Meira Shuman
Southern U.S. 2010
Hello! Thanks for checking out my Bike and Build page! My name is Meira Shuman, but I've also gone by "Becky" in the past. I’m originally from Gainesville, FL, where I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelors in Anthropology. Our town is famous for it's football craziness (who hasn't heard of the Florida Gators?), but it also has a sizable population of homeless people. When I was a little girl, my mother would take me with her to serve food at St. Francis House, a homeless shelter. (I think I mainly sat in the dining area and gleefully munched on thickly buttered bread while everyone else did real work.) At that young naive age, I thought the problem was just not enough houses. That was closer to the truth than I realized. The problem is that not enough homes are affordable to people in a country where people slave all day for minimum wage and have to stretch their dollars to afford rent, utilities, food, clothing, medical care, childcare, transportation, etc etc.
Now that I'm older, I understand more about how complex and yet simple many of our societal problems are. There are endless possibilities to make the world a better place. But they're all babysteps. I want to take more leaps! I took a nice big leap after UF by moving to California to do a year of AmeriCorps as an academic mentor at a juvenile hall. Every day working in that type of environment was a struggle which was more than compensated for by all the wonderful connections I made with the kids. I learned a lot about generational poverty, the problems with our educational and juvenile justice systems, and basically had my eyes opened to a whole new world of problems in our country. It's all connected in one big tangled skein. I definitely became very angry at times, frustrated at feelings of helplessness when change could be so simple and easy. My long-term dream became to open my own group home for troubled teens, in order to tackle a variety of issues in one fell swoop!
So that's my current direction. After being a gypsy for a while, traveling across the country, volunteering at the Gesundheit! Institute (farm/hospital/school founded by Patch Adams) and exploring graduate schools, I have returned to Gainesville to buckle down, work at a preschool, volunteer as a phone counselor, and start preparing for Bike and Build. I was recently accepted to Appalachian State University, where I will study Counseling and the Expressive Arts.
I heard about Bike and Build from the friend of a B&B alumni. I love being active in the outdoors and challenging myself, so was already planning a bike trip across the country. I was hesitant to go alone, because even though I was excited at this test of my abilities, I knew (and was told repeatedly) that my mother would have a daily heart attack worrying about her daughter alone on the side of the highway, at the mercy of crazy drivers and serial killers who lie in wait for little girls on bikes. Oy vey!! But when I heard about Bike and Build, it was like a dream come true!!
I'm so excited to be a part of something like this! I can't wait to start training for the ride, yet I must admit that the idea of fundraising $4000 is almost overwhelming. But it can be done! And it must! I have learned that most of our limitations are self-imposed. In addition to biking, I plan to stay active by running, rock climbing, dancing, hula hooping, etc. This summer is going to be a blast!!!! See you all in May!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
Day off in Ely, NV.
We've had a hard week of biking. Plenty of mountains. I have a hate/love relationship with my bike. Only two weeks to the end of this trip. Crazy.
Uploaded more photos.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3096890&id=2028510&l=e189b32eff
I'm exhausted. I think I started to get a fever yesterday. So I'll take it easy today (don't freak out mom!). Eat, sleep, sleep, eat, chill out, finish Everything is Illuminated (great book!), explore the Shoshone reservation that we're staying on, eat, sleep.
We're starting to look at Grant Applications, which is really exciting. We finally get to see where our money will be going.
Still don't know what I'm going to do with my life. Looking for a "serious job" in Gainesville. Plenty of options, but nothing clicks yet. The real world seems so far away when all I see every day is sun and sand and pavement.
We've had a hard week of biking. Plenty of mountains. I have a hate/love relationship with my bike. Only two weeks to the end of this trip. Crazy.
Uploaded more photos.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3096890&id=2028510&l=e189b32eff
I'm exhausted. I think I started to get a fever yesterday. So I'll take it easy today (don't freak out mom!). Eat, sleep, sleep, eat, chill out, finish Everything is Illuminated (great book!), explore the Shoshone reservation that we're staying on, eat, sleep.
We're starting to look at Grant Applications, which is really exciting. We finally get to see where our money will be going.
Still don't know what I'm going to do with my life. Looking for a "serious job" in Gainesville. Plenty of options, but nothing clicks yet. The real world seems so far away when all I see every day is sun and sand and pavement.
Here we are on the North Rim!! There's not much to say about today, our Day Off, since all I've done really is sleep, eat, sit and look out at the beautiful scenery, eat, sit, sleep, anddd yeah... that's about it.
Some folks went on a hike today. Not quite sure why (or rather, how). Yesterday we walked to the lookout and it was a chore to just walk up the steps back to our campsite! These past few days have really taken a toll on all of us. My quads have begged to be left alone for 24 hours and I must comply.
We've had a week of intense riding, leading up to this day off: There was a century (102 miles) into Page, AZ. We were told not to push ourselves because the following day would actually be "The Hardest Day of Bike & Build." Not intimidating at all, eh?
(I have decided not to pay attention to a single thing told to us about our ride. We have been told that days would be hard climbs, but then they ended up being smooth and flat or even downhill. Other days were said to be easy, and I ended up wanting to ram my bike into a car because the hills or headwind were never-ending and I hated my life. So. The only truth is what I see with my own eyes.)
The "Hardest Day" was actually NOT the hardest for me. It is most definitely in my top 5. Heading to Jacobs Lake, I rode with Spoo for 3/4 of the ride, passing some... interesting photo shoots. Lets just say, I saw a side of some riders that I never thought I would see. Anywayssss. Absolutely glorious views of canyons and places that look like they could be inhabited by dinosaurs. We passed the Colorado River and soon came to the base of a mountain. Hans had stopped for our second lunch break so we could refill our camelbaks. At this point Spoo decided to ride with Christina, so Cory and I set off to conquer the mountain.
Minute-by-minute, mile-by-mile, our granny gear took us up the winding road. We passed a really friendly French couple who gave us some great encouragement and promised to not hit any bicyclists in their car. Six miles to the end of our 80 mile ride, it started to rain. My gear pads absorbed water and started rubbing the tire. I did not feel safe riding without a shoulder, slippery roads, the rain getting harder and harder. We let a hill slow us down and sought shelter under a cluster of trees. Soon it was pouring intensely. We could barely make out the shape of two riders in the grey wall of precipitation. I ran out on the road and shouted for them to join us. Soon Spoo and Christina were huddled with us under the tree as the rain fell harder and colder. Mother Nature was proving her dominance as we cowered like sewer rats. Another shape moved closer. Jill! We hauled her off the road just in time as the hail started to fall. Minutes passed, the icy hail pelting up mercilessly, our bare (yet muscular and sexy!) legs were covered in goosebumps, our teeth chattering. Jill kept moaning about getting pneumonia until we yelled at her to shut up. Was this the end of us?? Would we not make it to San Francisco????
No! We saw headlights coming around the corner and our beloved grey van pulled into view. Hallelujah! Hiding our bikes under some trees, we bundled into the van. Never before have I breathed in the stench of hot sweaty riders with such glee. We were saved!!! Hans was our rock that day, his level-headedness keeping all of us safe and sound.
We were dropped off at the little restaurant near our Jacobs Lake campgrounds and let our soaking wet bodies settle into some plush little seats. It felt like we were in our own little B&B world, blabbering inanely about crazy things that must have amused (or terrified) our waiter while we devoured cup after cup of tepid coffee, sandwiches and their infamous cookies.
Full and semi-dry, we set up tents and hung out by the fire, full of adrenaline from our adventurous day. We were mellowed out by the terrible news about Paige Hicks, a fellow Bike and Builder who met with tragedy earlier that same day. I'm sorry P2S10. Every rider feels like part of our extended family. I think a lot of us on my trip feel invincible, even as we pedal down shoulder-less highways. This is a real wake-up call about how fragile we really are. I pray that everyone else makes it safely to their last wheel dip. We need to keep each other safe. Please.
Despite this unfortunate occurrence, I still say that this was a top day. I am sooo impressed by how we handled ourselves in a situation where we really did not have much control. I am glad everyone did the correct thing. I'm glad we faced such a challenge and made it through with smiles on our face. The most gratifying feelings of triumph can only be had in response to difficulty! I love our little family and cannot believe that our trip will be over in just 18 days! It will be hard to wear something besides chamois, to remind myself that using the bathroom on the side of the road is NOT appropriate in normal life. Normal. Ack! Normal life! What is that?! I believe I have forgotten! Oh nos!!!
p.s. Pictures up as soon as the internet behaves. This last week has been the most breathtaking (e.g. rainstorms with visions of red hot desert cliffs peeking through the grey curtain that surrounds us like a bubble).
Some folks went on a hike today. Not quite sure why (or rather, how). Yesterday we walked to the lookout and it was a chore to just walk up the steps back to our campsite! These past few days have really taken a toll on all of us. My quads have begged to be left alone for 24 hours and I must comply.
We've had a week of intense riding, leading up to this day off: There was a century (102 miles) into Page, AZ. We were told not to push ourselves because the following day would actually be "The Hardest Day of Bike & Build." Not intimidating at all, eh?
(I have decided not to pay attention to a single thing told to us about our ride. We have been told that days would be hard climbs, but then they ended up being smooth and flat or even downhill. Other days were said to be easy, and I ended up wanting to ram my bike into a car because the hills or headwind were never-ending and I hated my life. So. The only truth is what I see with my own eyes.)
The "Hardest Day" was actually NOT the hardest for me. It is most definitely in my top 5. Heading to Jacobs Lake, I rode with Spoo for 3/4 of the ride, passing some... interesting photo shoots. Lets just say, I saw a side of some riders that I never thought I would see. Anywayssss. Absolutely glorious views of canyons and places that look like they could be inhabited by dinosaurs. We passed the Colorado River and soon came to the base of a mountain. Hans had stopped for our second lunch break so we could refill our camelbaks. At this point Spoo decided to ride with Christina, so Cory and I set off to conquer the mountain.
Minute-by-minute, mile-by-mile, our granny gear took us up the winding road. We passed a really friendly French couple who gave us some great encouragement and promised to not hit any bicyclists in their car. Six miles to the end of our 80 mile ride, it started to rain. My gear pads absorbed water and started rubbing the tire. I did not feel safe riding without a shoulder, slippery roads, the rain getting harder and harder. We let a hill slow us down and sought shelter under a cluster of trees. Soon it was pouring intensely. We could barely make out the shape of two riders in the grey wall of precipitation. I ran out on the road and shouted for them to join us. Soon Spoo and Christina were huddled with us under the tree as the rain fell harder and colder. Mother Nature was proving her dominance as we cowered like sewer rats. Another shape moved closer. Jill! We hauled her off the road just in time as the hail started to fall. Minutes passed, the icy hail pelting up mercilessly, our bare (yet muscular and sexy!) legs were covered in goosebumps, our teeth chattering. Jill kept moaning about getting pneumonia until we yelled at her to shut up. Was this the end of us?? Would we not make it to San Francisco????
No! We saw headlights coming around the corner and our beloved grey van pulled into view. Hallelujah! Hiding our bikes under some trees, we bundled into the van. Never before have I breathed in the stench of hot sweaty riders with such glee. We were saved!!! Hans was our rock that day, his level-headedness keeping all of us safe and sound.
We were dropped off at the little restaurant near our Jacobs Lake campgrounds and let our soaking wet bodies settle into some plush little seats. It felt like we were in our own little B&B world, blabbering inanely about crazy things that must have amused (or terrified) our waiter while we devoured cup after cup of tepid coffee, sandwiches and their infamous cookies.
Full and semi-dry, we set up tents and hung out by the fire, full of adrenaline from our adventurous day. We were mellowed out by the terrible news about Paige Hicks, a fellow Bike and Builder who met with tragedy earlier that same day. I'm sorry P2S10. Every rider feels like part of our extended family. I think a lot of us on my trip feel invincible, even as we pedal down shoulder-less highways. This is a real wake-up call about how fragile we really are. I pray that everyone else makes it safely to their last wheel dip. We need to keep each other safe. Please.
Despite this unfortunate occurrence, I still say that this was a top day. I am sooo impressed by how we handled ourselves in a situation where we really did not have much control. I am glad everyone did the correct thing. I'm glad we faced such a challenge and made it through with smiles on our face. The most gratifying feelings of triumph can only be had in response to difficulty! I love our little family and cannot believe that our trip will be over in just 18 days! It will be hard to wear something besides chamois, to remind myself that using the bathroom on the side of the road is NOT appropriate in normal life. Normal. Ack! Normal life! What is that?! I believe I have forgotten! Oh nos!!!
p.s. Pictures up as soon as the internet behaves. This last week has been the most breathtaking (e.g. rainstorms with visions of red hot desert cliffs peeking through the grey curtain that surrounds us like a bubble).
Who knew that we'd have internet in a tiny little town on a Navajo Reservation, when we've barely had cell phone reception the last couple days in the breathtaking deserts of New Mexico and now Arizona...? Spending the night in a Chapter House in Teec Nos Pos, AZ. Very last minute accomodation, which we are amazingly grateful for.
Heading to bed soon, because I am exhausted and tomorrow is a big day (I am on sweep, which means maximum sun exposure, which means I will already need Red Bull to supplement my habitual lack of sleep).
Quick updates:
-We rode a century into Farmington a few days ago. 101 miles of virtual ease. Sooo much beauty in the desert, it's incredible!!!! "Land of the Enchantment" is no exaggeration.
-Spent a day working with ECHO, a local affordable housing initiative in Aztec, NM.
-Saw the play Oklahoma (ooohhhh wowww, haha) and got to hang out with my second-cousin Jeff!! It was really nice!
-Gave the official Bike & Build presentation to the congregation at the First Presbatyrian Church we stayed at and didn't completely mess up....
-Almost done reading Everything is Illuminated - highly recommend it.
-My fingertips are numb
-Almost done with all the nuts from my maildrop (thanks mom, yet again, for keeping me nourished)
-Last internet potential is tomorrow in Kayenta, because after that we'll be camping a few days and visiting the Grand Canyon!!
Thinking about everyone back home, loving and missing them!
And now, bedtime.
Go ne'e'h.
Heading to bed soon, because I am exhausted and tomorrow is a big day (I am on sweep, which means maximum sun exposure, which means I will already need Red Bull to supplement my habitual lack of sleep).
Quick updates:
-We rode a century into Farmington a few days ago. 101 miles of virtual ease. Sooo much beauty in the desert, it's incredible!!!! "Land of the Enchantment" is no exaggeration.
-Spent a day working with ECHO, a local affordable housing initiative in Aztec, NM.
-Saw the play Oklahoma (ooohhhh wowww, haha) and got to hang out with my second-cousin Jeff!! It was really nice!
-Gave the official Bike & Build presentation to the congregation at the First Presbatyrian Church we stayed at and didn't completely mess up....
-Almost done reading Everything is Illuminated - highly recommend it.
-My fingertips are numb
-Almost done with all the nuts from my maildrop (thanks mom, yet again, for keeping me nourished)
-Last internet potential is tomorrow in Kayenta, because after that we'll be camping a few days and visiting the Grand Canyon!!
Thinking about everyone back home, loving and missing them!
And now, bedtime.
Go ne'e'h.
The title is a reference to the music we used to wake up to every morning. Passion Pit. Little Secrets.
Lights out in 20 minutes, and this battery is low, so I'll be quick. But. Wow. WOW.
WOW!!!!!
Today was soooooooooooo perfect!!!
About 89 miles of climbing, gradual at first, then straight up a mountain at the very end, until we arrived in the little New Mexican town of Mosquero. The early morning was a blast, I could not ask for better riding companions: Spoo, Cory, Jenny and Zach. Time just flew by, mile after mile, and I was blissed out (thanks to Red BULL and some witty little commentaries).
"Are you an active Jew?"
"Well... she IS biking cross-country, so I'd say yes."
Our second lunch break was super super super. Agata was driver, and met us in the road with a smile and spare-tire-hula-hoop. Then we krumped on Jenny. Then we hopped back on our bikes and faced straight into mountains, which trembled before our feet. Spoo and I pulled ahead and were fierce in our climb, granny-gears and counting and huffing and puffing but never once giving up. Ohh it felt so good to look down from the top and see the world stretch out below us. (Pictures soon to come!)
Only downer to the whole day is that, after a delicious dinner, and before a pinata party for the three birthday girls, I was beckoned over to the four team leaders. Ironic that earlier that evening we were all discussing disciplinary actions from our youth, and I had been one of the few who did not agree with harsh punishment. Everyone else thought that a good thwack or spank could build character, but I thought that I was always immune to punishment, seeing it as irrational and immature. If someone wanted to teach me a lesson, sitting me down and talking about it seems ideal.
Anyways, I was called over to the leaders. Seems a lot of people were riding "unsafely" today, in that we were riding all over the road. Which is normally not a good idea, I agree, but today we were in desert country, and maybe ten cars total passed us. I felt that I was being safe. But I thought I stayed in our lane once a leader had gotten upset with us crossing the yellow line. Apparently not. Another leader saw us later, but only recognized me from far back. So I am the scapegoat it seems. And thus I am vanned tomorrow.
There was no arguing the point. I am in the van tomorrow instead of riding the 100 miles to Las Vegas. Whoopdeedoo. I think most people would be incredibly upset by this. But I did not come on this trip to ride every single mile (although that would be nice). I came on this trip to learn more about affordable housing and other issues in our country, to contribute to the cause financially and with my own two hands, to meet like-minded people and share knowledge with them, to spread more light in the world and make connections every place we go. And I feel that I am successful by that definition. I talk to old women in grocery stores, to cowboys in gas stations, wave to children in their cars, sing to people I ride with and encourage them to keep their head up and keep truckin'. I love Bike & Build.
Love it.
Buuuuut. Not to kill this good note. I forgot to mention that two days ago, we were packing up our trailer and a sweet bubbly dog trotted around, giving love and kisses to every person who stepped outside. I checked her tag. Her name was Abby. I called the number. It was an old man who was not very happy to be woken up at 6am. I told him we had his dog. He muttered something about taking a shower and then heading over. Okay. Thirty minutes pass. We are about to head out. I call him again. He says he is eating breakfast and the dog will make its way home, or else he'll come get her. Um. Dogs do not always make it home. Navajo didn't. But there is nothing I can do. A few minutes pass. We are starting to leave.
I look up.
Abby is in the road.
She was hit by a car.
I call the man and flatly tell him that his dog is dead.
"Well shiiiiit," he says.
I say that the dog is in front of the church and hang up. Then I run to the bathroom and cry.
I come out and wait for the owner to arrive. He finally shows up and callously pulls the black cloth off her body. Pink frothy blood drips from her mouth. A huge gash in cut in her backside. He shows no sorrow. Two of his buddies help him make a cardboard stretcher to put her in his pickup. I can't watch. I run onto my bike like a madwoman and start to pedal furiously. I slip on my sunglasses to hide my face, but end up breaking down within a block. Awkward with all the other riders around, but I was helpless. All the memories of Navajo flooded back. I miss him so much. I never loved anyone or anything deeper. Again I am responsible for the death of an innocent. I had a bad feeling about Abby, I knew I should have kept a better eye on her, but we were so busy getting ready for the day of biking that .... ugh. Ugh ugh ugh. I was so angry with the owner, so angry with the people who gave me crap for paying attention to Abby and trying to reach the owner instead of getting ready faster. This was a matter of life or death, and it ended in death. What else is important in this world, if a pure soul can be so easily crushed and discarded??
That was a hard day of biking.
But. Today was good. Really really good. "It's the circle of life...."
Every day is an experience. I'm glad I am hear to witness it all.
With love and gratitude,
Meira
Lights out in 20 minutes, and this battery is low, so I'll be quick. But. Wow. WOW.
WOW!!!!!
Today was soooooooooooo perfect!!!
About 89 miles of climbing, gradual at first, then straight up a mountain at the very end, until we arrived in the little New Mexican town of Mosquero. The early morning was a blast, I could not ask for better riding companions: Spoo, Cory, Jenny and Zach. Time just flew by, mile after mile, and I was blissed out (thanks to Red BULL and some witty little commentaries).
"Are you an active Jew?"
"Well... she IS biking cross-country, so I'd say yes."
Our second lunch break was super super super. Agata was driver, and met us in the road with a smile and spare-tire-hula-hoop. Then we krumped on Jenny. Then we hopped back on our bikes and faced straight into mountains, which trembled before our feet. Spoo and I pulled ahead and were fierce in our climb, granny-gears and counting and huffing and puffing but never once giving up. Ohh it felt so good to look down from the top and see the world stretch out below us. (Pictures soon to come!)
Only downer to the whole day is that, after a delicious dinner, and before a pinata party for the three birthday girls, I was beckoned over to the four team leaders. Ironic that earlier that evening we were all discussing disciplinary actions from our youth, and I had been one of the few who did not agree with harsh punishment. Everyone else thought that a good thwack or spank could build character, but I thought that I was always immune to punishment, seeing it as irrational and immature. If someone wanted to teach me a lesson, sitting me down and talking about it seems ideal.
Anyways, I was called over to the leaders. Seems a lot of people were riding "unsafely" today, in that we were riding all over the road. Which is normally not a good idea, I agree, but today we were in desert country, and maybe ten cars total passed us. I felt that I was being safe. But I thought I stayed in our lane once a leader had gotten upset with us crossing the yellow line. Apparently not. Another leader saw us later, but only recognized me from far back. So I am the scapegoat it seems. And thus I am vanned tomorrow.
There was no arguing the point. I am in the van tomorrow instead of riding the 100 miles to Las Vegas. Whoopdeedoo. I think most people would be incredibly upset by this. But I did not come on this trip to ride every single mile (although that would be nice). I came on this trip to learn more about affordable housing and other issues in our country, to contribute to the cause financially and with my own two hands, to meet like-minded people and share knowledge with them, to spread more light in the world and make connections every place we go. And I feel that I am successful by that definition. I talk to old women in grocery stores, to cowboys in gas stations, wave to children in their cars, sing to people I ride with and encourage them to keep their head up and keep truckin'. I love Bike & Build.
Love it.
Buuuuut. Not to kill this good note. I forgot to mention that two days ago, we were packing up our trailer and a sweet bubbly dog trotted around, giving love and kisses to every person who stepped outside. I checked her tag. Her name was Abby. I called the number. It was an old man who was not very happy to be woken up at 6am. I told him we had his dog. He muttered something about taking a shower and then heading over. Okay. Thirty minutes pass. We are about to head out. I call him again. He says he is eating breakfast and the dog will make its way home, or else he'll come get her. Um. Dogs do not always make it home. Navajo didn't. But there is nothing I can do. A few minutes pass. We are starting to leave.
I look up.
Abby is in the road.
She was hit by a car.
I call the man and flatly tell him that his dog is dead.
"Well shiiiiit," he says.
I say that the dog is in front of the church and hang up. Then I run to the bathroom and cry.
I come out and wait for the owner to arrive. He finally shows up and callously pulls the black cloth off her body. Pink frothy blood drips from her mouth. A huge gash in cut in her backside. He shows no sorrow. Two of his buddies help him make a cardboard stretcher to put her in his pickup. I can't watch. I run onto my bike like a madwoman and start to pedal furiously. I slip on my sunglasses to hide my face, but end up breaking down within a block. Awkward with all the other riders around, but I was helpless. All the memories of Navajo flooded back. I miss him so much. I never loved anyone or anything deeper. Again I am responsible for the death of an innocent. I had a bad feeling about Abby, I knew I should have kept a better eye on her, but we were so busy getting ready for the day of biking that .... ugh. Ugh ugh ugh. I was so angry with the owner, so angry with the people who gave me crap for paying attention to Abby and trying to reach the owner instead of getting ready faster. This was a matter of life or death, and it ended in death. What else is important in this world, if a pure soul can be so easily crushed and discarded??
That was a hard day of biking.
But. Today was good. Really really good. "It's the circle of life...."
Every day is an experience. I'm glad I am hear to witness it all.
With love and gratitude,
Meira
This is the entry I made for our group blog, but it hasn't been posted yet, so I'll put it here:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigh. That was a challenging day of riding. Exhilarating at times, torturous at others. Honestly, looking back at the whole 72.2+ miles of rain, hills and constant headwind, I cannot believe that I made it.
--As I write this, Christina is squealing in anger after Zach tricked her into eating cat food as a pre-dinner snack. I hope he is prepared for a thousand years of pain. ?
Okay, back to the entry. Although I love our group dynamic. We?re all a bit nutty, but that?s what has allowed a trip like this to succeed. No sane person would do this. Not a day passes without my wanting to throw my bicycle under the next semi-truck that passes by. I rode all day long today with Spoo, and we laughed/sang/cried/cursed/screamed our way through every mile, even when one of us got a flat. I think she wanted to slap me when I became a bit deranged at times, but at least we made it!!!! Somehow, we made it!!! There was ONE mile of this whole ride that we took a right turn and had a tailwind, and that was the most bittersweet mile of them all.
I am soooo indescribably impressed by every single one of us. This is HARD work. It took every ounce of my willpower to put my head down and push my burning legs through the thick wall of headwind and daggers of rain for six hours. And I am an extremely stubborn person (ask my parents). I look around in awe of the other 32 people who have scrounged up the strength to do the same and find a deep appreciation that these people care enough about the problems in our country to feel inspired toward masochism. Our world is a mess right now, but perhaps this type of social consciousness will keep us afloat. I have hope. I also have pruney toes.
Behind me, dinner crew is washing dishes (oops, I should be helping, sorry guys) and splashing soap in one anothers? eyes. ?I hope it burns,? says mean Mr. Scott to poor Sassy Spoo. It really feels like one big family now, so I think it?s fair to apply my own family?s motto to this trip - Putting the ?fun? in ?dysfunctional?!
-Meira
P.S. Finally uploaded some pictures, after narrowing my 4000ish down to 250. Enjoy! (On facebook and the group blog.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigh. That was a challenging day of riding. Exhilarating at times, torturous at others. Honestly, looking back at the whole 72.2+ miles of rain, hills and constant headwind, I cannot believe that I made it.
--As I write this, Christina is squealing in anger after Zach tricked her into eating cat food as a pre-dinner snack. I hope he is prepared for a thousand years of pain. ?
Okay, back to the entry. Although I love our group dynamic. We?re all a bit nutty, but that?s what has allowed a trip like this to succeed. No sane person would do this. Not a day passes without my wanting to throw my bicycle under the next semi-truck that passes by. I rode all day long today with Spoo, and we laughed/sang/cried/cursed/screamed our way through every mile, even when one of us got a flat. I think she wanted to slap me when I became a bit deranged at times, but at least we made it!!!! Somehow, we made it!!! There was ONE mile of this whole ride that we took a right turn and had a tailwind, and that was the most bittersweet mile of them all.
I am soooo indescribably impressed by every single one of us. This is HARD work. It took every ounce of my willpower to put my head down and push my burning legs through the thick wall of headwind and daggers of rain for six hours. And I am an extremely stubborn person (ask my parents). I look around in awe of the other 32 people who have scrounged up the strength to do the same and find a deep appreciation that these people care enough about the problems in our country to feel inspired toward masochism. Our world is a mess right now, but perhaps this type of social consciousness will keep us afloat. I have hope. I also have pruney toes.
Behind me, dinner crew is washing dishes (oops, I should be helping, sorry guys) and splashing soap in one anothers? eyes. ?I hope it burns,? says mean Mr. Scott to poor Sassy Spoo. It really feels like one big family now, so I think it?s fair to apply my own family?s motto to this trip - Putting the ?fun? in ?dysfunctional?!
-Meira
P.S. Finally uploaded some pictures, after narrowing my 4000ish down to 250. Enjoy! (On facebook and the group blog.)
Still hot and sticky from today's ride. Somehow did an extra 15-20 miles, ran out of water, and luckily a wonderfully nice lady who runs a produce stand gave me directions and a bottle of water - thanks Nina! I think this brought my total to almost a century (100 miles), as opposed to the cue sheet's 80-something miles.
But here we are at the United Methodist Church. I'm fourth on the Girls' Shower List, so this will have to be quick (I'm sure there will be no time to get online later tonight, once everyone else catches wind of this computer's existence).
Cory just headed to the hospital with a broken(?) wrist. The roads were hairy today. I almost got smashed into twice. The first time I veered to avoid the car and hit a bump, went sprawling across the road. Whee. The person who almost hit me didn't stop, but the car behind them did, and asked if I was okay. I smiled and hobbled away to fix my bike, which seemed a little twisted but rideable. One mile down the road I got a flat. Whee!!!
When I wasn't deep in my thoughts, I sang. And blissfully, there was sometimes silence. I contemplated the human struggle to be an individualist (Howard Rourke-style) or humanist (Mother Teresa-style), and then somewhere in there being The Witness (Mickey Singer-style). I came to no definite conclusion.
Okay, ten minutes before the post office closes, and it's my time for showers. Dinner at seven. That means two hours to nap(?). Haha, I wish.
Packages came today! Thanks mom! The cookies were... interesting.... :)
But here we are at the United Methodist Church. I'm fourth on the Girls' Shower List, so this will have to be quick (I'm sure there will be no time to get online later tonight, once everyone else catches wind of this computer's existence).
Cory just headed to the hospital with a broken(?) wrist. The roads were hairy today. I almost got smashed into twice. The first time I veered to avoid the car and hit a bump, went sprawling across the road. Whee. The person who almost hit me didn't stop, but the car behind them did, and asked if I was okay. I smiled and hobbled away to fix my bike, which seemed a little twisted but rideable. One mile down the road I got a flat. Whee!!!
When I wasn't deep in my thoughts, I sang. And blissfully, there was sometimes silence. I contemplated the human struggle to be an individualist (Howard Rourke-style) or humanist (Mother Teresa-style), and then somewhere in there being The Witness (Mickey Singer-style). I came to no definite conclusion.
Okay, ten minutes before the post office closes, and it's my time for showers. Dinner at seven. That means two hours to nap(?). Haha, I wish.
Packages came today! Thanks mom! The cookies were... interesting.... :)
So hot today. My thoughts sizzled out of my head like drops of water on a frying pan.
We entered Texas. Boy howdy! Hill after hill, for all 92 miles (the mileage on the website is not accurate - fyi - but also because we had an additional 10 miles due to some misunderstanding at the very start of the day which resulted in a U-turn).
(Cory is reading over my shoulder. CREEPY.)
Tonight we are staying with the family of a past Bike and Builder. She did the Southern Route 6 years ago, and her family has hosted riders ever since.
Tomorrow is almost 100 miles. I'm riding sweep with Alia, which is a good excuse to go slow, but that means more time in the sun. Today's sweep didn't get in until after 4pm. I've been lathering up with sunscreen thrice daily, but the tan just gets progressively darker.
Yesterday we stayed at a Baptist Encampment. Then on our lunch break, we used a church that had a little thought-provoking saying: "Stop, drop and roll doesn't work in hell." Well, Shabbat Shalom! There are actually four Jews on this trip, so next Friday I plan to make some Challah (thanks for the recipe, mom!) and we'll lead a short service.
There is a long line of people who want to use this computer, since this is the first week we've have internet. I have taken almost 3000 pictures. When our computer isn't in such high demand, I'll upload a couple. Plus, I'm exhausted. It's 9pm and I cannot wait to pass out. It will definitely feel weird when Bike & Build is over and my bedtime/wake up time is not so structured...
Thank you Emi and Enrique and my parents for the wonderful mail/packages!!
Love and Gratitude,
Meira
We entered Texas. Boy howdy! Hill after hill, for all 92 miles (the mileage on the website is not accurate - fyi - but also because we had an additional 10 miles due to some misunderstanding at the very start of the day which resulted in a U-turn).
(Cory is reading over my shoulder. CREEPY.)
Tonight we are staying with the family of a past Bike and Builder. She did the Southern Route 6 years ago, and her family has hosted riders ever since.
Tomorrow is almost 100 miles. I'm riding sweep with Alia, which is a good excuse to go slow, but that means more time in the sun. Today's sweep didn't get in until after 4pm. I've been lathering up with sunscreen thrice daily, but the tan just gets progressively darker.
Yesterday we stayed at a Baptist Encampment. Then on our lunch break, we used a church that had a little thought-provoking saying: "Stop, drop and roll doesn't work in hell." Well, Shabbat Shalom! There are actually four Jews on this trip, so next Friday I plan to make some Challah (thanks for the recipe, mom!) and we'll lead a short service.
There is a long line of people who want to use this computer, since this is the first week we've have internet. I have taken almost 3000 pictures. When our computer isn't in such high demand, I'll upload a couple. Plus, I'm exhausted. It's 9pm and I cannot wait to pass out. It will definitely feel weird when Bike & Build is over and my bedtime/wake up time is not so structured...
Thank you Emi and Enrique and my parents for the wonderful mail/packages!!
Love and Gratitude,
Meira
Ahh, today's ride was wonderful! Yes, it was oppressively hot, but not as humid as Florida. Louisiana is a state I never really thought twice about, but all that has changed. The people are super friendly, the climate is superb, and it has an intriguing history.
The ride was short (comparatively), just under 60 miles. Last night we officially learned how to "pace line," which entails biking really really close to the rider in front of you (only one wheel's distance), in order to reduce the amount of headwind and make for more efficient travel. Like ducks flying in their V formation. And also like ducks, we quack for morale support of our leaders, who switch out and fall to the back of the line like clockwork. I was part of a pace line for a good 20 miles, then rode the next 10 solo; Just me and the open road. No cars, just row after row of corn, soybeans and assorted farmland. I sat up on my bike, arms flapping in the wind, just enjoying the feel of the wind and sun. With no humans in sight, I burst into song. Aladdin, Imogen Heap, Red Hot Chili Peppers, some hebrew songs like Ofra Haza and Shalom Aleinu (the version from birth right that included didgeridoos), stuff from the Rent soundtrack - anything that came to mind I sang, and boy did I sing! Unabashedly, fiercely, feeling the headwind cutting into my mouth and deep into my throat. I look to the side and enjoy the illusion of rows of corn opening up to me and closing as I pass by. Or lines of trees. I feel like Mother Nature is playing with me, and I love it.
We stopped for lunch at a plantation that some local historian told us was full of interesting people, and a twinkle came into her eyes. Sweetest lady I've ever met, and so full of information that she purred to us in her charming velveeta voice that made me want to hug her. The plantation was owned by a white man, but he took a slave as his mistress and had plenty of offspring. When he passed, his estate was left to this mistress and her family. Neat stuff.
I love exploring our country, learning so much about our history. I never imagined America to be so fascinating!! Every person I meet has a story, every city so full of personality. I could never relay all the stories I am accumulating - a homeless man in Baton Rouge who I spoke with on the curb for almost an hour, the lady who owns a general store near Melville that has been in her family for three generations, AmeriCorps NCCC members we met at a build site in Whitecastle, random people at gas stations and host sites and of course all of the people we are riding with! I am so grateful for this experience that it leaves me giddy and speechless.
I am being selfish by staying on the computer this whole time, when there are are only three of them and thirty-three of us. We just had a dinner donated by Natchitoches State University, whose gym we are staying in tonight. Tomorrow's ride is in the 30s (mileage-wise) so yayyy!! From Natchitoches to Pelican, LA! Maybe we'll have internet there and I can finally upload some of my 2500+ pictures (everyone loves/hates me for my obsessive trigger-happiness).
<3,
meira
The ride was short (comparatively), just under 60 miles. Last night we officially learned how to "pace line," which entails biking really really close to the rider in front of you (only one wheel's distance), in order to reduce the amount of headwind and make for more efficient travel. Like ducks flying in their V formation. And also like ducks, we quack for morale support of our leaders, who switch out and fall to the back of the line like clockwork. I was part of a pace line for a good 20 miles, then rode the next 10 solo; Just me and the open road. No cars, just row after row of corn, soybeans and assorted farmland. I sat up on my bike, arms flapping in the wind, just enjoying the feel of the wind and sun. With no humans in sight, I burst into song. Aladdin, Imogen Heap, Red Hot Chili Peppers, some hebrew songs like Ofra Haza and Shalom Aleinu (the version from birth right that included didgeridoos), stuff from the Rent soundtrack - anything that came to mind I sang, and boy did I sing! Unabashedly, fiercely, feeling the headwind cutting into my mouth and deep into my throat. I look to the side and enjoy the illusion of rows of corn opening up to me and closing as I pass by. Or lines of trees. I feel like Mother Nature is playing with me, and I love it.
We stopped for lunch at a plantation that some local historian told us was full of interesting people, and a twinkle came into her eyes. Sweetest lady I've ever met, and so full of information that she purred to us in her charming velveeta voice that made me want to hug her. The plantation was owned by a white man, but he took a slave as his mistress and had plenty of offspring. When he passed, his estate was left to this mistress and her family. Neat stuff.
I love exploring our country, learning so much about our history. I never imagined America to be so fascinating!! Every person I meet has a story, every city so full of personality. I could never relay all the stories I am accumulating - a homeless man in Baton Rouge who I spoke with on the curb for almost an hour, the lady who owns a general store near Melville that has been in her family for three generations, AmeriCorps NCCC members we met at a build site in Whitecastle, random people at gas stations and host sites and of course all of the people we are riding with! I am so grateful for this experience that it leaves me giddy and speechless.
I am being selfish by staying on the computer this whole time, when there are are only three of them and thirty-three of us. We just had a dinner donated by Natchitoches State University, whose gym we are staying in tonight. Tomorrow's ride is in the 30s (mileage-wise) so yayyy!! From Natchitoches to Pelican, LA! Maybe we'll have internet there and I can finally upload some of my 2500+ pictures (everyone loves/hates me for my obsessive trigger-happiness).
<3,
meira
First of all: Happy Birthday Grandma!!!
(I know she doesn't read this, but everyone should know that she has made it to 88 and is still sassy.)
Second of all: I'm deliriously giddy!! Sure, Whole Foods is great, but I'm not quite sure why I can't stop beaming and making funny squeaky noises. We (Alia and I) were in Whole Foods for a good hour, maybe more, prowling up and down each aisle like an Inuit who just discovered a warehouse full of space heaters. It was almost surreal, after two weeks (is that all it's been??? okay, maybe a little more) of peanut butter and jelly on white bread. Yes, we have had some generous churches and restaurants provide food, but green things that are not M&Ms are a rarity, when they used to be an abundance. I think food consciousness is my weakness, in that I care so much about what I put in my body that it freaks me out a little when I have no control over my meals. I am almost jealous of those people who are content to munch on just about anything.
But not today!! Today I bought KALE!! And BROCCOLI!! And ZUCCHINI!! And I cooked it up and ate it with AK-MAK crackers and NUTRITIONAL YEAST instead of the white pasta with canned spaghetti sauce.
Do you see how crazy this trip has made me??? I am CAPITALIZING everyday FOODS!!
Ahem. This place we are staying is ridiculously elegant. Two floors, beautiful stained glass windows, big open rooms, a kitchen that begs to be cooked in, a front porch decorated with pillars and a bench swing (which I am rocking on currently). Some people are discussing their bicycles like intimate relationships while they wrap on new handlebar tape. One girl named her bike Laurel, which means "victory." Another Daphne. I've named my bike Artemesia, after my favorite Greek goddess. NOT Malkah, despite rumors. (That name is reserved for one person, so apologies for any confusion.)
A few of us are going to head to the pool in a moment. The majority of our crew went out to a concert tonight. Passion Pit. It's a band we've been listening to as a pumper-upper at 5am as we roll out of our sleeping bags and attempt to pack our bins. Good music, but by now the tickets are worth $250 and... yeah... no thanks. I would rather buy food.
Okay, they will leave without me, and my legs are sweating from the heat of the group laptop. I need to look up pictures to inspire a haircut. I've been joking about getting a mohawk, but today I took a shower and realized how much shampoo + conditioner is being wasted on hair that is not doing me any good except making my helmet uncomfortable and neck extra-sweaty. Within 24 hours, I will have short utilitarian hair. Any ideas?
p.s. Have I mentioned yet how magical New Orleans feels? Biking along tree-drapped roads is glorious, despite the insane amount of holes and bumps. Every house has a personality, crazy colors and innovative designs. I LOVE it!! If New Orleans was a person, I would marry them. Or make them my best friend (not to replace Liddy or Emi)...
(I know she doesn't read this, but everyone should know that she has made it to 88 and is still sassy.)
Second of all: I'm deliriously giddy!! Sure, Whole Foods is great, but I'm not quite sure why I can't stop beaming and making funny squeaky noises. We (Alia and I) were in Whole Foods for a good hour, maybe more, prowling up and down each aisle like an Inuit who just discovered a warehouse full of space heaters. It was almost surreal, after two weeks (is that all it's been??? okay, maybe a little more) of peanut butter and jelly on white bread. Yes, we have had some generous churches and restaurants provide food, but green things that are not M&Ms are a rarity, when they used to be an abundance. I think food consciousness is my weakness, in that I care so much about what I put in my body that it freaks me out a little when I have no control over my meals. I am almost jealous of those people who are content to munch on just about anything.
But not today!! Today I bought KALE!! And BROCCOLI!! And ZUCCHINI!! And I cooked it up and ate it with AK-MAK crackers and NUTRITIONAL YEAST instead of the white pasta with canned spaghetti sauce.
Do you see how crazy this trip has made me??? I am CAPITALIZING everyday FOODS!!
Ahem. This place we are staying is ridiculously elegant. Two floors, beautiful stained glass windows, big open rooms, a kitchen that begs to be cooked in, a front porch decorated with pillars and a bench swing (which I am rocking on currently). Some people are discussing their bicycles like intimate relationships while they wrap on new handlebar tape. One girl named her bike Laurel, which means "victory." Another Daphne. I've named my bike Artemesia, after my favorite Greek goddess. NOT Malkah, despite rumors. (That name is reserved for one person, so apologies for any confusion.)
A few of us are going to head to the pool in a moment. The majority of our crew went out to a concert tonight. Passion Pit. It's a band we've been listening to as a pumper-upper at 5am as we roll out of our sleeping bags and attempt to pack our bins. Good music, but by now the tickets are worth $250 and... yeah... no thanks. I would rather buy food.
Okay, they will leave without me, and my legs are sweating from the heat of the group laptop. I need to look up pictures to inspire a haircut. I've been joking about getting a mohawk, but today I took a shower and realized how much shampoo + conditioner is being wasted on hair that is not doing me any good except making my helmet uncomfortable and neck extra-sweaty. Within 24 hours, I will have short utilitarian hair. Any ideas?
p.s. Have I mentioned yet how magical New Orleans feels? Biking along tree-drapped roads is glorious, despite the insane amount of holes and bumps. Every house has a personality, crazy colors and innovative designs. I LOVE it!! If New Orleans was a person, I would marry them. Or make them my best friend (not to replace Liddy or Emi)...
In love with the sights and sounds of New Orleans. Every street is a full-bodied experience. I close my eyes as I pass shops and feel the waves of music hitting me and ebbing as another wave flows by. A constant background hum of laughter, whispered murmurs and trolley bells fill in the empty spaces.
The architecture is divine. I wish I had the vocabulary and eye to describe this in more detail, but "divine" will have to do. Stimulating and inspiring could also apply. Today I wandered for a couple minutes by myself and let random streets draw me down them. Past a building dotted with bright blue arches, revealing red doors underneath and yellow decoration. It was a primary color parade.
The first night in New Orleans we spent wandering Bourbon Street. If you have never been there, it is hard to describe. Perhaps a mix between Las Vegas, a Renaissance festival, and a Texas rodeo.
We have been building the last two days, split into three groups initially to work on a variety of projects. Each family has their own story. How so many people can still have faith after what they have been through is deeply touching. Everyone has lost those that they love, but nobody complains. Similar to our biking experience, it is hard to feel like a victim when everyone else is suffering.
Time to bake banana bread! Alia is waiting! But I wanted to take this rare opportunity of silence (everyone else is still at dinner or doing laundry, so we are the only two in this house of luxurious splendor) to update. Ahh silence. And air conditioning. I've come to appreciate the simpler things in life even more. Mmm but okay, banana bread!!!
The architecture is divine. I wish I had the vocabulary and eye to describe this in more detail, but "divine" will have to do. Stimulating and inspiring could also apply. Today I wandered for a couple minutes by myself and let random streets draw me down them. Past a building dotted with bright blue arches, revealing red doors underneath and yellow decoration. It was a primary color parade.
The first night in New Orleans we spent wandering Bourbon Street. If you have never been there, it is hard to describe. Perhaps a mix between Las Vegas, a Renaissance festival, and a Texas rodeo.
We have been building the last two days, split into three groups initially to work on a variety of projects. Each family has their own story. How so many people can still have faith after what they have been through is deeply touching. Everyone has lost those that they love, but nobody complains. Similar to our biking experience, it is hard to feel like a victim when everyone else is suffering.
Time to bake banana bread! Alia is waiting! But I wanted to take this rare opportunity of silence (everyone else is still at dinner or doing laundry, so we are the only two in this house of luxurious splendor) to update. Ahh silence. And air conditioning. I've come to appreciate the simpler things in life even more. Mmm but okay, banana bread!!!
Rode the EASIEST 70-something miles today! We started in Mobile, Alabama and arrived around 2pm in Long Beach, Mississippi.
I am in a constant state of gratefulness. The people at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Mobile were sooooo generous and caring. Lella made sure everyone got dessert on the first night, coming around with a tray of brownies with ice cream! And this was after she had prepared an extravagant vegetarian-friendly dinner for all 33 of our ravenous mouths.
We spent two days building in Alabama. The first day I measured and cut baseboards. Second day we got a mini boombox and blasted some tunes while digging a trench in thick red soil, sun beating overhead to help round out our funky tans. I overheard that we saved this Habitat family around $10,000 with all of our combined labor.
It's almost 4pm, which means I am required to be back at the house. Luckily this library is only a couple blocks away from the house we are staying at. Yes, a house, not a chuch. I think one of our team leader's mom's boss has a friend who has a vacation house(?) which is where we are all staying tonight.
Enjoyed recieving a letter from Leslie and Larry! Thanks! Anyone else who wants to send me letters, packages, or whatnot, please feel free to! I WILL respond!
For now, address anything like so:
Bike & Build
Attn: Meira Shuman
New Orleans, LA 70140
And also write somewhere on it, "Please hold until pick-up on 6/17."
Hopefully I will be able to get back online tonight, although the library may close before we finish laundry and dinner. Apologies for the short and nondescript update. Today just felt really really good. I'm looking forward to our century tomorrow, which will bring us to New Orleans! And I couldn't ask for a better group to do this with.
Love and Gratitude,
Meira
I am in a constant state of gratefulness. The people at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Mobile were sooooo generous and caring. Lella made sure everyone got dessert on the first night, coming around with a tray of brownies with ice cream! And this was after she had prepared an extravagant vegetarian-friendly dinner for all 33 of our ravenous mouths.
We spent two days building in Alabama. The first day I measured and cut baseboards. Second day we got a mini boombox and blasted some tunes while digging a trench in thick red soil, sun beating overhead to help round out our funky tans. I overheard that we saved this Habitat family around $10,000 with all of our combined labor.
It's almost 4pm, which means I am required to be back at the house. Luckily this library is only a couple blocks away from the house we are staying at. Yes, a house, not a chuch. I think one of our team leader's mom's boss has a friend who has a vacation house(?) which is where we are all staying tonight.
Enjoyed recieving a letter from Leslie and Larry! Thanks! Anyone else who wants to send me letters, packages, or whatnot, please feel free to! I WILL respond!
For now, address anything like so:
Bike & Build
Attn: Meira Shuman
New Orleans, LA 70140
And also write somewhere on it, "Please hold until pick-up on 6/17."
Hopefully I will be able to get back online tonight, although the library may close before we finish laundry and dinner. Apologies for the short and nondescript update. Today just felt really really good. I'm looking forward to our century tomorrow, which will bring us to New Orleans! And I couldn't ask for a better group to do this with.
Love and Gratitude,
Meira
Just a quick heads up that there is a blog my group is updating daily, so if you want to see what is going on (outside of my own ramblings) then check it out!
http://www.bikeandbuild.org/rider/route.php?route=SUS&year=2010
We have a day off today in Panama City, as I may have already mentioned. It seems the house we were supposed to work on today was intended for a family who is having financial difficulties, so ground was not broken last week and thus there is no work for us to do. Sadly, we are only able to help with affordable housing, notsomuch free housing. We need more money, more resources. It's frustrating and almost overwhelming to be witness to so much trouble in the world. I felt very disconnected from the oil spill until yesterday, when a lady at this hotel described the birds who look like they've been dipped in chocolate, and the dolphins who died and were strewn across the beach. When they were cut open, their insides were black black black. Deadly oil. What have we done?
Are we helpless, or is that something we hide behind to pacify ourselves in order to continue to live our lives of leisure? Or maybe suffering should just be accepted as a natural process with no assigned moral value?
Last night we went out to Panama City Beach. Our shuttle driver dropped us off in front of (his idea of) a "good bar." It was a honky-tonk place, with a majority of patrons being older than my mother and dressed more provocatively than a college student. One lady grabbed a girl in the bathroom and giggled, "You haven't had a baby yet!" So many sequin tops and cowboy boots! Not my typical scene, but it was a riot.
Tomorrow we ride a century (100 miles) in southern heat. Our bodies are adapting well, but today's tranquility is surely appreciated.
Another girl is waiting for the computer, so this is the end!
http://www.bikeandbuild.org/rider/route.php?route=SUS&year=2010
We have a day off today in Panama City, as I may have already mentioned. It seems the house we were supposed to work on today was intended for a family who is having financial difficulties, so ground was not broken last week and thus there is no work for us to do. Sadly, we are only able to help with affordable housing, notsomuch free housing. We need more money, more resources. It's frustrating and almost overwhelming to be witness to so much trouble in the world. I felt very disconnected from the oil spill until yesterday, when a lady at this hotel described the birds who look like they've been dipped in chocolate, and the dolphins who died and were strewn across the beach. When they were cut open, their insides were black black black. Deadly oil. What have we done?
Are we helpless, or is that something we hide behind to pacify ourselves in order to continue to live our lives of leisure? Or maybe suffering should just be accepted as a natural process with no assigned moral value?
Last night we went out to Panama City Beach. Our shuttle driver dropped us off in front of (his idea of) a "good bar." It was a honky-tonk place, with a majority of patrons being older than my mother and dressed more provocatively than a college student. One lady grabbed a girl in the bathroom and giggled, "You haven't had a baby yet!" So many sequin tops and cowboy boots! Not my typical scene, but it was a riot.
Tomorrow we ride a century (100 miles) in southern heat. Our bodies are adapting well, but today's tranquility is surely appreciated.
Another girl is waiting for the computer, so this is the end!
Mmmm so tired. And hungry. And dirty. We are currently in Panama City, staying at a church who so enthusiastically supports Bike & Build that they got us two hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn nearby just to take showers!! (Thank you!!) I walked over here with a big group and realized that it would take ages for everyone to shower, so scouted out the computer in the lobby downstairs. Whee. So quick blog update before heading upstairs to check out the shower scene.
We rode about 70 miles today, from Apalachicola via I-98. It was scorching hot! Really intense compared to yesterday's cool rain. I think I prefer thunderstorms to constant heat: Yesterday it rained for about forty of the 44ish miles. Oy vey! But once I accepted that I would get soaked, it wasn't half bad. It was actually refreshing and exhilirating. And our shortest ride yet, nice and easy (who would've thought a couple months ago I would consider forty-something miles to be "short" and "easy"?!) with plenty of good conversation and beautiful scenery. I love how every day provides another opportunity to get to know someone else.
I wish I could upload pictures, but didn't think to bring my USB cord to the hotel. I think I'm one of the most trigger-happy riders in this group (much to the aggravation of Spoolicious) and have perfected the art of taking pictures while riding.
It's only been a week, but I can't imagine meshing back into society after this. Wearing real clothes, not pointing out every bump in the road, having unusual tan lines when I go to the beach. I think the craziest lines are on my fingers (thanks to fingerless gloves).
There is so much I could say that I am not, but my brain is feeling fried and mushy (can it be both??) and inarticulate. And it's shower time, because we have dinner in ten minutes!!!
Hopefully I'll get to write more soon! I have yet to check my email or facebook, so please be patient with me!
Love and Gratitude,
Meira
We rode about 70 miles today, from Apalachicola via I-98. It was scorching hot! Really intense compared to yesterday's cool rain. I think I prefer thunderstorms to constant heat: Yesterday it rained for about forty of the 44ish miles. Oy vey! But once I accepted that I would get soaked, it wasn't half bad. It was actually refreshing and exhilirating. And our shortest ride yet, nice and easy (who would've thought a couple months ago I would consider forty-something miles to be "short" and "easy"?!) with plenty of good conversation and beautiful scenery. I love how every day provides another opportunity to get to know someone else.
I wish I could upload pictures, but didn't think to bring my USB cord to the hotel. I think I'm one of the most trigger-happy riders in this group (much to the aggravation of Spoolicious) and have perfected the art of taking pictures while riding.
It's only been a week, but I can't imagine meshing back into society after this. Wearing real clothes, not pointing out every bump in the road, having unusual tan lines when I go to the beach. I think the craziest lines are on my fingers (thanks to fingerless gloves).
There is so much I could say that I am not, but my brain is feeling fried and mushy (can it be both??) and inarticulate. And it's shower time, because we have dinner in ten minutes!!!
Hopefully I'll get to write more soon! I have yet to check my email or facebook, so please be patient with me!
Love and Gratitude,
Meira
Really really quick, while this girl grabs her computer cord!!
We biked about 60 miles today and are now in Calhoon, camping out in tents and hoping it doesn't thunderstorm. PHEW! Sooo much has been squished into the last few days. Lots of getting-to-know-yous and information about biking and building, and a day when we actually built with Beaches Habitat in Jacksonville!!! It was really fun! I lay sod for a good half of the day, and spent the next half measuring and sawing and nailing in base boards. Mmm love using power tools!!!
Everyone on this trip is really cool, although there's this weird thing about knowing that we will be super-close in two months, and not knowing each other yet. It's fun though. Lots of diversity.
Today I put Deez Nuts down my shorts and it was cold and tingly!! I later found out that can cause.. issues.. for girls. So girls are told to stick to regular Chamois Budder.
Food has so far been provided by wonderful groups who love Bike and Build! Mainly churches. They have been very considerate about vegetarians (there are 5 of us in the group, sometimes 6 depending on how Cory feels, hehe) although maybe not the most knowledgeable. Ah well. It's doable. Clif bars are my staple. Tonight I was on dinner crew and this girl Alia whipped up some beans that we had with leftover cole slaw and pasta salad.
Girl is back. I'm done! Hope all is well! Sorry I haven't been on more!!!!
<3,
meira
The title of this entry is the name of the Sweetwater coffee that Emi just held under my nose. We will be making a big big pot of coffee because five hours ago we went to sleep and now we are awake and needing to start our morning. There was a lot of packing going on yesterday, from the moment I woke up until ... well, still not 100% complete. Almost. Almost!!
Oooohhhh Gainesville, how I will miss you!!! I'm glad I took a break yesterday for the Farmer's Market, rock climbing and dinner at the Jones. Good people, good goodbyes. We came back home intending to head to the Top for more goodbyes, but life had other notions. I learned experientially how to guide someone through a sand tray (which made me wonder why THREE years of grad school is needed when I learned a technique in one hour).
This past month has been possibly the most empowering, grounding yet liberating month of my life.
About three hours before jumping in the car with my mother and Cory (fellow SUS B&Ber I met and introduced to the cause up in Boone, NC as I explored ASU) and there is still so much to do!!! Big things like buying another pair of bike shorts and maybe some better tires, and then small things like logistics of an address list and emailing people and making sure I have stuff I need on my memory stick. Exciting, yeah?? :)
So maybe less talk, more do? Yeah...
Oooohhhh Gainesville, how I will miss you!!! I'm glad I took a break yesterday for the Farmer's Market, rock climbing and dinner at the Jones. Good people, good goodbyes. We came back home intending to head to the Top for more goodbyes, but life had other notions. I learned experientially how to guide someone through a sand tray (which made me wonder why THREE years of grad school is needed when I learned a technique in one hour).
This past month has been possibly the most empowering, grounding yet liberating month of my life.
About three hours before jumping in the car with my mother and Cory (fellow SUS B&Ber I met and introduced to the cause up in Boone, NC as I explored ASU) and there is still so much to do!!! Big things like buying another pair of bike shorts and maybe some better tires, and then small things like logistics of an address list and emailing people and making sure I have stuff I need on my memory stick. Exciting, yeah?? :)
So maybe less talk, more do? Yeah...
Sitting at the lovely and newly discovered Civilization cafe to grab some quick internet and coffee before today's bike ride. Apologies for the massive update gap! I have found myself in a paradisaical home in all ways, but for the lack of internet access. Or perhaps that is for the best?
Since my last post, WOW! So much has happened! The fundraiser at Gelato Company was a HUGGGEEE success!! So much fun, so many wonderful people, so many fantastic local businesses donating gift certificates and goods!! Calling out raffle numbers to a crowd of eager ticket holders made me giddy. Fundraising feels so good when it's mutually beneficial to people and the community! It was fun just to bike around town and poke my nose into places I had never been and speak with store owners about Bike and Build.
A big thank you to:
Bistro to Go
Luca's Pasta
Coffee Culture
Recycled Bikes
Monica Grey's Massage
Olive Garden
Mr. Goodbike
Gator Dawgs
Emi
and the Gelato Company!!
And of course everyone who came!!!!!
Please consider heading to these places next time you need a bite to eat, a massage, or some bike work done. Bistro to Go and Luca's Pasta are local businesses and sooooo yummy! Both have meat and vegetarian/vegan options. (PS - If you speak French and want to practice, go to Luca's.)
I've been biking more and more, buying odds and ends for my bike ride as May 27 draws closer and closer (eek!). I'm getting used to waddling around in diaper-like bike shorts. If you've never worn a pair, I suggest experiencing it at least once in your life.
Went to Gator Cycle yesterday (thank you for the fabulous gear deals!) and my mother remarked on my inclination for the color pink! Which, if you know me, is not a very "Meira-like-color." But now I've got a pink helmet, pink gloves, and I'm scouring around for pink bike shorts. Hopefully my skin won't soon match these accessories... Luis went on a ride with me the other day and returned with pink forearms! Poor guy didn't know what he was in for. I'm hoping growing up in Florida's oppressive heat will have prepared me (mentally and physically) for the journey ahead.
What else? In a day or two I will be heading up to Boone, NC to look for Fall housing. I can't believe how everything is just falling into place! It's like I've drawn out my hopscotch board on the ground and now all that's left is to hop!!!
Fundraising status: $3573.81 out of $4000 raised!
Any ideas for raising the last bit? I'm worried it will have to come out of my own pocket, even though I've already spent upwards of $1000 on this trip so far. Soo glad I came back to Gainesville and found a job or I would be in biiigg trouble! :D
Since my last post, WOW! So much has happened! The fundraiser at Gelato Company was a HUGGGEEE success!! So much fun, so many wonderful people, so many fantastic local businesses donating gift certificates and goods!! Calling out raffle numbers to a crowd of eager ticket holders made me giddy. Fundraising feels so good when it's mutually beneficial to people and the community! It was fun just to bike around town and poke my nose into places I had never been and speak with store owners about Bike and Build.
A big thank you to:
Bistro to Go
Luca's Pasta
Coffee Culture
Recycled Bikes
Monica Grey's Massage
Olive Garden
Mr. Goodbike
Gator Dawgs
Emi
and the Gelato Company!!
And of course everyone who came!!!!!
Please consider heading to these places next time you need a bite to eat, a massage, or some bike work done. Bistro to Go and Luca's Pasta are local businesses and sooooo yummy! Both have meat and vegetarian/vegan options. (PS - If you speak French and want to practice, go to Luca's.)
I've been biking more and more, buying odds and ends for my bike ride as May 27 draws closer and closer (eek!). I'm getting used to waddling around in diaper-like bike shorts. If you've never worn a pair, I suggest experiencing it at least once in your life.
Went to Gator Cycle yesterday (thank you for the fabulous gear deals!) and my mother remarked on my inclination for the color pink! Which, if you know me, is not a very "Meira-like-color." But now I've got a pink helmet, pink gloves, and I'm scouring around for pink bike shorts. Hopefully my skin won't soon match these accessories... Luis went on a ride with me the other day and returned with pink forearms! Poor guy didn't know what he was in for. I'm hoping growing up in Florida's oppressive heat will have prepared me (mentally and physically) for the journey ahead.
What else? In a day or two I will be heading up to Boone, NC to look for Fall housing. I can't believe how everything is just falling into place! It's like I've drawn out my hopscotch board on the ground and now all that's left is to hop!!!
Fundraising status: $3573.81 out of $4000 raised!
Any ideas for raising the last bit? I'm worried it will have to come out of my own pocket, even though I've already spent upwards of $1000 on this trip so far. Soo glad I came back to Gainesville and found a job or I would be in biiigg trouble! :D
I wanted to give a big thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far! Today I finally reached the actually halfway mark, at $2158.81!!!!
(Now I just need to, umm, double this.... somehow... but anyways...!!)
Thank you Trey for donating free Thai Massages!
Thank you Ann, Pam, Jon & Kerri, Emi, Charlie Brown, Vasanto, John "Pizza-man", my mother and Sweet Dreams for a wonderful night of ice cream and silent auction!!
Thank you Sherman & Adria, Jean, Skye, Gerald, Kinjal, Karina, Nurallah, Shaya and Bahira, Master John and Robbie and Liddy, Adrienne, Sheldo Baggins, Marion, Ana, Eva, Elizabeth, Faith, Norman, Richard and Jamie, Lynne and Alan, Allison, Nina and Sol, Heart and Jeffrey, Amichai and Shana, Eve, Bob, Jean and Ron, Stan the Fix-it Man, Sandy and Chuck, ANNND Jeff and Karen!!!!!!!!!
(Now I just need to, umm, double this.... somehow... but anyways...!!)
Thank you Trey for donating free Thai Massages!
Thank you Ann, Pam, Jon & Kerri, Emi, Charlie Brown, Vasanto, John "Pizza-man", my mother and Sweet Dreams for a wonderful night of ice cream and silent auction!!
Thank you Sherman & Adria, Jean, Skye, Gerald, Kinjal, Karina, Nurallah, Shaya and Bahira, Master John and Robbie and Liddy, Adrienne, Sheldo Baggins, Marion, Ana, Eva, Elizabeth, Faith, Norman, Richard and Jamie, Lynne and Alan, Allison, Nina and Sol, Heart and Jeffrey, Amichai and Shana, Eve, Bob, Jean and Ron, Stan the Fix-it Man, Sandy and Chuck, ANNND Jeff and Karen!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
- "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
Dictionary.com: PACE
(n). a rate of activity, progress, growth, performance, etc.; tempo.
(idiom). "Set the pace" - to act as an example for others to equal or rival; be the most progressive or successful: an agency that sets the pace in advertising.
An appropriate word all-around. My dear AMAZING AWESOME BEAUTIFUL INSPIRING (ahem, calm down Meira) super-twinkly friend Emi has graciously and creatively offered to combine efforts with me to fundraise for Bike and Build while helping the girls at the PACE Center of Alachua earn community service hours while having a chance to contribute to an organization that directly impacts their lives. (Yay for run-on sentences.)
On Monday, April 19th, we will make posters and raise awareness about affordable housing on UF campus. It will give the girls at PACE a chance to step onto a college campus and interact with students. Hopefully they will also get to experience Krishna Lunch! We also hope that the gelato company will agree to sponsor our event by providing delicious samples!
It is because of these very real people who experience very real poverty that I am so compelled to be a part of Bike and Build. It is not so I can devote my summer to fostering horrendous tan lines and grotesquely bulky quads . We are not building houses just so we can stand back and tell ourselves how cool we are for making the world a better place. We are not devoting our summer to a cause to make our resumes look more snazzy. It is not about "us" or "me". We are the vessels of everyone else who contributes to and cares about this cause. About what it means to grow up in low-income housing, to survive on one meal a day, to worry about our family's health. We may simplify our journey with the phrase "Bike and Build," say that we're helping to build homes. But what we are doing is building hope and a brighter future.
Apologies for not updating more - please don't assume that I have been slacking off. In fact, I have been quite the opposite. Doing what, you might ask?
1) Training! I have my bike. It is beautiful. Look at it and swoon. When the weather is also beautiful, I ride. Yes, I know, I need to practice riding in miserable weather. In good time... I plan to torture myself this weekend with a rainy expedition.
2) Fundraising! I planned an event at the local homemade icecream store Sweet Dreams. Combined with ice cream sales and the silent auction, I made a little over $200! Cha-ching! All for a good delicious cause! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and showed their support! I promise I will not bother these same people again, so you're safe (for now)! My new focus will be local businesses. And a bike-a-thon (plus bake sale?) on UF campus.
3) Working! Every weekday I wake up bright and early (actually, so early it is not yet bright outside) to teach at a childcare center, mainly with four and five-year-olds. Everyday I feel admiration for all those parents in the world who spend 24/7, for at least 18 years, doing something that exhausts me after only 8 hours! Sure, children are easier to deal with one-on-one, rather than in packs of thirty, but I still believe parenting is akin to being a superhero!
4) Volunteering! After extensive training (60 hours!) I am now able to volunteer at a crisis phone line. It has been a challenging yet rewarding experience that has helped me become a more compassionate and empathetic person.
5) Graduate schooling! I was accepted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Appalachian State University! As soon as my Bike and Build ride ends in San Francisco on August 9th, I will need to beeline it for Boone, NC for classes starting August 25th. And, um, somehow be settled in a home (and job?). Eek.
So more-or-less, that's my current life in a nutshell. Hopefully I'll reach $4000 sooner rather than later! I still feel skittish asking people for money! Will I ever be bold enough to get in a stranger's face and preach at them about affordable housing?? Hmm...
1) Training! I have my bike. It is beautiful. Look at it and swoon. When the weather is also beautiful, I ride. Yes, I know, I need to practice riding in miserable weather. In good time... I plan to torture myself this weekend with a rainy expedition.
2) Fundraising! I planned an event at the local homemade icecream store Sweet Dreams. Combined with ice cream sales and the silent auction, I made a little over $200! Cha-ching! All for a good delicious cause! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and showed their support! I promise I will not bother these same people again, so you're safe (for now)! My new focus will be local businesses. And a bike-a-thon (plus bake sale?) on UF campus.
3) Working! Every weekday I wake up bright and early (actually, so early it is not yet bright outside) to teach at a childcare center, mainly with four and five-year-olds. Everyday I feel admiration for all those parents in the world who spend 24/7, for at least 18 years, doing something that exhausts me after only 8 hours! Sure, children are easier to deal with one-on-one, rather than in packs of thirty, but I still believe parenting is akin to being a superhero!
4) Volunteering! After extensive training (60 hours!) I am now able to volunteer at a crisis phone line. It has been a challenging yet rewarding experience that has helped me become a more compassionate and empathetic person.
5) Graduate schooling! I was accepted to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Appalachian State University! As soon as my Bike and Build ride ends in San Francisco on August 9th, I will need to beeline it for Boone, NC for classes starting August 25th. And, um, somehow be settled in a home (and job?). Eek.
So more-or-less, that's my current life in a nutshell. Hopefully I'll reach $4000 sooner rather than later! I still feel skittish asking people for money! Will I ever be bold enough to get in a stranger's face and preach at them about affordable housing?? Hmm...
Wow! I've hit the $1000 mark!!! I never would have believed this was possible. Only $3000 more to go! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has supported this worthy cause.
This means soon I can start training on the bike that I will be taking cross-country!!! YAY!!! How many exclamation marks are needed to convey my joy!!!!?
I'm now buckling down and writing to all the companies that I love, who I hope will love me too. Companies like Clif Bars, Sunshine Burgers, Primal Strips. After meeting with some fellow Bike and Builders this week (we met at Steamers, where the food was delish and my enthusiasm for this trip was reinvigorated thanks to tales by Megan O'Brien that I really shouldn't share, hehe) my fears about maintaining a vegan diet reared their ugly heads and roared, "Get a reality check!" Being a vegetarian will be hard enough. I still may be hungry while my companions continue to munch down on meaty dishes lovingly offered by our hosts for the night, but I won't starve. Being vegan, I just might. I really feel strongly about maintaining a vegan lifestyle. I want my choices to reflect my ideals. (Who doesn't?) But I also don't want my whole trip to be sabotaged because I feel too weak and hungry to ride/build. It bothers me that our country is not more vegan-friendly. But I won't go on a tirade about that, because I should only tackle one cause at a time. People need housing. Yes yes yes!
Any ideas on how to keep vegan on the road?
That was more of a tangent than I thought. But I really really want to express my heartfelt gratitude for everyone who believes in me and who cares about ending poverty housing in America. Mile by mile, house by house, we will be the change we wish to see. THANK YOU!!!!
This means soon I can start training on the bike that I will be taking cross-country!!! YAY!!! How many exclamation marks are needed to convey my joy!!!!?
I'm now buckling down and writing to all the companies that I love, who I hope will love me too. Companies like Clif Bars, Sunshine Burgers, Primal Strips. After meeting with some fellow Bike and Builders this week (we met at Steamers, where the food was delish and my enthusiasm for this trip was reinvigorated thanks to tales by Megan O'Brien that I really shouldn't share, hehe) my fears about maintaining a vegan diet reared their ugly heads and roared, "Get a reality check!" Being a vegetarian will be hard enough. I still may be hungry while my companions continue to munch down on meaty dishes lovingly offered by our hosts for the night, but I won't starve. Being vegan, I just might. I really feel strongly about maintaining a vegan lifestyle. I want my choices to reflect my ideals. (Who doesn't?) But I also don't want my whole trip to be sabotaged because I feel too weak and hungry to ride/build. It bothers me that our country is not more vegan-friendly. But I won't go on a tirade about that, because I should only tackle one cause at a time. People need housing. Yes yes yes!
Any ideas on how to keep vegan on the road?
That was more of a tangent than I thought. But I really really want to express my heartfelt gratitude for everyone who believes in me and who cares about ending poverty housing in America. Mile by mile, house by house, we will be the change we wish to see. THANK YOU!!!!
Back in Gainesville after a quick wild trip to California and back. I'll be staying here for the next few months, until our Bike and Build trip begins May 27. My plans are to work work work and play play play!! I have the opportunity to hang out with my grandmother, volunteer with the Crisis Center, and hopefully soon be working for an elementary school. And bike of course! I haven't focused as much on fundraising as many others seem to, but now that I have a house and am thus not living out of a suitcase anymore, it will be easier to turn my attention back to Bike and Build.
I can't wait to raise enough to get my bike and start training hardcore! There's a nearby 32 mile Hawthorne Trail that is always a pleasure to head out on with some friends and a picnic lunch.
My hope is to be able to pull off a fundraising dating auction, though I'm currently trying to figure out a good location to hold it at. Watch out; single or not, I may try to lure you into my schemes!! :)
I can't wait to raise enough to get my bike and start training hardcore! There's a nearby 32 mile Hawthorne Trail that is always a pleasure to head out on with some friends and a picnic lunch.
My hope is to be able to pull off a fundraising dating auction, though I'm currently trying to figure out a good location to hold it at. Watch out; single or not, I may try to lure you into my schemes!! :)
Hello everyone! I've started this blog to keep people updated about my upcoming adventure. In the summer of 2010, I will be biking from Jacksonville to San Francisco. Not alone, but with a group of people who share a passion for helping others and are concerned about affordable housing problems in the US. You might have heard of Bike and Build. If not, you can learn more about it by going to bikeandbuild.org or feel free to ask me about it.
Life has been hectic, but it's time to start fundraising! My goal is to raise more than $4000. So tomorrow I sit down and focus! I have mixed feelings about asking people for money, but as we were told: if you don't ask, how can you expect to receive? And without money, how would programs like Bike and Build be possible?
I wish money was never an issue. I just spent two months volunteering at the Gesundheit! Institute, where I met the REAL Patch Adams. He has a dream of building a hospital that provides free health care. Free. How amazing would that be if all of our basic needs were free? Hah, anyways, after volunteering there I went on a road trip for two weeks to explore graduate schools. In two days, I will be driving with a friend out to California. If only we had time to bike it... :)
Well, thanks for reading!
Meira
Life has been hectic, but it's time to start fundraising! My goal is to raise more than $4000. So tomorrow I sit down and focus! I have mixed feelings about asking people for money, but as we were told: if you don't ask, how can you expect to receive? And without money, how would programs like Bike and Build be possible?
I wish money was never an issue. I just spent two months volunteering at the Gesundheit! Institute, where I met the REAL Patch Adams. He has a dream of building a hospital that provides free health care. Free. How amazing would that be if all of our basic needs were free? Hah, anyways, after volunteering there I went on a road trip for two weeks to explore graduate schools. In two days, I will be driving with a friend out to California. If only we had time to bike it... :)
Well, thanks for reading!
Meira
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Southern U.S.
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| Meira has currently raised $4,125. That's 103% of $4,000. |
Southern U.S.'s Affordable Housing impact:
May 28 - Jacksonville, FLJun 5 - Panama City, FL
Jun 9 - Mobile, AL
Jun 10 - Mobile, AL
Jun 14 - New Orleans, LA
Jun 15 - New Orleans, LA
Jun 16 - New Orleans, LA
Jun 17 - New Orleans, LA
Jun 18 - New Orleans, LA
Jun 19 - New Orleans, LA
Jun 21 - Baton Rouge, LA
Jun 29 - Dallas, TX
Jun 30 - Dallas, TX
Jul 12 - Santa Fe, NM
Jul 16 - Farmington, NM
Aug 5 - Yuba City, CA
Aug 7 - Napa, CA