Flashing and Staple Guns

I was really excited to have a build day today. It was a nice break from biking, and I had fun throughout the day. First we were given some gloves at the worksite, and they were very stylish so a couple of us modeled them.

Hannah, Mark, Vant, and I were the flasher group which meant we had to install some flashing where the windows would be put in. This required a lot of measuring and the use of a staple gun. Eventually some strong guys installed the windows, and it really made the house look more like an actual house!

During the afternoon Nic, Jason, Dexter, Nick, and I worked on wrapping the house. I had a really good time with the staple gun. I had to make sure the wrap was right and flush to the walls. Jason and I also did some modeling but unfortunately without Hannah and Lydia.

We definitely look intense with our powerful tools. I was impressed with how  much progress we had made on the home. Our group also met a homeowner of another Habitat home. The owner has four kids and plans on going to pharmacy school. She was originally from Cameroon, and her husband has his Phd in GIS. I'm happy that Habitat allows people to receive an education because house payments are low. 

I've enjoyed Sparks, but I am ready to ride to Lake Tahoe tomorrow! California here we come!

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 9: Sparks, Nevada

It was the last day of the Best Nine. It was just 80 miles between me and my destination. The host cooked us an awesome breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon this morning! They were extremely appreciative of what Bike & Build does. I started off this morning with Vant, Hannah, and Eric. We played games for the first twenty miles.

I was feeling goofy at the top of one of our climbs. For the next twenty miles the four of us did some pace lining. For the last 5 miles we had a 10 person pace line. It felt like we were taking over the Nevada roads. After lunch Vant and I took on the last few miles of Route 50. I was so happy to turn onto another road, but it was just one long hill. After a snack break we made it to the top of Geiger Pass!

We climbed 2800 feet over 11 miles. The descent was spectacular. It was just 8 miles of easy riding. The sight of Reno was amazing.

Biking through Reno was awesome because there were bike lanes and beautiful houses. It's nice to finally be in an actual city! After arriving at the host, we took a 15 mile van ride to the California border to meet up with Maya. Maya has to leave the trip early because she is going to grad school in Norway! A few other riders rode with her also. I decided to take a break from riding so I could cheer her on.

It's been a hard, fast, nine days of riding. I can't believe I've gone 760 miles in the past nine days! Our second to last build day is tomorrow. I'm ready. I love P2C.

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 8: Fallon, Nevada

We woke up this morning at 4:30 AM. It was 48 degrees, and there was a rather large struggle to get our of my sleeping bag. To warm up before the ride, I got some coffee at a local cafe. Then Vant , Anna, and I took off together. It was still chilly, but we cruised through the beginning of the ride successfully. I was honorary sweep at first, but then Anna wasn't feeling well so I took over with Vant. I was pretty excited to be in the desert and sweeping.

From first lunch to second lunch, Vant and I rode at a steady pace. We caught up to Annamaria and Amanda and rode with them until second lunch at mile 90!

I did a nice over the shoulder shot of my peers. I thought it was pretty cool. I also thought we were stranded in the desert. I almost got blown over by a little sand storm at one point. I also saw actually sand dunes!

The last twenty miles slowly crept by, but the four of us made the most of it by having some good conversation. We finally had host dinner tonight, and it was fantastic. It was very much needed after a 110 mile day!

Last day of Best Nine tomorrow!

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 5: Ely, Nevada

I had a great start to my ride today with Hannah and Mark. There were a lot of climbs and a lot of headwind. There were also windmills which makes sense.

I hit 45 mph on my bike today. There was a long straightaway of open road, and it was fantastic. I don't think I want to go much faster than that though! The wind really made it difficult. I trekked to lunch, and it was a long and tedious climb. Once I got there, I let my inner cowboy come out.

In the Wild West sometimes you just gotta be wild. I took a nap at lunch because it was just a 64 mile day. I took off afterward with Doug, Nick, and Brian. Doug and I stormed up the 9 me climb together. The descent was pretty awesome. We ended up pace lining to a sweet lake.

Apparently there are lakes in Nevada. I never knew. And mountains, more mountains than I would like to climb, but I conquer them regardless! We are staying at a Shoshone recreation center tonight. 

Shh Shoshone

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 7: Austin, Nevada

Today I rode with Team America's Next Top Model because we had a photo shoot during our ride! 

Hannah, Jason, Rachel, and I took it pretty easy in the morning. Our group also played knock out before leaving today!

The wind picked up quite a bit after lunch. Fortunately I was fueled up from the good groceries we got to devour today. There was a big climb during the afternoon, but me, Jason, and Hannah took them on together. We reached the top of Austin Summit, after being tricked by a false summit. That's when you think you're at the top of a mountain, and you aren't!

We went down the mountain, and there were some intense curves. The group is staying in a park tonight. It's pretty grassy. There was also a wedding, and the bride got pushed up a hill in a wheelbarrow. It was an interesting tradition to witness.

110 whole miles tomorrow!

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 6: Eureka, Nevada

I started off my ride this morning with Rachel and Lydia. One of our Leander's made pancakes this morning, and they really set a positive tone for the day. The group also played some knock out before departing so it added an extra pump of excitement to our morning. The first 40 miles of the ride were pretty easy. We casually rode our bikes up a few summits before lunch. 

You can just see down the road for miles! It's incredible, but it was a little lonely on the open range.

The second half of the day was much more intense. There was a furious crosswind that impeded our progress. Eventually Vant and I made it to the top of Pancake Summit!

There was one more climb after this summit which we didn't reach the top of until mile 72. From there we descended, and I reached 50.8 miles per hour for just a moment! I'm now part of the over 50 club which many others became part of today too! (Disclaimer: It was a straight downhill road where I felt entirely in control.) 

  Eureka is a pretty small town, but ingot a fantastic grilled chicken sandwich from one of the restaurants. It hit the spot. We actually only have 70 miles of riding tomorrow instead of 110! 

Nevada is not flat.

-Sarah

The Best Nine: Day 4: Baker, Nevada

Today I woke up from a delightful slumber and went to Penny's Diner for an awesome breakfast of French Toast and scrambled eggs.

The first 10 miles were pretty rough because it was all uphill and into the wind. We reached the summit at about 6300 feet and then had a sweet descent, and then we climbed again to the same exact height! 

After lunch we had a third climb that brought back up to 6300 feet. I really didn't think Utah was that hilly! Eventually we caught a tailwind, and it was magnificent. Eric, Matt, Vant, Nic, and I entered Nevada together.

We stopped at a cafe in Baker a few miles outside our campsite. I literally had the best ice cream sandwich ever. We had to wait out a storm for awhile, but eventually we made to our campsite with the help of a sweet tailwind. Nevada is actually pretty beautiful so far. We will be biking along "The Loneliest Highway in America" for the next few days. It's just 9 towns until we reach our build day in Sparks, NV and a lot of miles!

I'm ready for another night of camping!

-Sarah