I heard about Texas 4000 when a spokesperson came to my class three days before the application deadline. The next hour and a half, I spent the entirety of that class researching Texas 4000, and that night, I started my application. For most people, their first thought when hearing about Texas 4000 is that you must be crazy to bike to Alaska, but I have that crazy in me!

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in 3rd grade. She received a lumpectomy, removing a lump of breast tissue. Still, they could not get clear margins, so she decided to receive a double mastectomy and go through radiation. Throughout her journey with cancer, it was hard seeing the strongest woman I knew be reduced into fragments. Fortunately, she beat cancer, and my family and I were able to help put the pieces back together. The diagnosis and treatment were hard, but as a family, we loved harder.

I joined this team for my mom, my biggest inspiration and a constant source of strength and love. I ride for those who are fighting cancer right now or those who fought and lost. I ride for every person whose cancer has consumed their lives and every family cancer has touched. I will ride for my teammates and their stories and every person we encounter on the ride, and I would love to ride for you or a loved one of yours.

TO ALASKA AND BACK,

Claire Levan