Spotlight: Texas 4000's Homecoming Bash
Ticketbud is proud to Spotlight Austin based Texas 4000 with their annual ride from Austin to Alaska benefiting cancer research. Program director, Lance Pyburn, tells us about the organization and their upcoming event- Homecoming Bash!
What is the longest bike ride you have ever gone on? Ten miles? Fifty miles? Try 4,700 miles! This is how long a group of University of Texas Students traveled. They participated in the longest charity ride in the world—pedaling for the majority of their summer on a 70 day trek all the way from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. This was the 8th annual ride that the organization has held since being founded in 2004. This year 43 students participated from ages 19-26. Students met with groups in cities along the way and gave presentations about the importance of hope. Ticketbud had the opportunity to talk with Lance Pyburn, Program Director of Texas 4000. Here’s what he had to say:
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Lance Pyburn – Program Director[/caption]
Ticketbud: How did you get involved with Texas 4000? What is it like organizing the events?
Pyburn: After participating in the ride back in 2009, I continued to be involved in Texas 4000 in various volunteer roles until the Program Director position was created in the spring of 2011. After experience firsthand how Texas 4000 can impact your life as a young adult, I knew that I wanted to step into the role of Program Director to work directly with the students and help ensure that the program continues develop them as the next generation of leaders and cancer fighters while growing our presence in the Austin community and communities along our routes across the nation.
Ticketbud: You went on the 2009 ride—what was that like?
Pyburn: Being involved in Texas 4000 as a rider has definitely shaped my life and given me experiences that I never thought I would have at such a young age. The ride itself was life changing getting to cycle across a continent and spread the message that cancer can be beaten. The planning and preparation the year before the ride was also very much a part of the Texas 4000 experience. Before even going on the ride, a Texas 4000 rider is responsible for raising $4,500, logging 1500 training miles, and volunteering 30 hours in the community. In addition to this, many of the riders take leadership positions to actually plan the ride from start to finish. This is where the leadership development aspect of Texas 4000 comes from, and it works!
Ticketbud: How do people react to the presentations on the ride?
Pyburn: Having the opportunity to interact with members of the communities we cycle through is one of the biggest rewards of the ride. The generosity of the human spirit is amazing, and it’s truly humbling to see the kindness shown to the riders each year as community members offer up their homes, food, and stories to the team.
Ticketbud: What is the purpose of the Homecoming Bash?
Pyburn: Homecoming Bash is a fun and informal welcome home party for the team. It’s a low key and casual environment in which friends and family members of the riders can get a very close look into what the riders experience over the summer and celebrate their accomplishment. I actually served as the very first Homecoming Bash Coordinator back in 2010 when we created the event in conjunction with our annual Tribute Gala (6:30pm August 25th at the Four Seasons) which is a more formal reception of the team. Kathryn Flowers, 2010 alumni rider, is this year’s Homecoming Bash Coordinator, and she has a great event planned for the 2012 team.
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Finally in Alaska![/caption]
If you are in Austin be sure to come out for the Homecoming Bash and congratulate the riders! Tickets are only $20 and you can get them here. For more information you can visit the Texas 4000’s website. Don’t forget—Ticketbud is free for all cancer charities!]]]]> ]]>