From Austin to Alaska, organizers of the Texas 4000 for Cancer bike ride spent 18 months preparing for its 70-day trek across North America.
One of the three routes to Alaska stopped at Gainesville High School over the weekend to find a reprieve from the heat, restock on fuel and preserve the riders' energy.
Two dozen of the total 69 riders were greeted by Gainesville ISD spokeswoman Leslie Crutsinger and Gainesville's mayor Jim Goldsworthy and were fed in the school's cafeteria as they gathered their strength.
The "Rockies" trek is comprised of University of Texas students and one of them, Cindy Lee, just received her degree in nutrition.
"When I first heard about Texas 4000 and biking to Alaska to fight cancer, I knew that was something I wanted to do," Lee said. "After I graduated college, this was something I was so passionate about.
Before the Rockies set out for their ride in the morning, they get together and hold hands in what they call a dedication circle to speak about who they ride for.
Lee, is riding for her grandmother, or "Halmoni" in Korean, who passed away in 2012.
Patricipants in the Texas 4000 have three motivational pillars — hope, knowledge and charity.
Nayeon Kim rides for her father and for a friend named Micah who is battling breast cancer.
Gainesville represented just the fifth day of riding for the group, which will ride through Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana before crossing over to Canada.
They also have their sights set on seeing American and Canadian national parks including Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier and Banff.
Kim said the entire group was extremely appreciative of their host cities.
Lee said she has appreciated connecting with people at each stop and spreading their cancer message.
Two of the main challenges to Lee so far have been the warm weather and getting donations for food.
When Lee first started at college she heard about Texas 4000, but she was apprehensive.
Kim said she heard the first two weeks of the trip were tough, but felt she would adjust to it. The group finished its training in May, before riders were able to acclimate to summer heat.
Along with some extremely sore thighs, Kim said the struggles that come with a 70-day trek through North America are more easily conquered with a cause in mind.
Read the original article by Patrick Hayslip HERE.