Local riders wanted for cross-country trek

Yesterday was my very first group ride! It’s scary but I want to do more. Before yesterday the most I’ve ridden with was a group of 3, including myself. (Actually, I’m a big chicken and until recently, preferred to ride on the trainer in front of the tv, doing spinervals—no cars to hit me in the basement. But the more I ride outside, the more confident I am. I’m working up to two things 1) Solo Ride--riding out in the country with out my boyfriend/bike mechanic/body guard 2) Group Ride--joining the local cycling club and going on group rides with them.)

There’s a group of U of Illinois students and recent grads riding across the country this summer to raise funds for cancer research. (Illini4000.org) I got to know them through my boyfriend who is one of their sponsors. The 4000 paused in Champaign-Urbana for a couple of days, then yesterday morning they headed West. We (Geoff and I) rode about 20 miles with them out of town and I wish we could have gone farther with them. We’re talking about meeting them in San Diego August 4th for their final leg of the trek. I hope this happens. Just in case I need to get out there and ride with more groups…

Anyway, the main reason for this post is to try to help support and generate interest for the illini4000 and their ride. They are asking/inviting local bikers and cycling groups to join them as they ride through their towns on the way to California. The route is posted on their web site, I think tonight they are in St Louis. They’ll be going through MO, KS, UT, CO, AZ, and finally CA. And you Coloradians—please take care of my dear young friends who have NO IDEA what they’re getting into! I don’t know if one can properly train for mountains in the flatlands of Illinois.

Thanks for reading!
Jillm