Austinites

[Plum Hill]

Was riding with friends today on Madison County (Illinois) bike trails when we came across a large group of kids...er...younger people. All were dressed up in matching kit, taking a snack break. Service van had something written on it about Austin.
While I normally stop to talk to groups like this, I didn't today. A quick shout out said they were riding from Austin to Alaska.
First, does anyone know who the group is?
Second, the most direct route between those two points would not go east of the Mississippi. What were they doing in Illinois?

[weisan]

Texas 4000

http://www.texas4000.org/

My friend Chris started it. :p

[texbike]

Texas 4000

http://www.texas4000.org/

My friend Chris started it. :p

That's the one. Were they mostly on Felts?

Texbike

[christian]

I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice.

Oh, I thought you said Austenites.

[texbike]

Oh, I thought you said Austenites.

You and my wife would get along famously...

Texbike

[jlwdm]

I helped sponsor a local rider. I do not personally know her but glad to support a top student from our small town of 1000 residents.

Jeff

[Plum Hill]

Thanks for the info.
I really wish I had stopped. One of the gals with me did.
Local TV station had a clip on:http://fox2now.com/2015/06/22/texas-students-riding-to-raise-awareness-about-cancer-dealing-with-extreme-heat/ .
Those kids are tougher than I was at that time. 4000 miles!