Over the Mountains and Through the Hills....

There is one day out of the year that every student looks forward to – the last day school so that summer vacation can start. Growing up summer is code for fun, playing outside, going to camp, visiting Grandma’s and doing whatever you feel like. In college, summer is code for something a little different. It means lazy days at the pool, sleeping in until noon, going downtown on a random Tuesday, visiting old friends, and maybe making some money. For two Spirits though, they geared up for something a little different then the things listed above. Fall ‘10 Weenie, Kelly Bahng, and Spring ’11 Weenie, Lane Follmar, set out on June 3^rd, 2011 as members of Texas 4000 for Cancer to ride their bikes from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK. They are joined by 45 other UT students and make up the 8^th team to make this journey. The trip is 4,687 miles and lasts 70 days. Prior to riding, both girls had to raise at least $4,500 which goes to benefit cancer research. They also trained, spoke to audiences about the importance of early detection and prevention, and provided hope to many.  As Kelly said in her blog, “Texas 4000, is a metaphor for those fighting cancer but it's also many other things. It's hope for those battling the disease; inspiration for others; and for the riders on the trip, it's also growth as a person and as a team.”

Lane and Kelly resting after riding across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA

 Kelly and Lane’s journey started in Austin, TX and hit many other big cities on the West Coast. They rode through Lubbock, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; part of the Grand Canyon, Arizona; Zion National Park, Utah; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. Today the girls leave Canada and cross over into Northway, Alaska. They have approximately 300 miles until Anchorage and just 5 more days. We couldn’t be more proud of their journey, the lives they’ve touched, and the impact they’re making.

Keep going girls; we’re rooting for you from Texas!

                  The girls utilizing their drag paint skills somewhere along the coast of Oregon.

Visit Texas4000.org (or see the links below) to read Kelly and Lane’s journals or view pictures from the trip. If you wish to donate, a link is also available on the website. And stayed tuned, next summer we will have 4 more Spirits: Katie Koehler and Leah Horsh, Fall ’09 Weenies, and Diana Johnson and Taylor Foreman, Spring ’10 Weenies, making the same trip and an incredible impact.

2011 LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 Spirits

Kelly’s profile & blog: http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10332

Lane’s profile & blog: http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10338

2012 LIVESTRONG Texas4000 Spirits

Katie’s profile & blog: http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10396

Leah’s profile & blog: http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10417

Diana’s profile & blog: http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10406

Taylor’s profile & blog: http://texas4000.org/user/profile/10412