I am an English Senior from Houston, Texas. Iâ??ve been riding bikes since I was a kid, but I started riding in actual group rides in 1995, with my first MS150. That sticker still adorns the handlebars of the mountain bike plugger I rode it on. Iâ??ve been on many rides since that one, but Iâ??ve ridden the MS150 every year since. I also ride horses, and enjoy packing and camping. Iâ??ve met so many wonderful and fun people here at UT, and I really enjoy a challenge, so I knew that the Texas 4000 was for me the moment I saw the poster for it. Cycling is such a joyful sport in my opinion because it is a combination of both team effort and individual experience â?? ten bikers will tell you ten different things about why exactly they adore what they do, yet everyone works as a group towards the end of the day and the goal of finishing together.

Fundraising for research and treatment money is important for the battles that everyday people are forced to wage against a variety of diseases on a daily basis. Cancer is, to me, the foremost in the line-up of these predators that requires both public attention and funding on a continuing and increasing basis. As other top killers such as heart disease are becoming increasingly preventable and treatable through diet, exercise, awareness of genetic predisposition, and medicine, Cancer is quickly becoming the top killer of Americans under 85. I believe that people need to be reminded that finding a cure for cancer should be a priority, and that proper medical evaluation on a regular basis, especially for women in the form of breast exams and gynaecological exams can help to lesson the death toll of this disease, and hopefully one day eliminate it altogether. As a challenge, talk to a group of friends, or colleagues about cancer. Youâ??ll be surprised how many of them, no matter what age, will have personal experiences with cancer â?? either having been a victim of it, at risk for it, or know a family member or friend who has. For so many Americans, this fight is intensely personal, and activities such as bike rides increase visibility, raise money, raise spirits, raise hopes. Like so many riders whoâ??ve pledged their money and time and sweat, we ride for those who canâ??t, in hopes that someday there wonâ??t be any more people who canâ??t ride with us.