In the Past Twenty Days…

Before we knew it, we were leaving Chester Illinois, after sleeping behind the FOE, Fraternal Order of the Eagle, which was basically a fraternity for middle to upper-aged men, and even more basically, a bar. After a not so good night trying to fall asleep amongst what was literally a beach party on a beach volleyball court until 1 AM, we left Chester, the home of Popeye the Sailer man, we crossed the Mississippi river into Missouri.

Before we knew it, it had been 20 days of riding and we had ridden our bikes through Virginia, Kentucky, and Illinois, we had traveled over 1,000 miles, and we were 1/3 of way done with our trip. In that twenty days a lot had happened; we had most importantly grown closer as a team and came together as a group of individuals who not only have the same goal but have become what is like family.  The idea of a foxhole buddy in a war applies to what we do every day, as if we were fighting a war alongside one another each of the riders grows closer to the others through every mile of crushing heat and pain. These people have already become life-long friends whom I will only grow closer to every day. 

In the past twenty days we have pushed our bodies and our minds to the limit. We had reached our limit of what we thought was possible, and we crashed right through them. In the past twenty days we understand more than ever what it means to have a cause you would do anything for. We have learned the joy that comes from helping others, and we have seen the appreciation and gratefulness in people who understand the challenge that faces you.  We have met people and we have heard their stories, we have spread the word, and raised nearly $90,000 for MS, and we have been an inspiration to people. A lot has happened in the past twenty days, and we are only one third of the way there.