Day 4 - We had a rest day in Dallas. However, the schedule for the day was quite intense.

6:30am - Wake up and breakfast

8:30am - Give a presentation to Liberty Junior High

11am - Team lunch at a very nice park

1 - 4pm - Tour of UT Southwestern medical facility

6-9pm - Texas 4000 Happy Hour Fundraiser at Renfield's Corner

9:30 - Team fajita dinner at guest house

As you can tell, it was not a day of catching up on sleep (which seems like it will never happen this summer)

The support was amazing all day long, but I enjoyed the Junior High visit the most. After our presentation we did our usual pitch of asking people to come down and sign our ride-dedication banners. We ask them to put down people they have had in their life touched by cancer and we will carry that banner and people with us to Alaska. The amount of young kids from 11yrs old to 14yrs old that came down was breathtaking. Their stories were all the fuel I will need to get to Alaska. One example was a young boy who told me to ride for his dad who lost his battle with Brain Cancer. I told him that he could do anything in his life and his dad will always be there to back him up. One story he told me was for his 10th birthday the only thing he asked for was money. His family and friends were very generous and gave him a lot of funds. He did not buy the newest, coolest, and highly-demanded toy on the block. Instead, he donated the whole amount to the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Incredible.

I could go on and on about each kid, but I can tell you the gratification I got out of motivating the future of our society was more than words can compare. I am very fortunate to have grown up with both of my parents.

Our tour of UT Southwestern involved getting private access to science labs where the most recent and innovative cancer-fighting technologies are being created and tested. It was amazing to see that our fundraising is going to similar initiatives to progress the treatment of the non-discriminating killer. The particular lab we were in focused on Leukhemia and Lung Cancer.

Day 5 - I just pulled into Lindsay TX. We are staying at the 1A highschool. The principal Phil is amazing and has offered his whole gym to us for temporary headquarters. I am typing this from a coaches office which feels a little wierd. Although, as a coach of the team, it does kind of feel appropriate. We will be having a pizza buffet tonight, clean our bikes after the rain today, go to sleep around 10:30pm, wake up at 5am, and prepare ourselves for Oklahoma. Some fellow riders and I have a huge UT flag to take pictures next to as many OK signs as possible. Border race tomorrow morning should be fun.

Texas > Oklahoma

We > Cancer

Waiting for some cooler weather,

John