Well...after many a prayer and wishful thinking, Lauren did receive her goodie/med package Thursday; said she received it that morning before the crew headed to Smithers, BC. She sounded much better on the phone yesterday as I was able to actually talk to her and hear sweet voice. ; )
The last three towns they have ridden through (which brings the blog current) are as follows...
Smithers (July 22), Kitwanga (July 23), and today they were riding to Meziadin Junction; rides of 89.0, 69.0 and 95.0 respectively. 8 more days and Lauren and the crew will cross over in to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory......unbelievable!
Here are some tidbits on the different towns......
Smithers, BC ~ With a population close to 6,000, the town of Smithers is located in the Bulkley Valley of northwestern British Columbi on the Trans Canadian Yellowhead Highway (Route 16); halfway between the cities of Prince Rupert and Prince George, right in the heart of British Columbia. The community is surrounded by mountains which provide the backdrop for the downtown's Alpine setting. Here are excerpts from two articles about the Texas 4000 Rockies crew riding and staying over in the town of Smithers:
From INTERIOR-NEWS.com
A Reverence for Riding
By: Andrew Hudson-Smithers Interior News
Published: July 21, 2010
United Church to host charity bicycle tour
When 55 University of Texas students roll through Smithers on July 22 on an Austin-to-Anchorage charity bicycle tour, they will find a kindred spirit in Reverend Alyssa Anderson.
Not only has she arranged a potluck dinner for the hungry Texans and given them a place to sleep on the Smithers United Church floor, Reverend Anderson is a former bike tourer who knows how your thighs feel after cycling a 90-mile day.
This summer will not be the first time that riders on the Texas 4000 tour have stopped in Smithers. Billed as the world's longest bike tour for charity, the ride raises money for cancer research.
"It's something that everyone can get behind", said Anderson. Some members of her congregation are struggling with cancer now, she said.
Scheduled for July 22 and open to all members of the public, the Texas 4000 riders will be holding a presentation to promote cancer awareness.
From INTERIOR-NEWS.com
Texas 4000 prepare to roll through Smithers
By: Karen Bolen - Smithers Interior News
Published: July 21, 2010
On Thursday, July 22, participants of the Texas 4000, the longest annual charity bike ride in the world, will be passing through Smithers.
The 70 day, 4,687 mile bike ride starts in Austin, Texas and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. The riders chose from two different routes, the Sierra route or the Rockies route. In the Sierra route they will pass through three provinces and territories as well as seven states and in the Rockies route they will pass through two provinces and territories and nine states. Since the ride started in 2004, they have raised more than 1.5 million in the fight against cancer.
This is the seventh annual Texas 4000 and in the past six years, 250 teams members have ridden a total of more than 1.2 million miles, including training and ride itself.
This year's team was made up of riders aged 18-29, representing 22 majors at the University of Texas, and three countries.
When the bike ride is finished, the team will have spent 30 nights camping, 16 nights sleeping in gymnasiums, 14 nights with host families, 9 nights in churches and only one night in a hotel room, which was donated.
Kitwanga, BC ~ This little village, now a historical site, is located near where the Yellowhead Highway meets the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, west of Hazelton.
Meziadin Junction, BC ~ Meziadin Junction is 97 miles north of Kitwanga; it made its name on Highway 37 with and Esson Service Station supplying gas, diesel, towing and tire repairs for the travelers driving Highway 37. Meziadin Junction was also the point where the Arrow Transport asbestos truck coming from Cassisar made the turn to go to the Port of Stewart.
Today at Meziadin Junction, there are some RV hookups, a small grocery store and a restaurant.
Tomorrow's ride will be from Meziadin Junction to (Vernon) Dease Lake, BC a ride of 60.0 miles.
An interesting note: Highway 37 North traverses through some of the most remote and beautiful scenery in British Columbia. It is only one of two land routes to the State of Alaska and has small populated areas along the way. The total distance from the junction of Highway 16 (a.k.a. the Yellowhead Highway, which is what the riders have been on) to the Yukon border is 450 miles.
Bear, caribou, fox and moose can frequently be found along the highway.
More updates to follow!
Remember Lauren...ride fast, ride hard, remember those for whom you ride and may the moon tuck you in with a smile one your face. See you soon in Alaska!
Love you much ~ Mom
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