Marcelo Flores took part in a Texas 4000 tradition unique to Prince George and has the markings on his head to prove it.
Flores is one of the 44 cyclists making the annual 7,500-kilometre (4,700-mile) trek from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska as part of an effort to raise money for cancer research. After arriving in Prince George on Sunday, Flores and a handful of his riding mates sat down for their turn in the barber's chair of local volunteer Dorrie Sharcott.
"She shaved 'T4K' on the side," Flores said of his new hairdo, which refers to the nickname for the ride. "We had a lot of fun last night. We went to (Sharcott's) daughter's house. We had a great time bonding, watching movies and having dinner -- a potluck with some of the community."
The haircut tradition dates back to 2005 when a rider named Mario asked Sharcott to style his locks back into the mohawk he had at the start of the trip. Now many of the riders want Sharcott to do the same, including Omar Ghani who wrote on his blog that she is a "T4K celebrity."
Sharcott enjoys meeting the riders every year and pulling out her clippers for the special occasion.
"It got to the point in 2010, everyone on the Rockies team got their hair cut," she said, adding some of the other riders grow their hair out so they can donate their clipping to cancer patients.
The group had a day off on Monday to recharge before the final 24 days of cycling. After lunch at The Ritz, the group descended on Fort George Park to soak up some sun. On Tuesday morning they'll stop to get their bikes tuned up at Evolve and then hit the road on the way to Vanderhoof.
Sharcott has been helping to host the cyclists, who are all University of Texas students, for the last eight years. This year she was invited to ride with the group on the first leg of the journey on June 2.
"It was really great, I got to see what went on behind the scenes to start this ride," she said, noting she was surprised there are only two paid employees who co-ordinate the epic trip -- the rest of the work is done by volunteers.
After that first leg, the group splits into two. The Rockies group was the first to reach Prince George on Sunday, while the Sierra group is set to hit town on July 28. The two teams will reunite in Whitehorse on July 31 in preparation for the final 10 days of cycling.
Like many of the riders, Flores has been touched personally by the disease -- his grandfather died of bone cancer.
Teammate Taylor Foreman is riding for her mother, who is currently battling thyroid caner. She said it was important for her to raise both money and awareness by taking part in the ride.
"After she'd been diagnosed, I wasn't exactly sure what I could do to help. I'm not a doctor, I can't make her better," Foreman said. "This organization gave me an outlet and a way that I could help in her fight."
The group has 24 days to go before reaching their destination.
