From top to bottom, left to right: Ryan, Gibby, Willard, Rahul, Jacob, Sofie, Ellie / Andy, Sour, Aadi, Cam, Claire P., Brian / Marielle (me!), Kate, Maya, Bang. We did it!!!!
After a long, fun, and emotional night, we woke up early this morning to prepare for our very last ride as the 2021 I4k Bike America Team. Today’s ride was 44 miles from start to finish, from Petaluma to Crissy Field, San Francisco. Despite a few flats and some delays (Ryan ended up riding Claire N.’s bike— thank you, Claire!) we got to the North end of the bridge. Ellie’s parents offered to drive the van so that we could all ride (thank you!!) and we took photos together and with the 4K for Cancer cycling/running team, whom we happened to run into and who happened to also be crossing the bridge at the same time! Led by our MVP, Ellie, we then began the long and windy journey across the bay that finally brought us to the end.
Accidentally meeting up with 4K for Cancer!
With families, friends, cake, and some champagne, we celebrated. Then some of us packed the van with bikes, and as our teammates trickled away we hugged, cried, and promised to see one another again. Hours later, we’re all scattered throughout SF. I would go into more detail about the day, but it was a whirlwind of get-there’s and next-up’s before we suddenly found ourselves off with family or away to the airport. How funny it is that after 78 days and 4,900 miles together, we are suddenly plopped back into life apart from I4k. San Francisco is full of sights to see and food to eat, but it is a bit strange to not be preparing to ride tomorrow. To be having breakfast that’s not oatmeal, lunch that’s not PB&J, dinner that’s not spaghetti and lentils— and strangest of all, to be doing it alone.
Hello, hello!
But being alone gives me a lot of time to reflect upon all we’ve accomplished, and all the fun we’ve had. My gratitude for life has grown significantly, though even before the ride I was no pessimist by any means. Maya, in a thoughtful moment, said,
“When I’m going downhill, all I can think is, wow, my life is so wonderful and amazing."
I’m sure you understand why those moments are so memorable. It’s the satisfaction of hard work. It’s fun and exhilarating and a little bit out of your comfort zone. Like running into freezing cold Lake Erie, like cliff jumping, like deciding to cycle across the country with 17 other strangers. The things that leave you in awe when they happen, things that have you wanting more when they end. We are so lucky to share those memories as a team, and to know all the effort that went into creating them.
This team is so many incredible things. We’re like siblings and friends at the same time; a hilarious and loving group of people full of empathy, passion, and dedication (that sometimes gets on each other’s nerves.) We are also supporters, survivors, and advocates for the fight against cancer. Our individual experiences with cancer brought us together as a team, and became the base upon which we built our relationships. These past two and a half months have been amazing, and have had their fair share of tough days. But at the end of every argument, at the bottom of every joke, and at the base of every mountain, we’re all just so entirely grateful that we had the opportunity to change lives, and to do it in a way that grew our own appreciation for life.
Sometimes the bike carries us, sometimes we carry the bike
I wish I could write a whole post about every person on this team— I am so enamored with all of my teammates. But something I said to everyone on our last night was that they all embody the best part of people— of humanity. Some of us have a way with comforting words, and others a way with laughter. Some are the epitome of dedicated, or the model of trustworthy. This team exemplifies the best parts about having a support group, about having best friends, and the best parts about surrounding yourself with people who have the same passions. Even on the hardest of days, even when physical demands and mental strain reach their peak— we’ve had each other, our goals, and our mission. From hail to smoke to sunshine to sag: we were all ultimately there to support each other, and those who are fighting cancer.
SF!
We’ve raised over $50,000 for cancer research and patient support. In a year like this year, that’s pretty impressive. And it’s more necessary than ever, as those already in need of support pre-Covid were hit especially hard during the pandemic. I’m so grateful that we were able to gather resources and create a community in which strength can be found. Each and every one of the portraits we’ve done along the way has changed our outlook on life. More importantly, every portrait has the ability to change someone else’s life— someone who may find an essential bit of hope in a shared experience.
Many other cyclists on this path
In itself, this ride is quite a feat; I’ve detailed our adventures, mishaps, and highlighted our milestones as we traversed across the nation. But what we give and what we leave behind as alums is an achievement greater than any bike ride. Those living with cancer, and those in support, are accomplishing more than we can comprehend. It is our hope that through our own journey, we are able to aid them in theirs.
With that, I want to thank this team for supporting me in the blog, for taking and sharing awesome photos and giving me constant inspiration. For the laughter, the vulnerability, and the passion for making a difference. I love you!
Maya, Brian, Ellie, Rahul, Aadi, Willard, Claire P., Sofie, Gibby, Cam, Claire N., Ryan, Jacob, Bang, Kate, Sour, and Andy— tailwinds, tailwinds!
— Marielle Asensio
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The ride is over, but people could still use your support! Head over to our donation page to contribute, and stop by portraitsproject.org to see the stories we’ve curated over the years.