Happiness is Riding a Bicycle

I discovered true happiness while riding my bicycle. In riding more than 4000 miles across other country, my perceptions of people and places have been altered. I lived with 29 inspiring individuals for almost 80 days. 29 best friends. 30 people including myself, working for a common cause.
            We had awkward Hello's and sad Goodbyes, but in between these times there was a radical transformation. We had to learn to trust, to communicate, to care for one another. Whether it be on the bike or at a build site, we had to follow those values. Persistence, perseverance, and passion, we followed those P's to a T. We rode up mountains at more than 11,000 feet. We shingled a house for almost 12 hours. No feat was too large as long as we worked together.
            This summer I was introduced me to a whole new way of living. The material things in life were left by the wayside. My bike, my bin, and my Camelbak became my only essentials. After riding a 100 mile day, all I needed was a home cooked meal and a place to lay upon my Thermarest. Eat, sleep, ride. It became a simple routine. But there was never a day like the one before. Each ride was a unique experience, an opportunity to savor all that we have in this country. On build days, each housing organization is run differently. We were always assigned a different task. I met some incredible families, super cool build supervisors,and other selfless volunteers.
             A paradigm shift has occurred in how I view life. The grass is greener, and there's no mountain I can't conquer.  Whether it be Chinese food or karaoke,I’ve become less wary of trying something new. I no longer measure success in terms of grades and awards. Success comes in many different forms.  I discovered that success is an outcome of collaboration with others.  My 29friends and I committed our summer to biking across the country, to making a difference, to learning about who we truly are.
            As an individual, I’ve learned to be honest. I’ve learned to take breaks. I’ve learned to relax.  The little obstacles of each day were just small road blocks in the scope of the whole summer.  Broken bike parts and boards that weren’t nailed right, those were things we could fix. People are not as easily fixed as bikes are. Being safe on the road was always one of my ultimate goals. I care for my 29 friends and the countless other cyclists who cross the country each year.  I pray for wide shoulders and no semi-trucks. I pray for blue skies and tailwinds.

 I hope that each rider has discovered the happiness I have through riding a bicycle across the country.  Letting out cathartic breaths out each time I reached a mountain top, spontaneously swimming in various lakes,reaching a new state and posing victoriously for the camera; all are factors that allowed me to have the greatest summer of my life.

I’m not sure how life after Bike & Build is going to be. I’ll miss the chants,the second lunches, and the host showers. I’ll miss my 29 best friends, but there’s one thing I am certain about.

I’m going to keep on riding. I’ll continue to cruise through valleys, to struggle up hills, but I’m going to keep on going. Because it’s what I love to do. 

On the Ocean

Yesterday was our last ride. It was just a 30 mile ride, but there was one coastal mountain we had to climb. During the morning we sang songs and did chants. Nick and I were on sweep so we were the last ones to the restaurant where we all met before riding to the beach as one large family. 

It was incredible. Wet hugs were shared. I have biked more than 4000 miles this summer. I have made new best friends. I have climbed mountains. I have seen the beauty of this country. I can't believe it's been 76 days since this journey began. I'm sad that it is ending, but I'm going to treasure each and every memory I have of P2C.

At the beach the parents greeted us with whoops and hollers. We dipped our front tire into the water to signify that our bikes made it from ocean to ocean. We sprayed each other with champagne. We sang. We laughed. We danced.

We started from Rhode Island, and now we're here. Half Moon Bay, CA. 

I love you P2C.

-Sarah

Last Build Day, Framing Style

Today was our last build day of the trip. I really enjoyed working with Stockton Habitat for Humanity. Also a shout out to the church we're staying at for making the most delicious breakfast ever. At the worksite we worked on the framing of the house. Team Wall-E worked hammered hard and constructed many walls.

It was a hot one today, but we worked at a steady pace. There were some "trick" nails that just kept bending. With some hammer practice those became less of an issue. We had to line ran stud up with the X's. Once the wall was completed the other group would cover the boards and stand them up on the foundation! It was really cool seeing how a few boards can create the beginnings of a home.

I decided to model in the future window of the home. I was also pretty proud of my work. It's not easy hammering nails all day long! 

We also did our last paintstar picture. Finding a tractor makes any picture fantastic. I can't believe our trip is comings to an end in just a few days! I loved working with various affordable housing groups this summer.

It has been a blast.

Off to Palo Alto tomorrow!

-Sarah

Palo Alto, You Fancy

Today we rode to Palo Alto, home of Mark Zuckerberg from Facebook! Lydia is from Palo Alto and showed us his house. This morning was super muggy, and I kept seeing more and more palm trees!

The ride was pretty flat and easy. We had lunch in downtown Livermore which was actually pretty nice. There was a fountain I put my head in.

Today was also our last lunch which was pretty sad. We took our time and savored our last day of devouring food together. About ten miles into the second half of the ride the humidity in the air shifted. It was so strange, but the weather felt amazing. Arriving in Palo Alto was great too because there were some awesome shops in town. I bought some great coffee, and then Lydia's family provided is with a stellar dinner.

I had to buy some new fun shades because my other ones broke today. I was also eating funfetti cake so it was double the fun.

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY LAST DAY IS TOMORROW!

See ya soon ocean.

-Sarah

Lakes and Palmtrees

The ride to Stockton was fantastic. There was a long and winding road that was beautiful to travel on. There was also

 Some uphill mixed with the downhill, but I survived. There was a great lake that we were surrounded by the whole time.

At lunchtime we hung out awhile because it was a 52 mile day. I posed at lunch when Rachel was least expecting it.

During the afternoon I rode with Mark, Hannah, Vant, and Johnny. It was a. Nice and flat ride, and we rode past a ton of flowers and shrubbery. Tonight we are having a BBQ at a clubhouse on a lake with a pool!

There are also palm trees now, and that is extremely exciting.

I'm really stoked to be working with the Stockton habitat for humanity tomorrow! 

I must jump in the pool now!

-Sarah

The Climb and the Descent

We woke up this morning, and it was pretty chilly out. Vant, Brian, Amanda, and I had a lazy morning and stuck around town until it warmed up a bit. The first forty miles of the ride were seriously all uphill. We went up to about 8000 feet.

This was on top of one of the passes. Our lunch spot was also pretty scenic too. The Sierra Nevadas are tough but a wonderful mountain range.

After getting some grub, the afternoon was a breeze. We descended to about 1600 feet! I haven't been this low in ages!   Forty miles goes by a lot more quickly when it's all downhill!  I noticed how the conifers I sped by gradually shifted to light seeking plants. It also got super hot out!

In Sutter Creek we actually walked by some plants growing grapes. The town was pretty nice and had an Old Tyme feel. I found a track and ran a mile also.

I've always wanted to go for a run in California. Sunshine and running. They just seem to go together wonderfully. I can't wait to go to Stockton tomorrow because we will be building there!

-Sarah

Lake Tahoe Adventures

Yesterday we had a day off on Lake Tahoe. It was probably one of my favorite days on Bike & Build. I slept in until almost 10, and our group leader made pancakes!  In the morning a group of us went for a hike and saw some waterfalls.

In the afternoon we went to the beach, and I paddle boarded for the first time! It was spectacular. Vant and I both tried to stand up on it at once which was quite difficult.

I loved swimming in Lake Tahoe. We stayed until the sun began to set. The whole area was stunning.

After the beach we went to this great restaurant called Sprouts. I got a Real Tahoe Turkey Sandwich aka the most delicious sandwich I have ever had. I could get used to the California life. That's for sure. My next post is about The ride to Sutter Creek!

-Sarah