Hopkins 4K for Cancer

May 30, 2004

3 flats and a "hill"
This morning, we started off the day with a moment of silence. The ride was dedicated to Dan’s aunt, who has been a cancer survivor for 10 years.

Once we got rolling, Things didn’t work out too well for me. I had three flats within in a span of 1 mile! Good thing Sravi and Travis stuck with me and were there to help me out. After about an hour messing around with the tire, wheel, and tube, Dewey came to our rescue and replaced my front wheel with his. This setback did not stop us from reaching our goal as we caught up with the others. From this experience, I have learnt that teamwork is very important for the success of the whole group. Without Sravi, Travis, and Dewey, I probably wouldn’t have made it to Bedford at all.

The rolling hills and mountain climbs later on in the day were tough. Slowly, but surely, we all made our way up. We all stuck together and cheered each other on. Once we were up at the summit, we took lots of pictures. We were all filled with accomplishment. This accomplishment, however, soon broke down as we encountered the next big mountain. Last year’s 4k riders call it the ‘hell mountain.’ Just like any other mountain, we slowly made our way up. Our spirit seems as though it is synchronized with the ups and downs of the rolling hills. With persistence and optimism however, we learnt that anything can be accomplished. This is what we are riding for, and this is what the patients are fighting for.

- Brian Lee


The day started out with a bang and two pops. Roughly translated, this means three flats for the same poor bloke, Brian Lee. But he came back with a monumental effort, as both he and I heave-hoed up the mother of all molehills. I say this as we are not yet in the Appalachians, but these are the beginnings. Though we fondly dubbed it the“hellish hill”, the 4kers were up to the challenge and man did it feel good to stand at the top of this 3.5 mile climb, looking back and saying to yourself ‘I did that.’ Dewey and Lisa went above and beyond the call with a lunch donated courtesy of Subway Sandwiches and MacDonald’s. That hit the spot, but nothing compares to the luxury of the sumptuous women’s bathroom, within which all twenty five of us could have fit, and which a very nice local lady kindly let us use. Sheer bliss for the muscles. The Bedford Presbyterian Church is charming and fed us so well, I am sure I have extra padding for tomorrow’s ride.

- Monica Kaitz


Every day on this trip we meet knew people, spreading our message and fellowship. Today, at the top of the first big climb, we ran into a boy scout troop from Waynesboro who were just getting back from a canoeing trip. We swapped stories and they seeemd really interested in our ride. Maybe some of the boys will be future 4k riders.

Reaching hard climbs on the second day has definitely foreshadowed the difficulties ahead in the mountains. But as I ride I try to keep in mind that hard work now will pay off when the climbs get tougher later, and all the other riders are very encouraging. We are quickly becoming a tight knit unit, and when someone is overburdened, other riders try to pitch in to help spread the load.

Biking across the country is hard, but it is a ride in the park compared to dealing with cancer, or dealing with the illness of a loved one. A good friend of mine recently died of cancer, and I can’t imagine all the struggles and hardships that he and his family faced during his fight with cancer. Cancer took Joe Jarosch’s life too early and we will miss him. Riding in his memory is an honor and I hope that our efforts, and those of similar events, like Relay for Life, will help to raise funds and awareness to help fight the disease that claims the lives of so many of our friends and family.

- Ben Radel