Every year Texas 4000 competitively selects University of Texas students for a program designed to cultivate the next generation to lead the fight against cancer. The culmination of the students’ fundraising, training and volunteering is a 70 day bike ride from Austin to Anchorage. All along their 3 routes, the cyclists raise awareness and financial support for cancer.

This year, BDX/BHI was proud to host the riders in our Northwest Austin office building for their first night on the road to Anchorage. On Friday evening over 200 friends, family members and supporters filled our office to send the riders off on their journey. We were so proud to host this group and support these students. This truly is an amazing program with such an inspirational message and mission.

As a 70-day ride that travels three routes from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska, the Texas 4000 summer ride is the longest annual charity bike ride in the world. Starting together in Austin on Day Zero, the team splits on Day Two into Sierra, Rockies, and Ozarks routes and later reunites in Canada to ride the last nine days together into Anchorage. Each rider logs more than 4,000 riding miles throughout the course of the ride.

As a result of their full experience, Texas 4000 riders report growth and increased skills in the areas of physical fitness, leadership, accountability, confidence, resiliency, decision-making, conflict resolution, cancer advocacy, community engagement, volunteerism, fundraising, networking, mentorship, nonprofit operations, bike maintenance, nutrition, public speaking, interviewing, time management, teamwork, and more.

To learn more about the program and follow the rider’s progress along the way — visit www.texas4000.org.