There’s a lot of honking going on at the busy intersection of Barton Springs and South Lamar in South Austin and it has nothing to do with the traffic there.
The parking lot of Jack and Adam’s Bicycles on the northeast corner of that intersection is where members of Texas 4000 are having a marathon fundraiser where at least two people are cycling in shifts for 24 hours a day on a stationary bicycle.
The point is to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
“Overall, our ultimate goal is just to end cancer and we're just doing it the best way we know how,” said Sam Markolf, a University of Texas student and member of the Texas 4000, a non-profit group made up of UT students who train for 18 months for a bicycle ride from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska.
Eight years ago, a UT student who was touched by cancer created the Texas 4000, named for the approximate distance between Austin and Alaska.
In that time, Texas 4000 has raised more than $2 million for cancer research.
Each year, more than 300 UT students apply to be part of Texas 4000. This year, only 46 students were selected, most of whom are women.
“You would think it'd be about bike ability or athleticism and that is not at all the case. It's about passion, the ability to be a team player, work well in a group,” said Jamille Ruebsahm with Texas 4000.
Each participant has to have at least 1,500 hours of cycling under their belts before hitting the road to Alaska.
The students will be staying with "good Samaritans" along the way, as well as at senior centers and churches, and will traverse through rain, sleet, snow and heat.
“The whole point of the ride is to fight cancer primarily and to cultivate the next generation of cancer fighters and young philanthropists, to develop them as leaders and give them that opportunity to know that they can change the world,” added Ruebsahm.
Texas 4000 has a fundraising goal of $350,000, but as of Tuesday night was about $100,000 shy of their goal.
Members of the group have been riding the stationary bicycle to raise awareness and money for the past eight days. The last day is Wednesday.
The group leaves Austin for Alaska on June 4.
If you would like to help in their effort here’s a link to their website.
