So Many Hills

Now let me tell you. Connecticut has a lot of hills. I knew this yesterday, but today was far more intense. My two buddies and I pedaled up hills like champions. It's really impossible to stop in the middle of a hill. It totally ruins your momentum. So I just kept doing it. I also at ice cream at lunch time. Fro-yo technically. It was needed. And now I've had Ice cream from two states.

We didn't get iin until late today because it was so hilly. I rode 60 miles, the most I have ever ridden. But I feel great. I just love riding and being around people. Another build day tomorrow! Hopefully I get to pose with a plant like this again.

Oh also. Our hosts here are awesome. We were provided with air mattresses! We also played some volleyball after rising with church kids too. So far Danbury has given us great hospitality!

-Sarah

Hello Hills

Today we had a nice 48 mile jaunt from Plainfield to Middletown, Connecticut. It's thrilling to clim up hills and then zoom down them. We were pretty speedy today too. I was amped up because we had pancakes and French toast this morning. We stopped at a giant eagle rock and took some pictures too.

I'm just beginning to realize how many awesome places I will soon begin to encounter. Rachel, Eric, and I discovered this castle/ wedding reception place. I saw the most beautiful roses ever.

Oh yeah. Our van is also painted now. There's a dinosaur and unicorn biking on he side of it.

We are constantly spoiled by hosts, and I love all of the delicious food we have been cooked lately. There is so much hospitality, and it's only been several days. Well I'm off to Danbury tomorrow, and with new biking shoes because I just realized I have been wearing two different sizes. Silly bike store! I'm having a blast though. 

I gotta keep trekking up those hills!

Sarah

Bon Voyage!

Today we dipped our tires into the Atlantic Ocean in Providence. My parents took some awesome pictures. It was a bit surreal to actually be beginning the journey.

I took off for Plainfield, Connecticut but unfortunately got a flat right away. My teammates quickly helped me hangs it though. My friend Rachel and I posed on a bridge on our ride through a bike trail.

We got a lost a few times because of bike trail closures, and we encountered very high hills. I was cruisin downhill at more than 30 mph!  We rode 38 miles today, and this was followed by 38 push ups and 38 dips. Dedication. I know.  We had a delicious dinner made by people of the church we are staying at.

I'm also trying to go to an ice cream stand in each state. I hit up a Rhode Island one en route to Connecticut.  My chore group had to do laundry tonight. It was quite an endeavor. Off to Danbury tomorrow! 

Sarah

First Build

Today P2C went to a build site in Providence. I did a whole lot of landscaping. I enjoyed cutting down many weeds and dead trees. The Lorax may have been unhappy with me. I also sledgehammered some cement.

 It was rewarding as destroying things often is. We also spread a lot of dirt around and had an awesome lunch given to us by chipotle. Later I went to the bike shop to get my pedals fixed and a bike fit. They did it all for free. I was thrilled. 

I need to take more pictures, but we a really awesome one on scaffolding that I don't have possession of yet. I'm working on this blog thing.

Tomorrow is the day. We shall launch our bikes into the Atlantic Ocean and then leave! Whoa! I will be saying goodbye to my parents and my friend Rachel. I'm a little nervous, but I'm ready!

Later gator

Sarah

Rainy Days

Oh man. First six am wake up call. We went to this awesome diner called Louis' for breakfast, and I got some awesome banana pancakes. I drank a lot of coffee too, but I fear I'll be going through caffeine withdrawal soon. 

     Today we mostly went over safety stuff about cycling, and let me tell you there is a lot to know. I practiced changing a flat tire and was successful.  Here's a picture of our bikes all on the stage:

Yeah. There are a whole lot of bikes. Then we took those babies outside in the rain and practiced some drills. It was intense. But it was all worth it because we ended up biking 20 miles around Providence. The city biking was intimidating at first, but the bike path along the bay was fantastic.

We had a nice photo in the rain. A waterproof cell phone case was a great investment. We may have gotten slightly lost on the way back, but nobody in my group got a flat. Later after showering at Brown university (Yes Ivy League schools do have beautiful facilities.). 

  Then off we went to dinner, and it was scrumptious. The hosts were awesome. We ended up in a food coma on the couch.

Man! What a day! More group bonding, and then tomorrow we shall build. 

Sayonara

Orientation P2C

Alas. I made it to Providence for Bike & Build. My time sleeping in and sleeping in a bed has ended. There was a lot of orientating with name games and lots of safety talk. I posed in front of the trailer that is coming with us throughout the trip. 

My bin of belongings will stay in there the whole journey.  We will be painting it tomorrow because that is last year's design. There may be dinosaurs involved. We had some delicious chilli made by our host tonight. Also shout to churches with wifi. I received American flag handlebar tape for biking 780 miles before the trip. I I've prizes, and I'm super stoked to put it on my bike!

Now I'm about to get ready to sleep because we're getting up at 6 am for a practice run through tomorrow. I've met some awesome people today, and I'm excited to learn more about everybody tomorrow!

Ready to Ride

Ahhh, It is midnight, and I must sleep because Bike & Build begins tomorrow.  I've done some marathon packing and consolidated everything basically into one bin.  I had to get a few last minute items today, but I have to say the guy at Advance Cyclery in Syracuse was pretty awesome.  There are so many bike shops in Syracuse though.  I can't pick a favorite!

Life is Good

It's nothing short of a miracle, but I'm kind of all set.  Now all I need is some sleep so that I am ready for a glorious first day tomorrow!   Recently I took a nice ride with my new camelbak and safety triangle.  It was swell.  Although I got a flat.  And my pump malfunctioned, so I rode like ten miles standing up so that I didn't put any weight on the back tire. 

Lookin' cute

I also mastered the clipless pedals.  Now I feel like a real cyclist.  I ended up riding 780 miles this spring.  Now I'm ready to do 4000+ more.  I will be riding in seventeen states, and building in ten of them.  I hope to keep this update depending on the wifi situation.

To a summer of Biking & Building!  Thanks everybody.


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