Two second-year UConn medical students successfully completed their coast-to-coast bike ride for a cause cycling in just 50 days, over 3,200 miles, and even in a heat index of 100 degrees.
But who’s counting?
James Marks, 25, of Guilford, and Zach Giguere, 24, of Windsor, are no longer counting miles nor minutes to being home in Connecticut. On July 30, their triumphant return was celebrated outside UConn School of Medicine where they were greeted at the Academic Entrance by the loud and proud cheers of their fellow medical school classmates, faculty, and families.
The song “The Boys are Back in Town” played from a classmate’s car, as classmate Jack O’Donnell shouted, “The boys are back!”
The two UConn cyclists’ mighty, once-in-a- lifetime coast-to-coast bike ride started on the West Coast on June 10 in Seattle. The ride was in honor of a lifesaving cause – suicide prevention, and their mission was to raise awareness and funds to advance national mental health research via the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
They far exceeded their mission.
“It’s amazing. We started with a $10,000 fundraising goal and so have raised well over $20,000. It feels really good,” said Marks. “That was the whole point of our trip.”
Their bike trek marks the 20th anniversary that UConn medical and dental students have made the huge summer Coast-2-Coast bike journey annually across America for varied health causes.
“We believe that investing in suicide prevention—through research, crisis support, and accessible mental health care—can save lives. We are committed to raising awareness, advocating for change, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle,” the UConn students shared.
Suicide prevention is deeply personal to Marks. “I lost my Dad,” Marks shared at the start of the bike trip.
“I am glad I can do this journey to raise awareness.” Giguere adds, “Our ultimate goal was to raise awareness of suicide and get people to talk about it, so we can prevent it.”
On July 31 they ride a few more miles, thankfully with no more heavy bike gear, to ceremoniously dip their wheels in the ocean along the Madison shore.
“I can’t wait to jump in the ocean,” said Giguere.
“And shower,” he added.
Giguere celebrated his 24th birthday on the road and his mother Lisa can’t wait to celebrate his belated birthday with a homemade blueberry pie, the first pie she ever baked. She even handpicked the blueberries for the special occasion.
“Zach was never much of a bike person,” shared Mom, who was surprised he was even game for the long bike journey. “James did it for very personal reasons. Zach did it because he knows how important the cause is. I’m so proud of both of them.”
The UConn medical students did have just a little prep, 5 or 6 classes, in training for their big trip thanks to their medical student classmate Alyssa Harduby, who teaches a spin class at UConn Health’s Wellness Center.
Second-year UConn medical student Brooke Charria, who helped organize the students’ homecoming, shared, “We are very proud of them. It’s such an accomplishment. It’s not something everyone can do. They even doubled their fundraising goal.”
The two riders and future doctors loved seeing America.
“Minnesota was awesome!” Marks exclaimed, noting that they took in a Twins baseball game. “Minnesota was one of the best parts of the trip. Minneapolis is a great city.”
The two men had great appreciation of all the kind Americans they met, for all those who graciously hosted and sheltered them during their long journey, and the chance to see the country.
They also noted that the Midwest wants more doctors: “Everyone asked us to come back and be doctors there.”
“We even saw a rodeo in North Dakata,” Giguere said.
“We had freezing rain in Montana. It was really cold! Our hottest weather is probably today in Connecticut,” Marks said, adding that nothing beats being finally home in Connecticut.
“It was such a good feeling seeing the Welcome to Connecticut sign,” Marks sighed with relief. During the epic bike trip, he and Giguere have even become bike repair experts.
“We had a bunch of flat tires. I’m pretty quick at changing them now. We’ll add it to the resume,” Marks joked.
Donate to their suicide prevention cause.
Follow their Coast-2-Coast journey on Instagram @_coast2coast25_
