Monday, June 21
What a day! As if biking was not enough, after a scorching hot day complete with sets of mean rolling hills, we had a night filled of events. Upon arriving at the Grand avenue Church, we had an army of bike issues to tend to. We called almost every bike shop in Kansas City and surrounding areas before we came across The Wheel Cyclery, Heather the owner of the shop was absolutely fantastic in welcoming our team of riders to her store to get re-fitted and to offer advice that could help put an end to problems like knee pain and stiff shoulders. After dropping off about six riders at the bike shop I had to pick up some food that we as a team would later cook for the cancer patients at the Kansas City Hope Lodge. After arriving about 20 minutes late, we just couldn’t say good bye to Heather, the kitchen of the Hope Lodge transformed in to a 5 star restaurant. 4k-ers were chopping up greens and vegetables, simmering sauces and boiling pasta in a manner that would bring tears of joy to any head chef! Once the dinner bell rang, Patients, Family members and riders feasted together in epic fashion, trading stories of lost, and hope, as well as a couple well places jokes and talk of lighter hearted nature. We had all been in this atmosphere before back at the Baltimore Hope Lodge, but the moments we spent in Kansas City were brought us newfound connection to the cause we all are riding for. Seeing how people from all over the country are battling cancer, with an unprecedented determination and fighting spirit gave us new fuel to get us through those 105 mile long days that await us in the coming future. While only spending one night in Kansas City, we took a lifetimes worth of memories with us, that will continue to inspire us long after we arrive in San Francisco!
-Jose Medina
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