Profile

About: Raised, but not born in Nelson County Virginia I had the opportunity to grow and develop nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, where I discovered my love of nature and the outdoors. However, I got my taste of city life in Houston when I lived with my father and Step Mom during the gruellingly hot summers. I am one of the six in the 'wild bunch' as my Dad refers to all of us. I rowed for a couple of years at UT. I have a deep fascination with Latin America its poverty and weak development. I spent one summer living without electricity or running water with a family of 8 in Honduras where I got to catch a glimpse of deep poverty, chaotic government and beauty. I spent last spring studying in Argentina learning about their outdoors, beautiful language, politics and people. I am interested in foreign policy issues and therefore study Government and Latin American Studies here at the University and plan to graduate in May 2005.

Why I Ride

I cannot say that I have ever experienced personal anguish from this disease we call cancer. I have heard the thousands of stories and know of many friends who have experienced that deep pain of the loss of a loved one. I hope I never have to hate cancer as much as those who know it too closely. I cringe at those ads on T.V. of the bald children confined to their hospital beds by their tubes and IV's. It sucks and it's sad. Why in this day where we can be in the U.S. one day and the very next be in Antarctica can we not conquer cancer? For me, Texas 4000 is about living life. Not many people get to ride a bike all summer and experience all that the U.S. has to offer in nature so personally. Texas 4000 is another opportunity to fill my life with great adventure and live to the fullest while I am healthy and able. Not only do I get to be satisfied with the pleasure (and pain) of riding but I get to feel good about serving the world by raising funds for those people unable to get out of their hospital beds and ride. They can't but I can and I should.