Texas4000 Returns to Fayetteville on Annual Bicycle Ride to Alaska

With near 100° temperatures, 18 University of Texas students arrived at the Red & White Inn in Fayetteville on Sunday afternoon of May 18 on their 4,000-plus mile bicycle ride to Alaska. Each year a new group of students raises money for cancer research and care by taking 70 days out of their summer to spread cancer awareness from Austin to Anchorage. The Red & White Inn and the Cabins at Blackbird Farm provided lodging and meals, helped along by the generosity of two dozen locals who brought food and water for the group.

The evening supper at Blackbird Farm had many highlights. Fayetteville Mayor Mike Stroup, Annie Rost and Glen Renfro played music for the group and were joined by rider Hanna Hoogendam on one song to the delight of the crowd. After the meal, each rider stood and told why they were riding and who they knew with cancer to whom they had dedicated their ride.

Monday morning more local volunteers helped prepare a 6:30 a.m. breakfast at the Red & White Inn. After breakfast, riders and the local volunteers gathered in a circle on the Square to share their stories, reinforce their commitment and to voice what made them grateful. The riders left Fay-etteville with new energy and a new set of friends that were also moved by the experience.

The students were incredibly thankful for the generosity they received in Fayetteville, on this trip but also when they stayed at Fayetteville School last November while training for the long ride.

From Fayetteville, the riders next went to Houston and will then travel through the Ozarks on their way to Anchorage, Alaska. The team travels with two vehicles and a large trailer, with the teammates taking turns riding or providing support. The team that came through Fayetteville is the Ozark Team, with two other teams setting out at the same time, one through the Rockies and another traveling up the West Coast. There are 60 riders in total.

For the 21st year, the Texas4000 competitively selects UT students for an 18-month program designed to cultivate the next generation to lead the fight against cancer, develop student leaders and engage communities. Each student raises money, rides 2,000 training miles with his/her team, volunteers more than 50 hours in the community, and plays an active role in planning every aspect of the ride.

“Fayette County is very generous,” said host Joan Herring. “The riders also received a free pizza lunch from Reba’s Deli & Pizzeria in La Grange and kolaches from Hruska’s Bakery in Ellinger. One of the riders commented that she had no idea the ride would make her so hungry!”

For more information and to donate to the Ozark Team, visit their website, www.texas4000. org or follow them on Instagram at Instragram.com/ gozarks.