Mississippi!

We had a shorter ride today than previous days at about 72 miles. This is our average for the trip and after our two long days, this mileage was very relaxed. Noah, Josh, and I were doing great on time and zooming through the ride. We stopped for an early lunch at an incredible chicken spot and had the best sweet tea ever.

The second half of the ride was on the coast of Mississippi, and we stopped by a City of Biloxi firefighter festival near the local Hard Rock casino. We got to talking with the locals and they told us that the casino opened shortly before Hurricane Katrina and it was completely ruined except for guitar statue out front. It had then been rebuilt but most of the neighboring lots had been abandoned. They also directed us towards the Mississippi Hurricane Katrina Memorial which was extremely powerful. It included a twelve foot wall which stood in remembrance of the 12 foot surges and some of the victims' household items. These trophies and other everyday items impacted us greatly.

When we arrived at the host we took a walk to the beach to unwind and relax but instead got chased home but a wicked rainstorm. We then decided to embrace the rain and partake in a yoga session in the parking lot. The night ended with tacos and a debriefing on New Orleans, and what conditions we'll be riding into tomorrow and building with for the rest of the week.

Unrelated note- Mom and Mac are keeping it locked down at FGCU.

'Bama

We took off from Pensacola bright and early with plans to accomplish our second century in a row. I rode with Lauren and Brad, two of the faster riders of the group. I was excited about the fast pace and once we got on the road, I was even more excited about the tailwinds.

At about mile 65, once we already crossed into Alabama, we took a ferry ride from one peninsula to another- a nice 45 minute break. With our pace averaging around 21 for a long while, we were the first to arrive at the host and got to indulge in chocolate milk and cantaloupe. We had rice and curry for dinner and after our regular Saturday ritual of family meeting, we were out like lights.

The second century felt so good, and knowing that I pushed myself as hard as I did made it feel even better. Don't get me wrong, parts of a 100 mile ride are miserable (specifically around 85-95) but it is worth overcoming to feel the high of the success.

Pensacola- First Century!!

I'm We started the day with the best breakfast of the trip so far, including bacon that is in my Top 3 and pancakes straight from heaven. We were going to need as much food as possible to begin our 98 mile day. Everyone was super optimistic and ready to get rolling.

We got lucky with tailwinds and huge stretches of downhill and cranked our war to lunch by 10:30. Weather wise, it was the first day we didn't feel like we were in Florida because we woke up to temps in the mid 60s and it was tolerable for more of the day in the low 80s. Because we were going over 90 miles we got a second lunch around mile 75 and proceeded to take a quick beach break at around mile 80.

Riding through Pensacola Beach was the most beautiful way to spent the day and made the ride so enjoyable. We added on another two miles to the end of the trip so we evened out at 100, our first century! Tropical Smoothie was the only way to celebrate our new accomplishment but a nap was much needed once we realized we have another 96 tomorrow.

We are considering adding on the four miles tomorrow but it really depends on how the ride goes. Two centuries in two days would be a challenge for even the most experienced cyclist.

Defuniak Springs

We had another hard ride on Thursday with more rolling hills and headwinds. It totaled just over 63 but felt so much more difficult. On the last 15 miles there was heavy construction on a two lane highway that led to the most dangerous riding I've ever experienced.

When we got to the host we were all pretty shaken up and beat but treated to a lovely dinner by the church. There band also provided us with a mini concert which gave us time to unwind a bit. The most incredible part of the evening was when we were all getting ready for bed, Ben, a relatively quiet guy on the trip, pulled out his ukulele and performed "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. It brought tears to our eyes and was such an unexpected experience.

We had a family meeting just before bed to make sure we were all on the same page after a rough day of riding and to make sure we weren't going to go into Friday riding scared.

Panama City

We headed out nice and early toward Panama City in order to avoid of headwinds and heat. The ride was only 65 miles and even though still tough, it was significantly better than yesterday. My knee has been giving me tousle but ice and aleeve have been my best friends.

We are staying at Girls Inc. an after school program for girls with a mission very similar to ours. We gave them a Bike and Build presentation and they treated us to a song that brought tears to our eyes. Then one of girls, Paige that I spoke with only briefly, handed me a picture of the two of us dancing. It was such an emotional evening that we werent even expecting.

To Apalachicola

Tuesday we had our hardest ride of the trip, an 80 mile day with really strong headwinds the entire time. The town is on the Gulf Coast and so we rode on Coastal Highway for about 40 miles. The winds coming off of the water were upwards of 25-30 mph and we were moving around 13 mph. 

Our final challenge was reaching a 5 mile bridge which brought every ounce of motivation out of me. I've never pushed myself so hard to accomplish something this physically challenging in my life. When we got to the bottom we were treated with hose showers and a shrimp boil. A B&B alum owned an ice cream shop in town and treated us to gelato and amazing coffee.

We spent the rest of the evening watching the sunset and playing improv games back at the host. It was the perfect end to a really tough night and it made everything worth the while. Even though it pains me to say it, the hard days may be more rewarding than the easier ones.

Tallahassee

Sorry I'm a little behind, I promise to catch up. We've had a crazy last few days. We finished up camping and headed towards Tallahassee on Sunday. There were tons of rolling hills that created a huge challenge for us. As we arrived at the state capital building we headed towards FSU. We stayed at the Wesley Foundation which was right off of Jefferson St for those Seminole fans reading.

I met up with a friend from back home, Crystal and spent the evening out with her. It was nice to catch up with her and talk with someone from outside of the Bike and Build bubble (as awesome as it is). We then had a build day on Monday with Big Bend Habitat where we helped put up siding.  

It was awesome to be in the town and have enough time to explore tally, having been a Seminole fan for most of my life it never gets old.

Towards Lake City

We rode out from Palatka on Friday with a 78 mile ahead of us and a delicious breakfast in our stomachs. I was a sweep rider, one of the two people that stays back and rides last to make sure everyone is on track and doesn't have any emergencies. Because we had to ride at the pace of the slowest group, we took it pretty easy up until lunch.

Lunch was donated by a Bike and Build alum, and we devoured it. Pastries, lunch meat and hummus is the way to a rider's heart.

On the way to Lake City we hit our first big rainstorm, which was both refreshing and nerve wrecking. On a brighter note I hit 31.7 mph on my bike during a downhill- my fastest so far but I'm sure it'll get faster :)

We arrived at a Presbyterian church and they had popsicles and taco salad waiting. It was heavenly and solidified my theory that we've been spoiled as far as food goes.

The ride itself felt great, we had such a high when we finished but the foam roller definitely relieved some pain when we settled down.

P-Town

We had a short day today only having to ride around 30 miles into Palatka, FL. There were lots of detours and fruit stands along the way, and we were determined to make the most of the day. We crossed the St John's River and had lunch sitting on the dock of a beautiful local park. After exploring the area and going on a mural tour around town we met up with our hosts, St Monica's Catholic Church. They provided us with the most incredible spaghetti and meatballs I've had in a long time.

We talked with a bunch of members of the church throughout the evening and I couldn't get over how much pride they had for Palatka. Their sense of community is so strong and shines through in their efforts to restore the historic district of the town.

As reigning foosball champion, we had our shoes strapped in by the runner ups this morning 

To St Augustine We Go

This morning we were up bright and early (5:30ish) to begin our first ride day. After cleaning the host houses and packing the trailer, we headed to the beach for our Atlantic Ocean wheel dip. Once we got there, we took a few moments to reflect and recognize the monumental journey we have ahead. We then dipped our back tires in the Atlantic Ocean, while saving our front ones for the Pacific.

After pictures and figuring out a few more logistics, we were off in small groups, with the beach still in sight and headed to St Augustine. I got one flat about four miles in, which was extremely frustrating because we were just settling into a pace. Then, about 5 miles until the lunch stop I got another, and was pretty fed up at that point with my back tire. Luckily after we met up with the van for some donated chipotle, the Bike and Build Program Director Natalie used her cycling excellence and found the problem. The majority of my flats have been because the rim tape (between the rim and tube) is loose and can pinch the tube when it shifts. She applied another roll of tape and that problem has been solved. Hopefully I won't have to deal with as many flats now...

Once we arrived in St Augustine after just over 35 miles we walked around town for a bit, then came back and watched the trip leaders give a presentation on Bike and Build to our hosts, the First Union Methodist Church. We then spent the rest of the night doing push up challenges, playing basketball and doing a crazy ab workout put on by Natalie (yes, doing all three after riding was a little tiring but I will sleep well tonight).

Today involved a lot of reflection and was definitely emotional but it felt so good to not have any other worries (That is only 97% true because sport club work never ends but is always worth it). One of the kids at the presentation asked us how long we have known each other and we laughed when we realized it's only been 4 days. Everyone has gotten along so well and we are functioning like one giant, 30 person family. 

(Far right in a stylish red bandana)

Orientation!

Mother's Day (Sunday) was drop off and the festivities began shortly after I said my goodbyes to M&D. It's only a few months until we meet again at the Pacific but I am so appreciative of everything they've done for me along the way.

The 30 of us began with ice breakers and then proceeded to have presentations on affordable housing (AH) and how to get the most out of our time at Bike and Build. We have been staying in two homes built by Habitat Beaches and have been fed incredibly well the entire time thanks to them!

Day 2 consisted of basic bike maintenance, safety drills, more presentations and a 20 mile shakedown ride around town. The ride felt amazingg because we really had to work as a team (in groups of 6) to do things like merge and own the lane (more on that another day). I must note that within 2 miles I got the first official flat of the trip but changed this one in under 10 minutes- a new PR. 

Today we partnered with Habitat Beaches and had our first build day! We worked from 8:30-4:30 on a 70 family housing complex that is just getting started. It was a lot of hammering as I braced the outer wall of one of the homes with fellow B&Ber Dylan. They were as grateful of the time we spent with them as we were to be there.

Tomorrow we do our Atlantic Ocean wheel dip and then are off to St Augustine!

Killing the flat game

Painting the trailer!!

My view for the majority of the day

FLL to JAX

After an undeniably perfect Mat Kearney concert with mom last night, we hit the road this morning in an awesome 2015 F150. I am fan girling this truck pretty hard (rent to own M&D?) and know it'll be my last car ride for quite some time.

I got in all of my Sweat Equity this week at Habitat of Broward's ReStore. Working in the warehouse meant 10 hours of moving cabinets, hurricane shutters, and other sorts of furniture. I'm glad I could go help make a difference and as a bonus, I spoke with a future Habitat Homeowner, Daniella. She was putting in some of her hours that are required as a future homeowner and it was really inspiring to hear her story. She was so optimistic to be placed in a home that she'll soon be able to call her own. 

These are the stories that I am looking forward to the most. I can't wait to share them with you all summer long :)

The List

Packing has been an adventure in and of itself, and trying to fit an entire summer into a 18 gallon bin has been a challenge for my self diagnosed Chronic Overpacking Syndrome (COpS). The list is as follows.

In the bin

-3 pairs of cycling shorts

-3 Bike and Build cycling jerseys

-3 pairs of Nike shorts

-3 tshirts (Freedom Friday shirt included, obviously)

-1 pair of sneakers

-1 pair of cycling shoes

-1 cycling cap

-Arm and leg sleeves

-6 pairs of socks (moisture wicking of course)

-1 sleeping bag

-1 thermarest (compact air mattress)

-1 FGCU hoodie (will double as pillow)

-1 quick dry towel

-Other normal toiletries

-5 extra tire tubes

-40 protein bars/packs of Sport Beans

-2 lbs of homemade beef jerky (thanks Sonny)

-iPad

-PVC muscle roller

In the backpack

-3 liter water bladder

-First aid kit

-GoPro

-Gloves

-Sunglasses

-Teva sandals

-Rain jacket

-Wallet

I'm sure I'm missing things but you get the idea, very minimalistic. There will also be mail drops along the way, almost every week. If you'd like to send me letters or goodies, the link to all of the places is below, and remember I'm on the Southern U.S. route! I know I will cherish notes greatly during the trip.

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,347/

One week left

We are officially moved out of our apartment and back on the east coast! It was very weird packing up because as far as personal items go, all I need are three shirts and three pairs of shorts (we do laundry every third day). Saying goodbye has been hard, especially to those graduating or leaving Fort Myers, but I'm grateful for our friendship and know they will all do incredible things. Not looking forward to saying goodbye to the rents....

With one week out I took my bike to the shop for its first tune up. I will be learning how to do more adjustments on the road but I want it in tip top shape for the beginning. I've got two build days with Habitat for Humanity of Broward this week and have some final packing to get done. Am I pretty nervous? Yes. Can I hardly wait? No.