wonderful to be a part of an organization like the Illini 4000 for Cancer, which is truly making a difference in other’s lives. I am ready to take my new cycling gear and put it to action as I join the rest of the team back in Chambana shortly after break. It will be exciting to experience our first ride together as a team and I will surely be blogging about the experience next week.
my first post
I would like to thank all my family, family friends, and the rotary clubs of Matteson and Homewood for all their support and generous donations. I would also like to thank my parents for all the money they have spent on my bike and equipment for this summer.It has been really great getting to know everyone on the team at team trainings and other events. Jan, Manny, and I decided to ride bikes home from Champaign for spring break. I had never rode more than 30 miles on a bike so I was surprised I actually made it 83 miles. This made me a little less nervous for the summer. When we weren’t going east into the wind it was a fun ride and great bonding experience. I'm excited for team training rides to begin when we get back from spring break. I can’t wait to spend my whole summer with this amazing team. Only 2 more months until we are on our way across the country!This week my friend Lisa is going through treatments please keep her in your prayers.
First Post!
Hello all!So I'll be honest, it's 1:30 am and I decided to post to procrastinate studying for my test that I have at 10am. I just wanted to get my inaugural post out of the way. So here it is.I first off want to thank everyone who has helped us along the way. Even just looking at our awesome website gives us more strength to continue fighting for the cure. I also want to thank all of the gracious people who donated to me. Without your help this ride and this organization wouldn't exist.My fundraising efforts have garnered better results than I could have imagined. I went about my fundraising by writing a personal letter attached with a Info and Donation form and an envelope with a stamp addressed to the Illini 4000. I sent out 106 of these letters to family, friends, old teachers, etc., and the response was amazing! You guys rock!I am so thoroughly excited about this trip. I know that I will look back on my life someday and say that this cross country trek will definitely be one of the highlights. I also cannot wait to spend the summer with these awesome people. It is great and very powerful to see people of so many different backgrounds come together for a common goal.I also am ecstatic to get back into shape! And with spring break looming, it is the absolute perfect time. I've been trying to work out 6-7 days a week but with two jobs, 17 hours of class, and a social life to balance I haven't always gone. Regardless, I feel like I'm in the equivalent shape I was when I played football and ran track in high school which is just a great feeling. I have just purchased my bike and all I need to do is go get it when I go home for break and I'll be ready to ride! It is a Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5. Here is a link here (I'm getting the black one): http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road/performance-road/synapse/2011-synapse-alloy-5-105-16587 Needless to say, she and I will become pretty good friends after this is all said and done. I haven't named her yet but I'm open to suggestions.Well I should probably be getting back to the books. I really hope this finds you well and that there are people out there who don't like cancer and are willing to do something about it!-Sean
Thank You, OLMC School!
The Illini 4000 Board of Directors would like to thank Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (OLMC) for supporting our mission during Catholic Schools Week. During the week, OLMC chose to support cancer research and awareness and fundraise on our behalf.On January 30, three Illini 4000 representatives - Conor Canaday, Mary Russell and Kelsey Lyles - travelled to Southern Illinois to speak at OLMC during their kickoff assembly for Catholic Schools week.The fundraiser was held in honor of those in the OLMC community who have been affected by cancer. This includes 2011 rider Kelsey Lyles’s uncle, Joe Maeser, who is currently fighting colon cancer.OLMC raised over $3000 for the Illini 4000. We thank you for all your support!
First Post!
Hello Hello,So this is my first blog and I hope to really good about keeping this thing. Currently, it is 88 days til take off and boy is time flying by! This semester is going by so fast and I feel like if I blink I’ll be on the train to NYC. Yet in that blink I still have to buy a bike (I’ve narrowed it down to two), graduate (yanno no biggie), and fundraise a little more. I would like to take a quick second to thank everyone who has donated to this cause from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea how much it means to me and the future of cancer (or should I say lack of it?).Right now it’s midterms so my brain is focused on my classes. It’s hard for me to get to the gym everyday but I am doing my best! I have started to follow the I4K manual about training which means 5-10 mile bike rides keeping my RPM in between 60-70 (yup I know “bike talk” as my mom likes to call it). I also lift to build muscles in my legs and arms. I tell my roommates that my arms are becoming too illegal even for a gun show hahahha.The team is amazing. I’ve met some really cool people and I cannot tell you how excited we all are for this summer. We just got fitted for our jerseys which took me and Linsey forever! I ended up ordering a men’s extra-small – don’t even get me started, just trust me it’ll fit. I also got to transcribe a little bit of a portrait! There is going to be an event to showcase some portraits and the documentary “What People Do” on April 2nd.Well that’s all for now folks – school work is calling my name,Ellie
First ride with some new friends
Almost getting stranded out in corn fields was quite a first ride. At least the three of us got back before the sun completely set and our hands froze over. It was a good lesson for the next ride.
Save the Date: April 2nd
April 2nd will mark our second annual Alumni Weekend, and will also feature the unveiling of the Portraits Project Gallery and a showing of "What People Do".Events begin at 10am, where alumni riders are encouraged ride with the 2011 team in their very first training ride out to Homer Lake. Following the ride, current and former riders are encouraged to get lunch together at one of Champaign Urbana's fine dining establishments.Later in the evening, the Illini 4000 will host a showing of "What People Do", the documentary about the very first Illini 4000 team, their experiences, and the people they met across the country. The showing begin at 7:30pm at the Urbana Champaign Independant Media Center. Following the showing will be a Q&A with the film's director Zach Hermann. Also following the showing will be the unveiling of the Portraits Project Gallery in the IMC's gallery area. This will be the first ever semi-permanent installment of the Portraits Project Gallery, and will feature Portraits collected from our most recent cross-country journey.All family members, friends, and general members of the community are encouraged to come out to this momentous occasion for our organization.
Rode 10 Miles East and Back Before Dusk
There we were, Anthony, Louis, and me (Cristian), stranded at the intersection of 1500W and 200N with a half broken plastic pump converter--10 miles from campus. Anthony's front wheel had been giving him problems and, so, we decided to inspect the problem. There was a boarded up shack/farm in the distance and, since it gave me the creeps, the sooner we could get out of there the better.We finally managed to refill Anthony's front tire with a combined effort of the three of us. Thank God Louis brought two water bottles, a pump, a speedometer, and biking knowledge! Soon enough, we learned putting one's hand on one's back meant "stopping" and "car up" and "car down" meant "watch out for the car!"I, on the other hand, was well under what would have been even considered somewhat prepared. I had a sweater and regular gym shorts, no helmet (witch I know is a terrible idea), and a single speed bike. Despite these circumstances, I was well prepared to put in the extra effort when trying to keep up with Anthony and Louis' new Fuji bikes. Fortunately, Anthony's front tire seemed to not deflate anymore and Louis will soon invest in a metal converter for future tire problems.Today's 20 miles were great, but, its even greater knowing all of the many more miles I'll have to ride with this great group of people.Cristian.
2011 Team Photo
Please welcome your 2011 Bike American Team.Back Row: Greg Bopp, Connor Ramsey, Jan Wieczorek, Marc Maybaum, Gedion Amesias, Katie Lindsay, David Walder, Emmanuel Camacho, Yang Song, Dory QuinlanMiddle Row: Gabrielle Fairbairn, Louis Ramirez, Julie Kim, Rachel Samaniego, Kelsey Lyles, Maggie Marek, Divya Nagpal, Lauren WintersFront Row: Anthony Ho, Christian Garcia, Manwen Guo, Lindsay Rock, Ellie SpitzNot Pictured: Josh Doppelt, Sean Madison, Lee Replogle, Christine Santos, Ron Tisdale
Activity Day 2011
On Tuesday, Jaunary 25, the Illini Union will host Activity Day in rooms A, B, C and the South Lounge from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Stop by our booth to learn more about I4K and how you can get involved. We are looking for committed individuals to become a part of our organization - as committee members for the Portraits Project, as future riders and more! It's never too early or too late to get involved. If you're interested in riding for summer 2012, get a head start and come talk to us. See you there!