I'm a first year graduate student in EE. Born in China, I came to America when I was 19 for college. After finishing my double degrees in EE and Pure Mathematics (Yes, nerdy indeed), I decided to stay in school for another 2 years just to strengthen my nerdiness.

Deprived of the privilege of driving cars before college in China, I've become quite proficient in bicycle-riding as the only viable way of taking girls out. Now I think it's time to utilize this riding skill into something that's helpful to others. :p

I met the founder of Texas 4000 Chris Condit and Summer 05 cyclist Robert Grant in one of our EE classes. I thought of these two fellows as no more than typical EE nerds until I found out their ¡°cool¡± side one day from Texas 4000 website.

At first, I just thought it would be a great idea to travel across the continent on bike so that I could have plenty of adventurous stories to tell my grandkids later in life. After thinking the whole thing through, I realized how much cancer has affected and is affecting my life and people around me. Several of my closest relatives either have passed away due to cancer or are suffering from cancer, including my dearest grandma and my favourite aunt. So my fantasy of becoming a heroic grandpa aside, this ride is dedicated to them.

I spent my past few summers in school either taking classes or doing academic research. It would be worthwhile to spend one of my last few summers in school doing something meaningful and beneficial to other people as well as to myself and I believe Texas 4000 is the ideal choice.