Texas Students Pedal 4,000 Miles to Alaska: Cancer Awareness Ride Stops in Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas Twenty University of Texas students stopped over in Lubbock during their cycling journey from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska.

The group goes by the name Texas 4000. They aim to cover more than 4,000 miles on their journey to arrive at their ultimate destination. The primary objective of this endeavor is to generate funds and increase public knowledge about cancer.

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"We're cycling 4,500 miles from Austin, Texas, all the way up to Anchorage, Alaska, with the aim of raising funds and increasing awareness for cancer research," stated Cate Kratovil, who is one of the cyclists involved.

The Sierra Route Group was in Lubbock on Wednesday and Thursday, and on the sixth day out of 70 days, they departed for Clovis, New Mexico.

There are two additional groups; one will traverse the Rockies while the other navigates through the Ozarks. Each of these groups consists of roughly 20 students.

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"We're traveling all along the West Coast. Starting west from Texas, we'll head north to California,Oregon,Washington,and continue onward through Canada before reaching Anchorage," explained Claire Eastman,one of the participants in the ride.

The night before, they lodged at McPherson Cellars, an experience that held particular significance for one student as someone dear to her had been a devoted admirer of the winery.

“He was really into wines. When his children were studying at Tech, he visited this vineyard and later succumbed to Leukemia,” she explained.

During their journey, they will make stops at different host locations, with several being supported by graduates of the University of Texas.

Eastman mentioned that one of her most enjoyable aspects so far has been interacting with the individuals she encounters.

The aspect that brings me the greatest satisfaction is engaging with the community. I genuinely enjoy conversing with individuals and exchanging narratives. As our alumni often mention to us, every participant gets just one chance during the 70-night program to connect with the team. For me, this has been incredibly gratifying—savoring those experiences, finding joy, and sharing such memorable moments with others," Eastman stated.

Before setting off on their bicycles Thursday morning, the team performed a unique chant and discussed the reasons behind their participation.

"Grandparents, neighbors, and teachers impacted by cancer. It was important to me to honor them by carrying their memory and riding for them," Eastman stated.

They believe that through these actions, they might contribute significantly to the battle against cancer.

"We're not medical experts or those conducting rigorous research in the battle against cancer. However, we wish to contribute too, since cancer affects everyone," Kratovil stated.

The team from Sierra departed from Austin last Friday with plans to arrive in Anchorage, Alaska by July 25.

If you're looking for additional details about Texas 4000 and the adventures of these students, you can discover that here. here .

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