Today was our off day. But not really. Each person rode between 65 and 75 miles depending on how many wrong terms they took. Luckily we have all arrived safe and sound to a warm Texas Exes reception hosted by Tom Ames. Big thanks goes out to him. He's been really great.

I could spend a significant amount of time discussing the details of our last two days (in Lancaster and Fort Worth) but in the short time I have access to a computer I would like to mention two things that moved me.

1) This morning I was speaking to a survivor of cancer and hearing her story really inspired me to pursue a career in cancer related research. I am a biochemistry major and have been lacking direction. I came away from our conversation motivated not only to complete this journey and inspire others but to continue the fight long after our journey is over. I was still processing our conversation when we rode away through a beautiful country rode and through an equally beautiful graveyard which spaned across both side of our path. I thought to myself "10000 people die of cancer every year. I'll be a lot of those graves hold cancer victims". We have a long way to go, but those who have survived are living proof that we can win the fight. And I feel obligation as a member of my generation to make that fight my own.

2) We received food donations and discounts today from CVC and Wal-Mart. As I was standing in line to accept such generousity I was approached by a boy of about 8 or 9 years of age. "Are you really riding your bike to Alaka???" he asked. I told him that I was, and that it was a very long way, but that I could do it because I wanted to help fight cancer. And he turned to his mother and said "Mommy, can I have a bike?" and then "What's cancer?" So much of this trip is about recruiting people in the fight and raising awareness. To me, events like this are small victories.

There's no where I'd rather be then riding my bike to Alaska, meeting the people of America (and Canada soon!), and inspiring others to step up and make a difference.