Hopkins 4K for Cancer

June 12, 2006

Jacksonville, IL
Clinton to Jacksonville 79 miles

Well it is 6.50 in the AM and for some unknown reason I am awake. I’m on a gym floor of the Clinton High School gym, and just like all the previous nights this is the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on. Wake up isn’t for another thirty minutes and usually I would still be sleeping till about noon (just ask my parents), but I guess my body is getting adjusted to getting up at the crack of dawn.

After gathering all my stuff, putting on that flattering spandex, and packing the van, it was time finally time to ride. Chris, Katie R., and myself set out on a blistering pace. We averaged about 20 m.p.h for the first 40 miles and skipped the first water stop because we felt so good.

After lunch we stopped at the Abe Lincoln tomb. It is an amazing site to see. After the lunch we decided to take it easier the second half of the day.Just a side note, I’ve never seen so much corn in my entire life. It is everywhere in this state. The directions were pretty simple today, go on this road and go 40 miles then make a right and go 39 miles. When we finally hit town it was a great change of scenery.

We didn’t know what to expect when we got there, but the town was amazing. When we reached Illinois College we were given the best greeting we have received yet. There were at least twenty people there waiting for us and cheering as we arrived. We ended up getting interviewed by the local TV station, Radio station, and Newspaper. It felt like we were celebrities. Everyone at Illinois College was so nice they had water and Gatorade for us and it was amazing talking to them and answering their questions. They let us stay in their amazing dorms with beds. No gym floor tonight for this guy. Also, they fed us a great meal of pasta, sandwiches, salads, and fruit. We can’t thank them enough.

Something I’ve found the most popular question is “Why are you biking across country?” Let me tell you, when you are on a bike for at least 5 hours a day you have a lot of time to think about different things so it is easy to come up with an answer. Because we can. We are riding because there are those that can’t and would love to be here. We are riding because we get to meet outstanding people and see our beautiful country. We are riding for each other, because as sad as it is, some of us may end up with this disease and we will be able to take from our experiences and the experiences of our fellow riders to draw strength from and make it through.

Derick Bosley