Our ride to Fort Morgan was pretty fun, I remember getting in early and taking a nice nap on the basement floor of the Calvary Baptist Church. From Fort Morgan, we rode to Denver, CO. My ride to Denver was very memorable. Within 30 miles we saw for the first time The Rocky Mountains in the distance as we approached Denver city, and ultimately rode into the heart of Denver.

We stayed at the Central Presbyterian Church with alumni who had flown in for the 4^th of July weekend that day. Seeing the alumni from training day was very exciting for us, because we finally had a mutual understanding of the entire 4k experience. We could finally just look at each other and laugh.

Our ride from Denver to Boulder began in a local park, with Team San Francisco meeting up with us. It was a big day for all of us because we were riding with Team San Fran and the Alumni who came to visit, into the most anticipated town on the trip. I remember riding with Allie Harvey and Dana Rampulla (Alumni). It was nice to see that Team San Fran was doing well despite their reroute due to forest fires in Colorado Springs.

Dana Rampulla rides in front.

As we approached Boulder, we began to encounter more bike lanes and paths than we could ever imagine! We were truly in cycling paradise! Riding as a group into town was very exciting, we saw many cyclists out and about either for their commute or for their own pleasure. Our host was St. John’s Church on Pine Street, right in the heart of Downtown Boulder. Upon arrival, we opened our mail drop packages like kids on Christmas morning. I received a wonderful package from a home stay host in Watseka, IL. Carol and Doug Clark, thank you! I loved the cinnamon sugar almonds and you remembered!

Our rest day was very productive due to our carwash in support of Jacob Grecco, an 8 year old boy who is the pedal pal of Chey Hillsgrove. We raised nearly $800 in just a couple hours as we washed cars, semi-trucks, bikes, and even some dogs. (Our team has developed a love for dogs, so much so that we have considered getting a Team Portland dog.) Ahem, anyways, back to the rest day…that night we packed the vans in preparation for our long ride to Laramie, WY.

Our ride to Laramie began with a beautiful morning. Our group was flying! I remember riding with Christine, Eric, and Andrea. At about mile 75, we encountered a huge storm system with heavy rain. When the lightning began we decided to seek shelter in a barn we saw down a long gravel driveway. Once the rain stopped it was so late in the day that we had to shuttle riders to the host, so we could ensure we would make it in time for showers and dinner.

The ride from Laramie to Saratoga was stunning! We climbed the Snowy Range Pass, a challenging 2800+ ft climb from 8000ft. I distinctly remember the downhill being long and grueling. About a quarter of the way down it began to rain and get quite chilly. I didn’t have my rain gear on at the time because the rain was unexpected. I quickly ate thru my rear brakes on the downhill as I forced myself to pedal in intervals to stay warm. Every 100 yds or so, I jammed on my brakes to slow from 35 mph to around 20 mph, then pedaled as hard as I could to keep the blood pumping!

Me posing in front of beautiful 'Mirror Lake' on the downhill of Snowy Range Pass.

Wyoming as a whole was beautiful and magnificent in size, with landscapes and mountains that boggled the imagination. Our last town in Wyoming was Jackson Hole, with amazing views of The Grand Tetons as we conquered the Togwotee Pass. We spent two rest days exploring The Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Ride to Jackson Hole, WY with our first glimpse of The Grand Tetons. Yoshi and Jasper ride in front.

Posing in front of the Tetons at our Lunch Stop. About 20 miles outside of Jackson Hole, WY. I look tired, but all is well! Jasper, Yoshi, and I finished strong with a blazing 24mph paceline on the bike path int0 Jackson. It was a blast!

We left the town of Jackson by climbing The Teton Pass, and riding over 70 miles afterward to Idaho Falls. I will never forget the downhill on the Teton Pass, I hit well over 45 mph without pedaling on very tight switchbacks, while yelling things like “YEAH BUDDY!!!” (a common saying of Brad) and “WOOOOO!!!!!!” all the way down.

An always cheery Matt just a few feet from the top of The Teton Pass.

Our stay in Idaho Falls and Blackfoot were both wonderful, with amazing dinner’s and breakfasts by both our hosts. We appreciate good food so much! My ride to Blackfoot was with Brad and Jasper, we achieved a 21 mph average and bike 28 miles in just 1 hr and 21 mins. It was challenging but also very rewarding to know that I have attained enough biking skill and endurance to (barely) keep up with some of the strongest riders on the team.

Today I am enjoying a wonderful rest day in American Falls, ID. There are only 17 days left on the 4K, I am so excited to reach the coast, but I am also realizing that I will greatly miss many of my team mates who I have grown so close to over the past 50 days. I just burped in a public library, confirming that I have forgotten about life and manners beyond the 4k. Coming back from this experience will be quite an adjustment.

My bike, "Patricia", posing in front of the Idaho sign.

The communities we have met so far have been more than willing to provide above and beyond our expectations. Today, Sophie and I walked into an Arby’s in McCook, NE and asked for a donation. Within 5 seconds, the manager agreed to create 27 bagged lunches for our team. We left that Arby’s with a big smile. The feeling of receiving a donation like this excites us and makes me appreciate that for the most part, all people have good intentions.

Throughout the state of Nebraska, we have had the pleasure of very involved hosts and communities. When we enter a community, we feel welcomed, and most importantly we feel that our cause is greatly supported.

Our first day in Nebraska involved a two night stay in Omaha. We had the pleasure of home stays organized by The Saint Margaret Mary Church. Matt, Yoshi, and I stayed in the home of Nancy Neary. I felt so comfortable in her home that I didn’t want to leave! It was nice to have a comfortable bed and shower. Omaha is a beautiful city with a happening night life and growing business district. Nancy told us all about the five major Fortune 500 companies in Omaha including Berkshire Hathaway, the company owned by Warren Buffett. We even drove by Mr. Buffett’s home, which was surprisingly unsecured and low key for such a wealthy individual. His home is a testament to the mentality he has spread among the people of Omaha, where it is now a statement for the wealthy to (be modest with their money) not spend their money on monstrous homes and expensive cars.

Upon leaving the town of Omaha, we arrived in Lincoln where we enjoyed the local college town atmosphere. We stayed at the University’s Lutheran Church, which allowed us to utilize their space. For dinner, we had Five Guys Burgers and Fries! I had a chance to catch up on our Ride Summary and finance documentation at the local Starbucks in town. We’ve all become coffee addicted…

Our next stay was in Fairbury, NE at the Grace Lutheran Church. Upon arrival we were welcomed with cookies, lemonade, and a well air conditioned church. We shared an amazing dinner that night with our hosts. I remember taking many enjoyable naps that day.

Our day from Fairbury to Franklin began early as we attempted to avoid the heat. At around mile 60, we decided to begin shuttling groups from the back as the temperature reached as high as 115 degrees. While waiting for the van to get us, our group stopped at a very nice great grandmothers home. She said that every year, the bikers come and ask to sit under her tree in her yard. She offered her air conditioned home and a cold drink for us. We were all so happy to just be out of the heat. Ten minutes later, I fell asleep on the floor of her living room. I was so exhausted from the heat! I think I am becoming one of the “napaholics” of the team.

Our ride into Arapahoe was short and very enjoyable. We began early to once again beat the heat, my group arrived at 11am which was great because we had time to prepare our own lunch. Ami and I setup a spread for the team which included a lot of bread (we’ve somehow ended up with a lot of bread products in the last week). Later in the afternoon, we explored the town and met our home stay hosts. I stayed with the Williamson family with Matt. Our rest day began at the hunt lodge in town, where I got to skeet-shoot. It was my first time ever shooting a gun, so I was really excited. Later that night I spent some time napping in the hunt lodge jacuzzi. It was very relaxing.

Our last stop in Nebraska was at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial. We shared a wonderful dinner (and coffee) with our hosts and shared with them who we are and how cancer has affected each of us riders. After dinner many of us participated in a water balloon fight with some of the church youth. It was pretty fun and refreshing after such a hot day!

This morning, about 25 miles from the church in Imperial, we entered the state of Colorado. Our team is so excited to have made it so far, I still can’t believe it!

I drove with Mr. Wilkens (Yoshi) today in the Water Van. My knee has been acting up lately and I’m not sure whether its just overwork or my fitment for my bike. I’m taking tomorrow off as well to just give it a good rest. Stretching, ice, and helping the rest of the team is my focus for now.

Overall, the last two weeks have changed my perspective on life. No longer do I take a bed, shower, delicious breakfast, or washing machines for granted. Every host we get that has these amenities is a true blessing.

Day 19

To continue in my knee recovery, I drove the Lunch Support Van with Jasper. We got over $400 worth of donations in just a few hours. We were stoked and so was the rest of the team.

Home Stays! Today we stayed in individual homes in Watseka, IL organized by the Trinity Church. The stay made me realize how much I miss home, due to the hospitality of Doug and Carol Clark. Their home was absolutely beautiful and we had a great time in their pool! As a team, we all eat together and hadn’t realized yet how much we all eat…which is a lot! Chey, Tracey, Sidni, and I were staying with the Clark’s when we realized that we eat way more than they did. They finished eating in 20 mins and we just kept eating for an extra half hour. It was quite embarrassing…but the Clark’s were very understanding.

Day 20

Today we had to painfully leave our lovely home stays for a 77 mile ride to Channahon, IL (45 miles from Chicago). Today I rode with Bradley, Nellie, Sophie, and Alyssha. We quickly became the first group of the day due to a great tail wind. I averaged 17.5 mph, which is pretty fast for me. After lunch, it got pretty hot, making the last few miles difficult for me. I was definitely ready to shower and take a nap.

As a leg leader for Leg One, I have been occupied with organizing the duties for the rest of the team as well as planning many of the routes we have biked. I am very excited for tomorrow, because Leg One ends, marking the end to my duties (officially). I will continue to support the team and other leaders of the team as best as I can. I look forward to having time to blog and take some pictures, and make another couple of videos like this one I made for week one. Kevin, Chey, and Christine are amazing people to work with throughout this. I am so happy to be apart of Team Portland, we are all getting along so well. I could probably write a blog post about every other team member.

I thought about what I had done in high school, the mission trip I never went on, the fact that the only time I had ever tested myself was…well…never. I didn’t participate in sports; I generally relegated myself to graphic arts or with the tech crew at church. Nevertheless, these were great experiences that I would never take back. But, I realized that with the time I had left at college, I wanted to do something completely different. I knew that being so young, this was the time for some kind of opportunity.

In the middle of the madness of studying and working on my responsibilities with the fraternity, a new friend emerged in my life. Eric Stinchcomb, a (now) Frostburg graduate ultimately convinced me to apply for the 4k. I felt a certain comfort in knowing that I would have two brothers (Phi Mu Delta) there for me along the journey, because Chey and Eric would be riding with Team Portland this summer.

I applied to the program and waited for a response. Later in the week, my application was accepted and before I knew it I had a phone interview with the folks of the 4k for Cancer. Despite speaking with and researching the trip, the magnitude of its influence and significance did not strike me until the night of the 4k for Cancer Open House, held at their beautiful office in Baltimore, MD. Since that night, I have been preparing for the trip through research and training both on the bike and off.

Raising funds for the trip could not have been accomplished if it weren’t for the unwavering support of my parents, family, friends, coworkers, fraternity brothers, and many others within the Frostburg community. Deciding to attend Frostburg State was the best decision my family and I have ever made. The amount of opportunity and support from the community would be difficult to match at any other university.

I believe that the six Frostburg college students participating in the 4k for Cancer this year is a testament to the engagement of Frostburg students (within the community) as a whole. I look forward to the journey before me and I hope that you will find a personal interest in the cause that I am representing.

Thank you for your support,

Alexander Ramsey