On the way to Berwick, PA.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
DAY OFF
Wow, we all really need this.
So we're in Pittsburgh, right downtown. It was a harrowing ride into the city, at the end of another 80 mile day (We have ridden 260 miles in the past 3 days, no wonder we need a break). I need to get to bike shop, I have some shifter needs and there are rumors of amazing cheese and bakery places nearby, so I am looking forward to it. Next we head to the real midwest!
I kind of can't believe we have made it this far, some days it seems like we have barely made progress, but I am so proud of all of us. This is the most amazing group of people, and I know I could never have done this alone. I feel so supported by everyone, and it is amazing to see what we can accomplish when we work together, whether on the road or on the build site. Love to the fellow B2SBers and all the people supporting me from farther away.
ttc: 23 !!!
So we're in Pittsburgh, right downtown. It was a harrowing ride into the city, at the end of another 80 mile day (We have ridden 260 miles in the past 3 days, no wonder we need a break). I need to get to bike shop, I have some shifter needs and there are rumors of amazing cheese and bakery places nearby, so I am looking forward to it. Next we head to the real midwest!
I kind of can't believe we have made it this far, some days it seems like we have barely made progress, but I am so proud of all of us. This is the most amazing group of people, and I know I could never have done this alone. I feel so supported by everyone, and it is amazing to see what we can accomplish when we work together, whether on the road or on the build site. Love to the fellow B2SBers and all the people supporting me from farther away.
ttc: 23 !!!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pennsylvania, the epic state
So I haven't posted in a while, it is hard to get internet access around these parts. This will also be a short one since many people are waiting for turns. It has been a crazy few days, hilly and long. A few days ago we crossed the Hudson, which was a major highlight. We have now also crossed the Susquehanna.
I am currently in Johnstown, PA, after an epic couple of days. Yesterday was a century from Berwick to State College, which was long, but beautiful Amish country, and I stopped with some people at a state park and swam. We eventually conquered many hills and arrived victorious. Today was the hardest day yet, 80 miles and lots of very steep hills. The terrain was harder, and we were more tired. The very end was a downhill at 16% grade with turns that was no doubt the scariest couple of minutes of my life. One highlight of the day was a free ice cream stop with my riding lady buddies. My body is pretty angry with me, but at least sleep will come easy. Soon, we will be in Pittsburgh, where we have our first DAY OFF!! Can't wait. Love to all! Also, thanks for reading, your comments mean so much to me!
I am currently in Johnstown, PA, after an epic couple of days. Yesterday was a century from Berwick to State College, which was long, but beautiful Amish country, and I stopped with some people at a state park and swam. We eventually conquered many hills and arrived victorious. Today was the hardest day yet, 80 miles and lots of very steep hills. The terrain was harder, and we were more tired. The very end was a downhill at 16% grade with turns that was no doubt the scariest couple of minutes of my life. One highlight of the day was a free ice cream stop with my riding lady buddies. My body is pretty angry with me, but at least sleep will come easy. Soon, we will be in Pittsburgh, where we have our first DAY OFF!! Can't wait. Love to all! Also, thanks for reading, your comments mean so much to me!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Up, up, and away
So we have been climbing the Berkshires, it has been an exhausting and steep couple days. (We climbed on 17% grade, which was unfortunate.) To boot, it has been rainy and somewhat chilly. They were some very hard days, but I am proud to have gotten through both of them, and arriving on the early side to boot.
Yesterday we had our longest day, 85 miles from Pittsfield MA to Poughkeepsie NY. We crossed our first state line! Photos to follow. Kyle and I were sweep, which means we have to stay in the back and help with flats, other repairs, falls, or just support going up hills. It can be frustrating and difficult to have to climb at someone else's pace, but for most of the time we had fun. We chatted, had frequent food stops, stopped at a farmstand to buy strawberries, where I chugged a waterbottle to make space for them, took a lot of pictures of the gorgeous scenery, and generally frolicked. Even the hills didn't seem so bad after the last couple days of mountains. But then we got stuck in a bunch of rainstorms, had some scary dirt roads, and traffic. Naturally we got lost, both in downtown Poughkeepsie, and on the large campus of the school where we were staying, as no one could give us directions to the actual dorm. We finally got to the host location in the midst of a thunderstorm which we stubbornly biked through. Coming in with the last group of riders, it ended up being almost 11 hours on the road. Quite an epic adventure. We were all pretty tired and a little frustrated, but a hot shower and chinese food helped enormously.
Today we are off to the build site in Poughkeepsie, I am waiting for the van to pick up a second group. Love to all and thanks for the support!
Yesterday we had our longest day, 85 miles from Pittsfield MA to Poughkeepsie NY. We crossed our first state line! Photos to follow. Kyle and I were sweep, which means we have to stay in the back and help with flats, other repairs, falls, or just support going up hills. It can be frustrating and difficult to have to climb at someone else's pace, but for most of the time we had fun. We chatted, had frequent food stops, stopped at a farmstand to buy strawberries, where I chugged a waterbottle to make space for them, took a lot of pictures of the gorgeous scenery, and generally frolicked. Even the hills didn't seem so bad after the last couple days of mountains. But then we got stuck in a bunch of rainstorms, had some scary dirt roads, and traffic. Naturally we got lost, both in downtown Poughkeepsie, and on the large campus of the school where we were staying, as no one could give us directions to the actual dorm. We finally got to the host location in the midst of a thunderstorm which we stubbornly biked through. Coming in with the last group of riders, it ended up being almost 11 hours on the road. Quite an epic adventure. We were all pretty tired and a little frustrated, but a hot shower and chinese food helped enormously.
Today we are off to the build site in Poughkeepsie, I am waiting for the van to pick up a second group. Love to all and thanks for the support!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The gang's all here!
(I am in the very middle of the top row, the tall girl in the blue helmet. Along with 30 of my identical twins.)
Team Concrete
I don't know when the internet will be available again, so let the post blitz continue.
So we had our first day on a build site! First I have to officially commend the generosity shown to us by the Webber family, who hosted us all for an amazing dinner last night. We met Tony, who spoke to us about the Merrimack chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which is active in this area. He was very inspirational, and made us all feel like we were the most awesome human beings for helping out with this cause, even though we are only here for one day. We have allocated some of this year's Bike and Build funds (about $110,000) to cover the costs of one house's construction in this chapter, which is really exciting. The more I learn about the affordable housing cause, and the more people I meet who are already involved, the more I want to do all I can.
In that vein, we headed to Lawrence today, where we split between two build sites. I went to a group of Habitat houses which were mostly all finished, but which needed fences. I thought, foolishly, that the build days would be a nice, relatively relaxing break from biking. Turns out, digging two foot holes in stony soil and mixing concrete to fill them is hot, time-consuming work. But Team Concrete conquered in the end, and our fence posts are looking great. We got to work with a future Habitat house owner, which was a lot of fun. All Habitat house owners, in addition to paying for their house (at cost), must complete 500 hours of "sweat equity" working. We helped out a little back at the other build site, where they are reconstructing a couple of houses that had been completed, but tragically burned in a fire earlier this year.
Tonight, we go back to the Webber's, where they have prepared a Thanksgiving dinner for us. To put this miracle in perspective, keep in mind that "us" is 31 ravenous, locust-like young people. It's really quite incredible. Thanks also to all of you, I wouldn't be here without your help!
(And tomorrow, back on the bike and on to Fitchburg.)
So we had our first day on a build site! First I have to officially commend the generosity shown to us by the Webber family, who hosted us all for an amazing dinner last night. We met Tony, who spoke to us about the Merrimack chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which is active in this area. He was very inspirational, and made us all feel like we were the most awesome human beings for helping out with this cause, even though we are only here for one day. We have allocated some of this year's Bike and Build funds (about $110,000) to cover the costs of one house's construction in this chapter, which is really exciting. The more I learn about the affordable housing cause, and the more people I meet who are already involved, the more I want to do all I can.
In that vein, we headed to Lawrence today, where we split between two build sites. I went to a group of Habitat houses which were mostly all finished, but which needed fences. I thought, foolishly, that the build days would be a nice, relatively relaxing break from biking. Turns out, digging two foot holes in stony soil and mixing concrete to fill them is hot, time-consuming work. But Team Concrete conquered in the end, and our fence posts are looking great. We got to work with a future Habitat house owner, which was a lot of fun. All Habitat house owners, in addition to paying for their house (at cost), must complete 500 hours of "sweat equity" working. We helped out a little back at the other build site, where they are reconstructing a couple of houses that had been completed, but tragically burned in a fire earlier this year.
Tonight, we go back to the Webber's, where they have prepared a Thanksgiving dinner for us. To put this miracle in perspective, keep in mind that "us" is 31 ravenous, locust-like young people. It's really quite incredible. Thanks also to all of you, I wouldn't be here without your help!
(And tomorrow, back on the bike and on to Fitchburg.)
Friday, June 13, 2008
The Journey Begins!
So, Bike and Build begins!
At orientation, I met all my sweet and hardcore biking buddies, took a beautifully coastal "shakedown ride", and chilled with the awesome and generous people of St. Anthony's church. Today was our first official ride - Revere to Andover MA. We started off with a little ceremony at the Atlantic Ocean, dipping our rear tires in the water before we got in the road. We had a little existential moment when we realized we would be literally be riding in the same direction (roughly) until we can bike no further...
The daily route was not too lengthy in terms of miles (23), and not too hilly, although the first part was tricky, with much starting and stopping for traffic signals, had its moments. We did manage to take some wrong turns, but we arrived in time for a quick jaunt to town looking for bike stuff, as well as a glorious (although hard to find) pond swim.
I am so excited about this whole trip, and happy to be headed away from the first big city - I have decided city biking is definitely inferior to its rural counterpart. Tomorrow we have our first build day, and I think it will be a lot of fun to hammer, paint, and work on my weird tan lines with everyone.
ttc: 22i
At orientation, I met all my sweet and hardcore biking buddies, took a beautifully coastal "shakedown ride", and chilled with the awesome and generous people of St. Anthony's church. Today was our first official ride - Revere to Andover MA. We started off with a little ceremony at the Atlantic Ocean, dipping our rear tires in the water before we got in the road. We had a little existential moment when we realized we would be literally be riding in the same direction (roughly) until we can bike no further...
The daily route was not too lengthy in terms of miles (23), and not too hilly, although the first part was tricky, with much starting and stopping for traffic signals, had its moments. We did manage to take some wrong turns, but we arrived in time for a quick jaunt to town looking for bike stuff, as well as a glorious (although hard to find) pond swim.
I am so excited about this whole trip, and happy to be headed away from the first big city - I have decided city biking is definitely inferior to its rural counterpart. Tomorrow we have our first build day, and I think it will be a lot of fun to hammer, paint, and work on my weird tan lines with everyone.
ttc: 22i
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Salutations
Hello to all!
Welcome to my blog, and thanks for all your support, and for reading!
My plan is to keep up with this to the best of my ability throughout the summer, so check back for the latest stories, photos etc. I will certainly post at least once a week, and will do my best to keep it as updated as possible. Also check out our route tracker and communal Bike & Build blog, to which I will contribute as well. I would love to hear from all of you, so post back!
My bike trip starts on June 11, and right now life is a flurry of unpacking from school (I just got home), repacking for B&B, assembling my bicycling ingredients, and of course, biking. I am very excited, and have lots to do prepare, so this will be a short inaugural post.
Love to all,
Charlotte
ttc: 22i
Welcome to my blog, and thanks for all your support, and for reading!
My plan is to keep up with this to the best of my ability throughout the summer, so check back for the latest stories, photos etc. I will certainly post at least once a week, and will do my best to keep it as updated as possible. Also check out our route tracker and communal Bike & Build blog, to which I will contribute as well. I would love to hear from all of you, so post back!
My bike trip starts on June 11, and right now life is a flurry of unpacking from school (I just got home), repacking for B&B, assembling my bicycling ingredients, and of course, biking. I am very excited, and have lots to do prepare, so this will be a short inaugural post.
Love to all,
Charlotte
ttc: 22i
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