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Cyclists Pause for July 4th


Two recent graduates of Dickinson College took a break from their cross-country bike ride to enjoy the July Fourth holiday.

Andre Lekich of West Chester, Pa., and Avi Keremidchieva of Bulgaria left campus on May 28, less than one week after graduating. On July 4 they were in Rapid City, S.D., where they were met by Ivo Lekich, Andre's father, who had flown out to see them. They celebrated Independence Day by dining out, visiting Mount Rushmore and enjoying fireworks. The next day they rested their legs some more and drove around South Dakota to see some of the sights, but by July 6 they were on the road again.

As of July 12 they were in Basin, Wyo., getting close to Yellowstone National Park. The bicyclists are one day behind schedule and hope to arrive in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 5.


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  • Andre poses in front of the presidential sculptures on Mount Rushmore.
    Mount Rushmore
  • Andre and Avi in front of the sign for Bear Country Wildlife Park.
    Bear Country
  • While driving through the Badlands on a side trip, Andre and his father stopped to help a driver with a broken-down VW van.
    Helping Hand
  • From left, Andre, Avi and Andre's father Ivo Lekich in Rapid City, S.D.
    Group Photo
  • Avi and Andre rest up at the home of their Warmshowers.org host. Members of Warmshowers provide hospitality for touring cyclists.
    Avi and Andre
  • Avi and Andre pack up their bikes and get ready to continue on their journey west.
    Hit the Road
Andre poses in front of the presidential sculptures on Mount Rushmore. Prev ImageNext Image

Read about their journey thus far and visit their blog for additional photos, videos and firsthand accounts. The map below shows their progress.