BikeandBuild.org

I made it!!!
Hey everyone,

It's been awhile since I've had internet and a lot has happened so this will be a decently long post about the events of the last week and a half. Once I get home (tomorrow night!) I will do a big wrap up what I've learned/how I feel post.

Kingman to Las Vegas, NV- I rode 72 out of 104 miles
~This was the most dangerous ride of the trip. We were going down into the hoover dam, then across it and climbing out of it in 120 degree heat. The other riders on the trip named it the death climb. I made it to just before the dam. At the security checkpoint 9 miles away, Jo and I both took a pretty bad spill. We were leaving the checkpoint and hit a bunch of gravel on the shoulder. We didn't hit each other but we both fell. I was bleeding pretty badly from my knee and my elbow. We walked back and the security guys sat me down in the air conditioned trailer and did some first aid. Jo found out the next day she had a sprained wrist. Once I got patched up I rode 9 miles to second lunch. Then I was still bleeding and was overheated and dizzy so I called it a day. We rode into Vegas where it POURED. It rains 10 times out of the year and we just happened to get caught in a flash flood. About 4 of our other riders took spills on the strip but none were hurt too badly.
~We had to wait around 2 hours before getting into our rooms. We showered and dolled ourselves up before heading to the buffet. I was supposed to go out dancing but I was still bleeding (recurring theme) and felt dizzy and just really exhausted so I passed out around 8:30.
~Instead of building, Jo and I went to the urgent care center to get checked out because I was still bleeding the next morning and her wrist really hurt. My bleeding finally stopped around 10:30.
~After a nap, Jess, Jo, Lynn, Emily, Devon and I walked around. We had dinner in Paris and watched the Fountain Show at the bellagio. While waiting, Jess, Emily, and I had an awkward dance party that an older man joined in on. This was the only time I really got to experience Vegas but I really enjoyed it.

Vegas to Baker, CA!!!!-76 miles descending into Hell.
~This was a LOL of a day if I do say so myself but I made it through it. One of the leaders discovered there was construction on I-15 at mile 50 and we would either have to do van shuttles or ride it. I got in the van first cause I didn't go on a roller coaster and got shuttled across. Immediately upon seeing the state of I-15 we realized van shuttles were a MUST. K-rud missed the memo and got caught in the construction but luckily he got onto the median and there was a lot more space. Lenny's girlfriend was visiting and stopped him and a bunch of people from going across and everyone was shuttled. There was a lot of fallout for the leader who didn't insist on van shuttles when he initially saw the construction but that's another story.
~The last 17 miles were all downhill which would make you think, YAY! But it was 110 degrees with wind hitting you from 3 directions. It got hotter as you descended making you feel like you were in a blast furnace. It was AWFUL
~We had a snack at the mad greek which I swear was on the food network.
~The heat really got to me and I got sick again but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the virus.

Baker to Barstow, CA 8/66 miles
~I think I injured my knee in the crash because it started giving me a lot of trouble. It felt like I was getting stabbed everytime I pedaled so I didn't make it very far.
~Barstow was pretty and we met the mayor which was nice. I enjoyed the church people a lot.

Barstow to Palmdale, CA 59/87 miles
~My knee hurt again so I iced it between first and second lunch before continuing. I rode into Palmdale which while in the desert still felt like civilization. The first stoplight came out of nowhere.
~Our hosts were INCREDIBLE. Definitely in the running for the top 5. They paid for an all you can eat buffet where they put all of our pictures on the wall. The mayor gave us a commendation. The hosts slept over with us and made us a DELICIOUS breakfast the next morning. One of the people had not only biked across the country, but he went from NY to San Fransisco, back up to montreal and down to NY, then flew to alaska to get back to CA. He showed us up. They also had 3 of us come to a Youth Build workday. Youth Build is an incredible program that allows high school drop outs or troubled youth to complete their education while doing community service and learning leadership skills from what I understand.
~Our last long day!!

Palmdale to Valencia, CA- 35 miles
~Short beautiful ride. We came out of the desert and the last 20 miles were a slight downhill through mountains.
~Upon arrival, Jo, Lynn, Emily and I headed to six flags. We didn't have much time but it was fun and we got on 4 roller coasters.

Valencia to Ventura 47 miles
~ Today was another short day so we stopped at a farm stand for 45 minutes. I had a delicious peach and strawberries. I would go there every day if I could.
~We also stopped for burgers and ice cream about 3 miles from the host.
~My knee started to kill me again the last 10 miles.
~Did I mention Ventura was at the beach?!?! WE MADE IT TO THE PACIFIC!
~I had my first In-N-Out experience picking up Kristian, our program director, with Sophie, Lenny, and Emily.
~Emma and I retaped our handlebar tape. BLUE CAMO. Pictures to come.

VENTURA TO SANTA BARBARA, CA-30 MILES!!!!
~INCREDIBLE day. We did superlatives in the morning. I won Gossip Whore and tied for most sarcastic. Shocking, I know. Then Jorge sent us off with an inspirational battle prayer.
~We rode 22 miles then all met up. On the way Sophie and I did abbreviated life stories and a bunch of people stopped for donuts.
~We rode the last 5 miles together. Upon arriving at the ocean we dropped our bikes, de-shoed, and RAN into the water. We had a celebration in the water where Jorge gave another inspirational speech and we did our favorite dogs in the house cheer. It was a moment to savor.
~Our friends and family were there to greet us/feed us. We dipped our tires in the water and celebrated.
~The 3 mile ride to the host was uphill with lots of stoplights. My knee didn't like it.
~We went out to dinner at Left at Albuquerques. We all got dressed up. Then we headed out afterwards and watched the Olympics at local bars. All in all a great day.

Build day
~We had a build day 75 miles away. We actually were pretty productive despite the fact they only thought 12 people were coming. Ooops.
~Lenny's dad took our car to In N Out and treated us to milkshakes/burgers. It was awesome.
~After dinner/presentation, we all boxed up our bikes and headed to a friend of allie's dad's house to watch the olympics. Michael Phelps 100M butterfly-OMG. Wow.

Today!
~Today has been a relaxing day. I woke up at 7:30 to see people off, then headed off to breakfast with everyone. I strolled down towards the beach with people, peeking in different shops. I bought two more dresses at an antique place. Then I hung out on the beach a bit before grabbing lunch and wandering back.
~My soda and coffee ban is lifted! Hallelujah!

More thoughtful post to come...