Clay Center

Re-reading my last blog made me realize how incredibly emo that first paragraph was...woops. Essentially, what I'm saying without being incredibly over-dramatic is that CUS2010 has touched my life in profound ways that I think I can grasp at this moment, but I know will continue to shape my life in ways that I will probably never be able to understand. That's a little better, right?

Today was an excessively easy day with only 40 miles of riding- totaling a long 2.5 hour ride. I'm not sure I remember what it's like being on a bike for 6 or more hours at a time...I'll remember soon enough, for sure. It's going to be a long stretch from here to our next 2 night host site (Denver, CO) where we get an interesting day off of sorts. From what I have gathered we're going to be-hopefully- raising 10K for Bike and Build by participating in a cross-town cycling scavenger hunt all benefiting this life changing organization. How cool is that? The details are hazy and I'm not really sure what or how it's all going to work, but I'll be sure to keep you informed. Short blog entry today because I'm attempting to put pictures online but it's slow and cumbersome and annoying so we'll see how it goes.

The biggest ball of twine is coming!

The Little Apple

I have never before been satisfied enough with living to say that I would be alright with dying. Tonight I had, for the first time in my life, that feeling. I have never been more satisfied with life than I am at this moment. We feasted at the Methodist Church thanks to the care and support of total strangers. They made vegan food for Emily, there was banana pudding, and the gratitude that people showed towards us was astounding. Everyone keeps saying that making us food and housing us is just them thanking us for "giving up" our summers, but I didn't give anything up- I've only gained. Watching the Bike and Build promotional video (that we've seen at least 30 times) still gives me chills even though I've been living it for the past 4 weeks.

But I'm getting ahead of myself seeing as I haven't updated since arriving in Kansas City. Well, as you can imagine after 100 miles nobody really felt up to doing anything too exciting so sleep came early for everyone. The next day we got to build with the KC Habitat and it has definitely been my personal favorite build day thus far. The people we worked with were awesome- super helpful and engaging and there was tons to do so we kept busy the entire time. I worked in the warehouse building interior and exterior walls for future habitat homes and so my hammering skills are killer right now. It got so hot the first day, though, that we were let out at 2:30 instead of 3:00. That night we were privileged enough to get some Royals baseball tickets donated to us and that was a blast! There was a 3 run homerun which led the Royals to a victory- fireworks ensued. We played Fuzzy Duck in the parking lot for about 45 minutes after that waiting for our van to come and pick us up and take us home. The next day at the build site was equally as awesome and this time we were all 31 together after lunch. More wall building led into building two doghouses (thanks to the direction of Zach and Noah) which Habitat sells at their Re-Store in order to raise money for their organization. So much fun! Again, everything was awesome and we got some KC BBQ as well as a suprise of popsicles from one of the home owners.

The next day it was time to bike again, but I won't bore you with all of those shenanigans. As per usual it was great times. The best day was when we were leaving KC heading to Lawrence we went on this crazy 18 mile bike trail that had trees down, bridges out, and lots of traffic. Bike & Hike & Build was the name of the game that day. It stormed pretty badly that day too, but watching the ominous clouds roll up on the Kansas plains was astonishingly beautiful. Lawrence was a treat when we got there because of the most awesome bike shop ever- Sunflower. The guys working were super helpful and looked at our bikes for free...which was especially great because guess who went through their 4th tire? Yep, this girl. The guy changed it for me though and told me that the new tire I have SHOULD last for a long time...here's to hoping.

Phew, I hope you're not bored yet! Finally, onto today which was our first day off in 34 days. I got to sleep until 9:30...luxury. The day held nothing but excitment from there- there were more massages, shopping, coffee, thrifting, relaxing, and of course tons of eating. Checking out Aggieville (as historic downtown Manhattan is lovingly deemed) was great! And like I mentioned in the first paragraph the love and support is rejuvinating.

Can't wait to pedal away tomorrow! AND the biggest ball of twine is coming up in the near future....HUZZAH!!!!

First Century

So, yesterday, I rode 100 miles....woah. I've never rode that far in one sitting in my entire bicycling career. It felt so good to hit that 100 mark- especially because I pulled up to the church with Noah and Christina and we still had about 4 miles to go so we just biked around scenic Raytown, MO for a little while. The rides are getting progressively warmer as the summer continues and we continue to not climb into the mountains. We're going to be in Colorado soon enough though...too soon.

Prior to that, however we biked to Washington, Jeff City, and then Sedalia, MO. We were on the Katy Trail for nearly 100 miles between those three biking days which was a lovely change of pace, but when we got off the loose gravel I'm pretty sure nobody complained. There was an outbreak of popped tires (none for me, hopefully my luck has changed) and plagues of the most gigantic mosquitoes I have ever seen in my life but other than that it was super great to be on nearly empty roads and just chill and talk to people while riding. Speaking of mosquitoes- because they were so bad when people had to change their tubes they had to do it while running sometimes the bugs wer so thick. West Nile?

While we were in Washington we got a chance to walk down to the Missouri River which was a blast. The sun was setting and the water was pink, purple, and blue with the reflection of the sky. I got some really awesome pictures and it kills me that I can't put them up (no computer capabilities) so once I get home or to somehwere I can upload them hopefully I'll be able to put some in. Jeff City was really cool too, but I basically slept the entire time I was there aside from visiting a small coffee shop with Tina. Sedalia- I stayed in the church basement the entire time, BUT the good people of that church were so kind as to set us up with FREE massages and chiropractic adjustments! CUS route is by far the most awesome thing ever.

This all brings me back to how incredibly awesome people are in the world. Some of these hosts have been having us back year after year and they are still so excited about it. The man in Jeff City was like our guardian angel- he brought us the most delicious muffins in the entire world, drove Britt and Aileen to our host site after Britt fell, AND helped Emily out with her flat tire. He was incredible. And the chiropractors/massage therapist? I can't even begin to thank or contemplate the generosity of people sometimes. It's so great.

So now we're in "Kansas City" and we had our first of two build days. My group built walls for future homes (awesome) and it was really sweaty/hot. The heat index reached 100 today- I think for the first time- so we had to leave the build site at 2:30 which was a bummer because we were coasting up to that point...and then the nails started getting warm and maleable.

But yeah, these past few days of biking have been pretty challenging for me. Leaving St. Louis was a wonderful day and I was feeling great on the bike, however the days after that have been rough. I'm hoping these two days of building give my legs enough of a break to make it to Monday which is our first day off- Huzzah! Tonight we're lucky enough to go to a Kansas City Royals game for free thanks to Emily! It should be a blasty-blast. I believe that's all for now...I don't think I missed anything.

(1400 miles of) Pedaling for Affordable Housing!

Met you in st Louie

Okay i'm exhausted after another intense day of building. Today we were with rebuilding together in north city ( off kingshighway) . I got to nail down the beginings of a new kitchen floor, spakled the walls and ceilings, and then put sealent over the whole room. It was st Louis hot so that was both pleasant and awful. In the past 24 hours I have been such a st louisan! I ate Ted drewes, pork steaks, and roasted ravioli, went up inside the arch and rode the metro. Woah. I'm not exactly sure how everyone liked st Louis necessarily... Coming in through riverview and natural bridge and then staying at umsl may have left a slightly poor impression on our group. The food was great though and that's usually what we remember so I hope that made a great impression!
Aside from all that I got to see people I'vebeen missing in my life these past few weeks. Seeing people from "real life" was both awesome and interesting in a way that I can't really define. For example I just got into a weir mood tonight once things started chilling out. I just couldn't get cannon beach out of my mind and that just made me so sad! I'm so glad st Louis isn't the for real halfway point (people just think it is). I'm glad I'm leaving st Louis which may sound awful or strange since it is my hometown but I'm done with real life for now. I just want my safe haven of bikenbuild back!

Here's to riding a bike to forget your troubles!

Ps why do I use exclamation points so excessively?

One more day until st Louis!

Woah. I'm returning to my home town tomorrow. That's a crazy feeling. I just want to show everyone my hometown so badly. the arch has never seemed so exciting.
Yesterday we had solidarity day which means that everyone painted their eyes to match christinas black ones. She thought she was dreaming when she woke up and then she looked at ne and called me stupid. Silly girl. Today was 'dois DES la locos' or the day of the crazys. We basically need something.... anything to keep our minds occupied through the southern tip of Illinois. It's always a great day on bike and build but these past few days have been flat and low mileage therefore we've been going crazy. Look to the left Corn look to the right corn.... I miss climbing the mountains! I got to wear my lifeguard swimming suit over my biking outfit. Super cute! Some people went all out and drew on themselves with sharpies. There were a lot of backwards jerseys and pre-ride we did our now daily twenty second dance party! Huzzah!
Currently I'm in a coffee shop with mark Emma Jen Dave and zach. I'm really tired because the whole time zone change had really thrown me for a loop. So I guess today is chill day but yesterday was a nap day. dinner is still over 2 hours away! Gah! Okay well this blog entry js about as vacant as the countryside we have been biking through so I'm going to end it here before I bore myself to death.
Meet me in St. Louis??

College towns are my favorite!

Check me out blogging for a second day in a row! Shoot I'll have to keep this up.

So today, miracle of all miracles, our ride was a mere 40 miles! Were in Bloomington IN home of Indiana University. We got in at around 1 because we stopped in Nashville to grab coffee and second breakfast (lord of the rings reference unintended). While we were all inside there was a huge PoP that Sounded like a cap gun. Turns out it was my back tire...again. I must have ticked off the tire karma-gods somehow. Luckily I was again with people who knew what to do (Noah Emma and mark) so now I'm rocking some stock tires. Not for long though. Other than that the day has been superbly relaxing. I'm even wearing a dress right now sipping coffee and munching a vegan strawberry scone. Emily frost is in heaven.

The further into the middle of the country we get the more peoples families seem to be turning up and so more and more love and hospitality are being showered on us everyday! Cookies and other baked goods, donations of granola (A huge luxury when you have a mere 60 bucks to feed 31 ravenous bikers breakfast AND lunch) as well as kind words of support. For anyone reading this at home believe me there really and truly is still so much good in the hearts of man (ohhh cliche!). No truly I mean it!

Well my fellow cyclists are now decending upon the coffee shop. They'll nnever know what hit them! Until next time!

Overdue!!

Okay so I'm going to attempt to type this entry on my Itouch. I didn't really realiZe how often parents friends and family seem to check these out so hopefully this becomes a more refular occurence.

Today we crossed into our fourth state which absolutely blows my mind. I'm going to be in st Louis on FRIDAY and I can't believe that either. I'm so excited that we get to see my hometown but also super bummed bc we come in up north so seeing the arch is questionable. Buzzkill. That's kind of what ppl want to see if they visit stl since they won't be able to check out any of the other awesome st Louis sights. But no matter what it's going to be great bc were going to be HOME!

Enough about the future though bc if there is one crucial thing bike and build has been teaching me it's definitely to take each day for everything that it is. Each new mile is a first and last. We'll never bike together from Cincinnati to columbus, IN because this trip is one long line. It's strange to stop for a second right now to think about that. When people say once in a lifetime they really do mean it. This is it!

Okay now for real going on to what has been happening lately. We had a build day yesterday in Cincinnati which was, as per usual, great. I put up roof trusses (questionable spelling) and that was really awesome. with something like a roof it's super easy to track your progress and leave the build site with visual evidence that you got a lot accomplished. That's always super satisfying. The people at the cincinnati habitat thought we dis an excellent job which is also always great to hear!

Currently in Columbus I'm listening to Noah and mark snore because they fell asleep at 745 at night. An 86 mile day will do that.

Shoot this is really disjointed...

Oh! I blew my first tire today! Thank goodness Zach had a spare or else I'm bot quite sure what I would have done. But yeah pre-tire the ride was stupendous. Full of British accents, broadway style singing, and bicycling. So good. I'm not quite sure how transitioning to "real life" is going to go after this trip. Luckily were still super far from that grim reality.

Tomorrow it's on to Bloomington which I hear is baller. It's only a 45 miler so hopefully we can enjoy all it has to offer (coffee?? I can dream)

for now it's goodbye but hopefully there will be more regular wi-fi access.

Biking through rural VA and WV makes blogging extremely difficult. Needless to say it's been quite some time since I've posted and it would legitimately take days to catch everything up so I'll try and just give a quick synopsis.

http://www.wsaz.com/charleston/headlines/95291494.html

Check out that link so you can see just how incredibly awesome our Charleston stay was!

Okay, so bicycling through the Appalachian Mountains was intense! 6 mile climbs at 9% grades is not something i had ever done before nor was I prepared to do it, but I made it and am no worse for wear (kind of). I'm sore and exhausted, but this trip truly could not be any more awesome. It almost seems like those more difficult days were the ones that I enjoyed the most. It's just you, the mountain, and your determination/thoughts getting you up and over. The downhills are breathtaking and there is nothing more satisfying than flying 40-45 mph down a mountain for about 5 minutes after climbing for 2 hours. I'm completely serious.

At one point, after climbing Affton Moutain and part of the Blue Ridge Pkwy I started my decent and to my right was the most spectacularly beautiful view I've ever seen. Two hawks were literally soaring right next to me and I just watched them go at eye level with me for about 10 seconds, but in those ten seconds I really and truly felt alive. There is no such thing as a bad day on Bike and Build, there are only more difficult days.

SO after much climbing we finally got to head downhill for the past few days, which has been nothing short of heavenly. I got iced coffee today, too....Bike and Build is definitely NOT conducive for caffeine addictions. Woops. NBD though fa sho.

Well, I think that's about everything for now. It's been quite the experience and it always will be.