Heather Nelson

Hey Everyone! I have made it to the Rockies! Today was an incredible day! We climbed Trail Ridge Road which is the highest continuously paved highway in America. It was a 20 mile continuous climb with some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. The climb took about 5 hours including waiting for construction for about an hour. Once we made it to the top, over 12,000 feet, the descent was amazing. There was a 15 mile descent and then basically a slight decline all the way into Granby Colorado. I saw Elk and a moose today too. Tomorrow we are headed to Breckenridge, about 80 miles. I know I haven't written in a while, so some of the major events that have happened are that we crossed half way, climbed on the worlds largest ball of twine, stood at the geographical center of the USA, and had another build day in Loveland Colorado where we put up trusses on houses which was awesome. I am still having the most amazing time and cant believe how far into the trip we are. Thanks for reading!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post but I have not had access to a computer in a while. I am still having an amazing time and am almost reaching half way. I am in Lawrence Kansas where we just had two build days. Before I talk about those though I will try to remember some of the more exciting things that have happened in the past week. There have been a lot of corn fields and not many hills which has been nice. Roads have been quieter so we have been able to talk more and get to know each other better. One of my favorite rides was into Pittsfield Illinois it was a great ride and then when we got into town one of the church members of the church we ate dinner at was a hair dresser and gave everyone free haircuts. A lot of people got mohawks, girls and boys and they all look great. I was not one of those people though. That night we had homestays. Riders went of in pairs or groups to stay with families in their homes. There were 10 of us that stayed in motel rooms because we did not have host families for what ever reason, but the motel was great. It was safari themed, and sleeping in a real bed with covers and a pillow was amazing. We woke up the next morning and were greeted at the church by the news that we were only biking 36 miles that day because there had been a mudslide that had wiped out where we were supposed to bike so we ended up having to take the interstate which was awesome because we got a police escort over the Mississippi river into Missouri. They blocked traffic and turned on their sirens and lights as we all biked into the church. We ended in Hannibal Missouri, Mark Twains boyhood home. My aunt met me there and took me out for a delicious dinner and to Walmart to pick up some things that I needed. On one of the rides we crossed paths with a group of cyclists traveling in the opposite direction, going from SF to Portsmith NH. People are waiting for the computer so I am going to skip ahead to the build. We worked there for two days which as great to see the progress we made. When we showed up the house was basically just the exterior frame. We put up all the plywood and built and put up all the interior walls. It was really fun but also really hot. The heat index yesterday was 115 degrees. Tomorrow we are off to Manhattan Kansas and then eventually up into Nebraska. The Rockies are slowly approaching but I am really excited because it is going to be beautiful. laundry just got back so I am going to sign off now. Thanks for reading!

The day off was a great break. We walked down Bardstown road into some shops and to the bike shop. In the afternoon we went swimming at a giant pool and ate dinner at one of the riders fathers houses, where we had homemade cookies and cream ice cream. YUM! We played cornhole and then went to bed. The next day we all had breakfast donated to us at McDonalds and then took a detour down to see University of Louisville and ended up at Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby takes place. One of the security guards gave us a tour and took us down to the track and we got to pet some of the horses and see the jockies practicing. We continued on our way and had lunch at a great spot where I took a short nap before continuing on my way. About 3 miles from the host we pulled over at a fireworks store and bought a lot of fireworks. The store gave us a 50% discount which was really cool of them. We arrived at the host, showered and ate a delicious dinner. Once it got dark outside we headed out to watch fireworks for the 4th of July and set off the ones that we bought. It was all a lot of fun. Today we only did 45 miles but it seemed like a lot more. The roads were a little hillier than I thought they would be and it was really hot. We arrived at around 1 and I showered and took a nap. Later on I took a second nap before dinner. Dinner was at one of the Habitat board members houses. We ate corn on the cob and ham that had been cooked underground. When we got back to the church I took a third nap and then watched arrested developement. I am still exhausted and have to go to bed now because we are getting up at 4:30 tomorrow morning for a 90 mile day in 90 degree weather with high winds into Illinois. Should be fun!

Today is our first day off, in Louisville Kentucky. We all survived our first century, biking 114 miles from Flatwoods Kentucky to Paris Kentucky. The next day we did another 85 miles into Louisville. We went out last night to see the city and it was a lot of fun. There were a lot of college aged kids out because the university is really close by. We had an unbelievably good dinner in a park put on by some of the riders families. We had Qdoba and delicious pasta salad. THen we had "Puppy Chow" for desert which for anyone that doesnt know is chex mix covered in peanut butter and chocolate and then roled in confectionary sugar. I had never had it before but it was sooooo good. We are now at a coffee shop and will probably walk down town today to see the area during the day. We also got passes to a country club with a pool that is supposedly at least 5 times the size of an olympic pool so that is going to be a lot of fun, and then maybe a cook out at one of the riders families houses. Our next day off isnt until Moab Utah so I am trying to get the most out of this day as possible. I am sorry there are no pictrues up but I have not had a chance to upload any yet, but there are pictures on others riders blogs that you can get to through the bike and build website. I am having an unbelievable time and it is crazy to see how after 95 mile days and 114 mile days, an 85 mile day seems like nothing. Kentucky has been beautiful, a lot of horses and farms. We head to Indiana tomorrow and into a new time zone pretty soon! Ill write again soon hopefully!

So we have arrived in Flatwoods Kentucky, the hometown of Billy Ray Cyrus. Today was an easy ride of just 53 miles with very minimal hills. Tomorrow is our 4th build day and I hear that we are doing siding and decking. I wrote a blog last night but lost internet connection so I will try to post that sometime tomorrow but it will be a little backwards. We are now onto our 9th state and almost 1,000 miles into the trip. Our first century is on thursday and I am sweep that day meaning that myself and one other person have to be the last people and need to carry the first aid kit and spare tire and the cow bell. I am nervous and think that it will be a very very long day. Since getting through West Virginia the hills have become a lot less steep and more manageable. I am having an amazing time, and meeting great people , eating delicious food (probably too much of it but thats ok) and seeing some of the most beautiful sites. Hopefully I will write again soon!

So today we woke up at 4:00 AM because we are going 95 miles in 90 degree heat. yay. We will be having a scavenger hunt though on the ride today, and 2 LUNCHES! Yesterday was our build day and I learned how to side a house. I also went to the Mon Alto carnival and watched a baby cow being born. Which was wicked cool but so gross. Off to Cumberland Maryland, which means we get to pass another state line. It is almost breakfast time so I am signing off for now.

Hello,
I am now in Chambersburg Pennsylvania and have a build day tomorrow. Last build day we did demolition on a house that was being rehabed. I ripped down fake wood paneling and pulled up carpet. It was a lot of fun and I am excited to see what the build project will be tomorrow. We are staying at a homeless shelter for the next two nights and we get beds!!! Pennsylvania has been really beautiful, and much less hilly than Connecticut. A lot of farms and fields. I have met some really kind amazing people so far. Back in Stroudsburg we went to a bakery at closing time and they donated 5 trash bags full of delicious bread, donuts, etc. I am learning how to take care of my bike, changing tires and degreasing the chain. We went through Hershey yesterday but didnt stop at the amusement park. Tonight my brother is coming up to visit so it will be great to see him. I am taking lots of pictures, and will hopefully be able to upload some soon. I am starting to get some serious jersey and spandex tan lines, and best of all, glove tan lines. I am eating lots of peanut butter and jelly. We are making progress and will be headed to Cumberland, MD after the build day and then on to West Virginia for my birthday:) I hope everyone is having a great summer! Thanks everyone for reading!
-Heather

Hey Everyone!
Thanks for all the posts and support. I am now in Middletown New York after a 73 mile day today. Who knew Rhode Island/Conneticut/ New York were so hilly. Everyone is really cool and I have been having a great time. 6 am mornings are a little tough but I think I will eventually get used to it. The hospitality of all our hosts has been unbelievable. Tomorrow we pass two state lines, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Today we worked some donation magic and got free ice cream. I love it when we are waiting at red lights and people roll down their windows and ask where were headed and we say San Francisco and they always just laugh and say well good luck. Sorry if this blog post doesn't make a lot of sense but I am a little tired. Our second build day is coming up on Saturday so that will be a nice break from the bike. I am off to paint/decorate our trailer now but hopefully I will get the chance to write again soon. Go Celtics!

Hey Everyone!
I'm about to take off for Providence. Packing was a struggle but I managed to fit everything for now...until I get my thermarest and then we will see how that goes. My final total for money raised is $5,000 so thank you all again! I am really excited and nervous. We have orientation for two days, with ice breakers and learning about bike maintenance and then we have our first build day with habitat in providence. Monday we dip our back tires in the Atlantic Ocean and then take off from there! I'll hopefully write again soon.
-Heather

Hi! This is my first blog post. Today I went for a 25 mile bike ride with my new clipless pedals. The weather was perfect and all my new bike equipment was great. I have now reached $4860 in donations so thank you to everyone for all the support!