It's Real Hot in Utah

Today we had a fantastic day building with Community Rebuilds. We woke up to a host breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage this morning! We haven't had breakfast made by a host in awhile so it was fantastic. At the build site I destroyed some bushes to make spaces for parking spaces. 16 people will be living in the home I worked on. These 16 students are interns and work to build a home in 4 months. It's really pretty awesome being part of a house's creation.

The backyard also had an amazing view of the canyon.

It was sweltering hot, but I made it through. The second part of the day I worked on demolition of a trailer. The construction guy literally destroyed half of it with a bobcat.

I was pretty excited with the result. There was a lot of clean up involved. The trailer needed to be destroyed to make space for a new home. We were part of the beginning stages of the creation of a new space for a family. It was very interesting to work with a group that is not Habitat for Humanity. I like that this group builds in alternative ways.

I can't wait for our day off tomorrow! We're going rafting!

-Sarah

Chasing Blue Skies

Today I rode with Rachel, and it was a great ride. There were a few big climbs but nothing like the passes we've been going up the past few days. The mountains looked beautiful with the clouds billowing around them this morning.

Rachel and I pedaled uphill for awhile, but then we went downhill for about 20 miles. Unfortunately there was some cold rain too, and we ended up missing he lunch spot. It didn't matter too much though. We had some snacks and admired the canyon.

I felt like I was traveling on all different types of terrain today. I climbed hills, observed mountains, biked into canyons, and then I ended up on a country road with some rolling hills. Rachel and I stopped to watch some cute sheep in a field.

Rachel and I "won" Bike & Build for the day by making it to Naturita first. I really liked the sign.

Unfortunately there was a flood in the school we were supposed to stay at so we had to bike another 4 miles to Nucla to stay at a high school! There was a massive storm after we arrived, but we all survived. 

I can't wait for Moab! I love you Colorado, but I'm ready to go to Utah!

-Sarah

Montrose Mania

Working with the Montrose Habitat for Humanity was fantastic. It was a bit overcast out, but we made it a great day for building!

With my coffee in hand, I was ready to start hammering some foam to the walls. We also wrapped two whole houses with a special insulation wrap. It was difficult because you had to have everything tight and flush, but we managed. Charlotte, Vant, and I worked hard with our foam cutting and made some good progress. Then I had to take a break with the usual crew for our photo shoot.

I also helped run a bike clinic with Michelle to teach a boy about bike safety.

We made an obstacle course, but the one boy that showed up didn't bring his helmet! We tried to stress the importance of protecting the brain. 

   The construction manager was really awesome, and she was great to work with. Unfortunately they often obly have about 4 volunteers. One of the houses ended up looking like this:

Johnny, our leader also made a cameo, and there was limbo at the end of the build day. 

For dinner we had food delivered from Chilli's! Then we had our family meeting and an impromptu dance party and some makeovers. It's been a grand day of building and being goofy with some of my favorite people!

-Sarah

The Last 15 Miles Are Sometimes the Best

This morning I awoke to Johnny's voice on the ice rink loudspeaker. It was majestic. Then we went outside and saw a hot air balloon in the sky! I knew that it was bound to be a great day.

I rode with Johnny, Hannah, Brian, Nic, and Doug. We called ourselves Team Bean because we spent about an hour in the local coffee shop this morning. We sped through the first twenty miles, and it was beautiful.

There were a couple of intense climbs, but we made it through. We posed with an elk statue also.

After lunch there was an intense uphill to Cerro Summit. It wasn't as bad as our other climbs, but it was still tough. The last 15 miles of the ride were amazing though. It was all downhill, and I rode furiously into the city of Montrose! I finally got a derailleur, and we had some good sloppy joes for dinner. 

I can't wait to build tomorrow!

-Sarah 

Monarch Pass

Ah yes, a pattern is occurring. The day before the Hoosier Pass we actually did the Ute Pass. There are just a lot of passes lately. 

So we started off at 7083 feet this morning and climbed to the top of Monarch Pass which is at 11,312 feet. It was basically 25 miles of hard climbing. I started off with Doug, Nick, Hannah, Lydia, and Vant. Eventually it was just me and the 3 guys and then just me and Vant. On mountains you have to take breaks. Snacks are essential to surviving. And so when I was feeling super fatigued I shoved a granola bar down my throat and then kept going. Having a partner to climb with is motivating, and there were also inspiring chalk messages along the way!

The top was pretty cool, and there was this strange gift store at the top that I went into to take a picture of my accomplishment.

And creepy statues.

The top of the mountain was super cold, and we had to take a break in the van while I down poured for awhile. After that we flew down the mountain, and I was amazed at the temperature change. The last 20 miles were super windy, but we made it to Gunnison!

I also got to rock climb and swim at this super awesome recreation center where we showered. I basically got to do all of my favorite things today!

We're off to Montrose tomorrow, and I'm praying for no more mountain passes! I love mountains, but I need a break from biking up them!

-Sarah

Hoosier Pass

Yesterday we biked to Salida by climbing up Hoosier Pass. It's elevation is 11,542 feet. Considering that we started in Breckenridge at 9,600 feet, it was quite the 10 mile climb. Jason and I were sweep for the day so we started off slow.  We explored the city of Breckenridge a bit and saw some nice shops. The city must much more crowded in the winter because its main source of tourism are the ski slopes. The climb to the top of the pass was pretty intense. I stopped for a break at one point.

 A Bike & Build Alumni left us gummi bears at the top! 

The descent was spectacular. Salida is at 7083 feet so we had a long way to go down throughout the day! I kept having to put on layers and then take them off because of the change in elevation!

We had to eat super quickly at lunch because rain was heading our way, so we pushed ourselves to reach the host and made it by 4:15!

You can't really tell too well, but there is a giant S for Salida on top of a huge hill in town. I also tried to get my bike fixed, but unfortunately they didn't have the part I needed. Dinner was awesome, and he host provided us with ham, broccoli, and baked potatoes. I love home cooked meals. 

More passes to climb still!

-Sarah

Breckenridge and Bikes

Today we had a beautiful ride to Breckenridge. Hannah, Lydia, KSmalls, and I started off together, and we rode through a spectacular canyon.

The scenery we saw throughout the day was great. I observed giant  rock structures of all sorts.

We had quite a climb to lunch, but the descent was totally worth it.

I couldn't stop and take many pictures because I was cruising down the mountain. It felt so exhilarating. The rest of the day we rode on a really impressive bike path. It took us all the way to Breckenridge. 

We're camping tonight! I hope it's not too chilly! We're currently at 9600 feet in elevation. That's pretty high. I'm ready for

More riding tomorrow!

-Sarah

Riding in the Rockies: The Most Epic Day Ever

I woke up this morning and drank my daily coffee in preparation for the most epic day ever. We would be riding through Rocky Mountain National Park. I ascended up Trail Ridge Road at a very slow pace. Sometimes you can't sprint up mountains.

The ride was also terrifying because the derailer on my bike fell off as I began riding after a rest stop. Luckily there were no cars in sight and the rest area was just 100 feet away. Katie, one of our leaders was driving the van today, and she loaned me her bike. I was at mile 21, and I still had 9 more miles to climb to get to the summit. I was I happy and relieved that I was still able to ride to the top. A couple of the guys helped me out when it first happened. I love my

P2C family even more because they were looking out for me. 

    Those last 9 miles were a fight, but I managed. At the summit I was famished and ate a large pretzel, and a group of us got together for a picture.

The view outside was incredible too.

Vant and I climbed a bunch of steps to a high point at the summit and did an awesome jumping picture.

The ride to the top of the mountain was mentally and physically exhausting, but I did it. I started at 7500 feet and ended up at around 11760 feet. It is the most amazing thing I have ever done. People in cars cheered us on, and fellow cyclists encouraged us to keep going. I descended the mountain at a safe pace, and I took in my surroundings. 

America truly is beautiful. Vant and I rode together for the rest of the ride into Granby, and there was a beautiful lake.

I pretty much just want to move to Colorado one day because it is incredible. I am so fortunate to be here. The mountains spoke to me today. They told me to keep climbing, to keep riding, to keep loving. So that's what I did.

-Sarah

Estes Park is Amazing

Yesterday I was superbly tired from climbing a mountain toward Estes Park, so I'll catch you up with the momentous day today. We had a very steep 2 miles climb with switch backs that were painful to bike up.

The morning was pretty easy. Nic, Rachel, Mark, and I rode together. It was peaceful riding toward the hills. It was surreal to actually be in the mountains. I got a picture at the top of the summit.

Climbing to 8000 feet was pretty incredible. After the ride Nic, Yudi, Rachel, Vant, and I decided to go for a hike in Estes Park. We took a shuttle to Bear Lake. The shuttles took forever, but I was worth it. We hiked toward Emerald Lake.

As you can tell Colorado is amazing, and I want to stay here forever. After the hike we got some delicious pizza and finally went back to the host! It was a full day if activities. My next post I will discuss my day in the Rockies!

-Sarah

Habitat Hospitality

This morning we woke up and biked directly to build site for breakfast. We ate at a homeowner's home. They made us pancakes! Working with Loveland Habitat for Humanity was great. We painted a whole house! I also hammered at some tresses in the garage. I also posed with the usual crew.

Then we had lunch, and it was so scrumptious I had to document it's greatness. I have fallen in love with Chipotle and burritos.

After the build my friend Lindsay came up from Denver to tour around with me. We went to a sculpture garden. It was pretty peaceful.

After perusing around Loveland, Lindsay brought me back to the church where we were hosting a bike clinic for children. It was pretty cute, and members of our group taught the kids a lot about safety. Lindsay left, and we had a long heartfelt hug goodbye.

She told me all about life in Colorado. I think that waking up to mountains outside your window everyday would be incredible.

I went for a short run and took this picture at the top of a hill. I just wanted to  stare at its beauty forever. I can't wait to actually conquer these mountains!

-Sarah

A Lovely Ride to Loveland

It was a beautiful morning for a bike ride. After eating some delicious pastries donated by a local bakery, I was ready for nice stretch of riding. Vant and I took off down the road out of Fort Morgan, and eventually we caught up with Jason, so we rode with him too. There were a lot of sunflowers on the side of the road, and I modeled a few through my helmet. Then we saw goats.

They talked to us a lot, and I talked to them. They also liked to get up close and personal.

The guys and I continued for ride along on a scenic country road. 

We biked 46 miles to lunch, and by that time I was starving! I ate some food and then rode with some more of our crew during the afternoon. Vant and I stopped in Greeley to take a burrito break. I was all about the chips and guacamole! Towards the end of the ride we saw the Rockies!

We arrived in Loveland, and the church we are staying at is brand new. The downtown area is pretty nice too. It has a ton of sculptures.

I like making movies, so this was my favorite one. I'm ready to build tomorrow!

-Sarah

Storms Galore

There was something ominous in the air when I awoke this morning. Then I got to my bike and had a flat, along with several other people. We had to ride to Fort Morgan, and the ride was off to a slow start. About 5 miles before the first lunch there was a huge tailwind, and I was able to go downhill at 44 miles per hour! It was awesome because lunch was at the bottom of the hill in the middle of nowhere.

The wind was super intense. Vant took out the flag to see how we'll he could run with it. Not so well it turns out.

Matt and I took off after first lunch at a good pace. The sky was darkening at an extreme rate, and I had a feeling we were going to have to seek refuge somewhere.

(Photo Credit: Vant Lammers)

So it started to rain, and as soon as we saw a gas station, it lightninged. A crew was already there getting settled in for a long afternoon. We thought we would only have to wait an hour for the storm to subside, but the lightning just kept coming. Rachel looked like a homeless girl stuck at the gas station.

Those were tough times. One of the leaders told us that 14 people had been struck by lightning in. Colorado in the past week, and we wouldn't be finishing our ride for the day. I cursed the skies for cutting our ride short. I wanted to ride. I was ready to ride. I was born to ride. But safety comes first.

   I've come to accept that not all things in life go according to plan. I'm riding as part of a team, and our team sticks together. I spent the rest of the afternoon in the gas station playing games and waiting to be shuttled to the host. It was strange to ride in the van for the remainder of the day. One day I'd like to come back to finish the stretch I didn't do today.

   At the host I actually ran for the first time since January! It made my day because I missed running quite a bit. I also played knockout, and I was super close to winning. 

   My fingers are crossed that our ride to Loveland will sunny and beautiful. Gotta keep on rolling. Gotta keep on doing what I came here to do.

-Sarah