For photos of my journey from training to fundraising and every day of the ride, see my tumblr: http://brentbulger.tumblr.com

I was born and raised outside of Houston, Texas in an uneventful, cookie-cutter suburb. I am the oldest among my two siblings and all seven of my local cousins so, from day one, I’ve always blazed my own trails. I was never satisfied just sitting inside watching TV or doing the bare minimum. I’ve always strove to seek out new adventures and push myself. I have a need to be a part of something bigger than myself, to contribute and to belong. But I've learned that whether it's in the slow suburbs or bustling city, the one thing that makes life worth living is the people. I am majoring in Advertising because I have always been fascinated by culture and people, what we share. I marvel at what we create together, what it means to be human.

Needless to say, independent life and a new vibrant city provided stimulation that I never imagined compared to the cliche opportunities of suburbia. I feel that every day, I am defining myself through the choices I make, the people I meet, and the questions I ask. I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines or accept the status quo. Life isn’t something that just happens to you, it’s up to you to go out and experience it. The word participation comes to mind. I feel obligated to contribute and motivated to enrich my own perspective with as many people, places, and experiences as I possibly can, positive or otherwise. I’d love to say that I have it all figured out but I don’t, and that’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. I don’t think I’ll ever stop growing or be satisfied. I’m never really scared of the future because the uncertainty of it all is what excites me. I look forward to the surprises tomorrow will bring and welcome change.

Vera Bulger was my father’s mother whom I, unfortunately, was never privileged to have met. She passed from cancer years before me or most of my cousins were even born. I ride for her.

I’m proud to say that people have always told me that I remind them of her, and that we would’ve gotten along pretty well. I believe a piece of her lives in me and I think she deserved to take a few more bike rides than she did. I ride for all the people who won’t get a chance to. The more people I can reach, the more hours I can commit, the closer we can come to a cure, then the closer those affected can come to peace.

For me, this ride is about more than spreading Hope, Knowledge, and Charity in the fight against cancer. It's also about celebrating life. I want to wake up every morning and question what it means to be alive and answer that question by doing something new and exciting and pushing myself on the bike. I want to learn from all those we will meet who have pondered over their mortality and distilled the meaning of life down to what really matters. I believe that every day we are out there, in the real world, on that bike, living it up, is a slap in cancer's face. Because this ride reminds people what it means to be alive, what it means to be human. And that's more powerful to me than any medicine.