Seventeen cyclists on a 4,800-mile mission to raise cancer awareness and research funds made a heartfelt stop in New Martinsville this week. The Illini 4000, a group of University of Illinois students and alumni, arrived Tuesday after an intense 102-mile ride from Morgantown along the hilly stretch of W.Va. Route 7.
This was one of their toughest days yet, riders said — with long climbs, rough pavement, and even a spill that left one rider bandaged but undeterred.
The Illini 4000 team is biking from New York City to San Francisco, traveling only on back roads, avoiding interstates to truly connect with communities across America. Their journey began on May 31 and is expected to wrap up on August 17.
Their cause is deeply personal. Through their Portraits Project, the riders document the stories of those affected by cancer while raising funds for patient support and cancer research.
Since its founding in 2007, the Illini 4000 has raised over $1.3 million, pedaled more than 58,000 miles, and gathered over 400 personal portraits from cancer survivors, fighters, and families.
Welcomed by New Martinsville Churches
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church graciously hosted the riders for the night, providing shelter, a warm breakfast, and heartfelt hospitality.
Local EMS teams from Tyler and Wetzel counties donated cots — a welcomed upgrade for the cyclists who often sleep on floors. The United Methodist Church on Howard Jeffers Drive also opened its doors early Wednesday morning to allow the team to shower before hitting the road again.
Joe Herrick, along with Dan Pastilong, Pat Lilkendey, and Denise Klug, prepared breakfast for the group and made a donation on behalf of the church. Herrick called the cyclists “fun and polite,” adding that listening to their road stories was inspiring.
Driven by a Bigger Mission
Founded by UIUC students Jon Schlesinger and Anish Thakkar in 2006 after bonding over biking while studying abroad in Singapore, the Illini 4000 began its first ride in 2007.
That ride raised $55,000 and helped establish the Camp Kesem chapter at the University of Illinois. Now in its 17th year, the organization has grown to include over 275 alumni and supports 10 beneficiaries doing important cancer research and patient work.
“The Illini 4000 wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of communities and donors across the country,” the group noted. “Every contribution helps us move closer to a world without cancer.”
Beneficiaries include both national organizations and local centers like the Cancer Center at Illinois, where researchers are innovating new cancer treatment technologies and educational experiences.
The public can follow the team’s cross-country adventure with daily updates.
Every mile, every story, and every dollar matters in the Illini 4000’s effort to raise awareness and hope in the fight against cancer.
