I have a bed!!

This is what today looked like:


Ohio is really different from Pa so far. A little flatter, really green, full of corn and soy beans. We saw an Amish buggy, which drove by as we were taking a photo of a buggy crossing sign...awkward...haha. We had a long day-87 miles, but it was fairly easy, perfect weather, and really nice. We also stopped to eat lunch at a fire station where the firefighters let us climb all over their trucks and try on their clothes. It was awesome. Aaaaand we are staying at Kenyan college tonight. In singles. With beds. Best surprise ever. Basically I'm going to bed at like 8 so I can cherish a bed longer.



This is from our last build day in Youngstown. I learned how to concrete the side of the house with Adrienne. Unfortunately that tan line is even worse now. It's obscene.




Us at Celtic cafe, a sweet bar in Franklin, Pa. They loved us and gave everyone free shirts when we went to watch the world cup game.

Ps: sorry photos are sideways. I can't rotate them on my phone.

More photos!

FYI: these are just ones I have on my phone, soon we will upload our hundreds of awesome photos onto the b&b website so you can see them there... I'll let you know when that happens


Our first build day in providence







Wheel dip ceremony!







Working on our awesome trailer



Other side

I just figured out how to post photos from my phone on here! I guess I should start taking more. Unfortunately my last few posts were accidentally deleted because of Internet issues, but basically:
1. It's been an amazing few days full of sweet biking, great views, a pretty reservoir, movies, and swimming!

2. Thanks sooo much for the packages! You guys are the best!

3. Today: was awesome. I rode with the front group all day. We got to ride on two bike paths, which were really pretty, and the church we are staying in has a huge tv, wii, games, etc... We also got to watch the US V. Ghana world cup game (sad...) at a local bar that gave us all cool shirts for free!

Sweeeeeepppp

Had my first official sweep day today. It was really relaxing...except for the millions of trucks on the road today, which were terrifying. Got my first donation-magic ice cream! Other than that, pretty uneventful. We rode the same rode for 56 miles, so at least nobody got lost! Wellsborough is a great little town. We got to go swimming, and the local bike shop donated a pump. Good to see some civilization after yesterday's middle of nowhere stay!

Location:Main St,Wellsboro,United States

Day off!!! And Wysox

Our Binhamton build day turned in to a day off because of some problems involving penguins...long story. Anyways we got the most well-timed day off ever. After two really crazy, mountany, hard days (I actually hit 46.6 mph on one hill...) we all needed a break. We spent the night we got in watching Clue and basically laying in a pile (there was also some ping pong). Then we slept in...waaaaay past 6 am. It was wonderful. We spent the morning walking around looking at thrift stores, etc... Then, we walked for 4 miles looking for a pool, which we found. Maddy got us all in for free because she "didn't look like she was from around here...or sound like it." Then we all went to see Toy story 3 (go see it!!!) and to a diner for dinner. It was such a great day! Getting on the bike this morning felt so good after a rest. We had an easy downhill/flat 60 miles today. Got in really early so we could just lounge around today! We're all getting really close, so hanging out is really fun.

Location:Standing Stone,United States

Update!

The last two days have been pretty crazy! Yesterday we rode 75 miles and climbed over 4000 feet. It was beautiful and exciting, but really hard. We All passed out by 9 for 5 am wakeup today. Today we rode 85 miles, but it was a much flatter ride. I had a great morning: a huge group of as all rode together in a clump since the roads were so empty. We also got 2 lunches, which was great. So yeah, it's been hard, but really great. You kind of make your own days good on this trip. Mountains and miles don't have that much to do with it. So excited for our day off tomorrow...my butt needs it!

Location:S Washington St,Binghamton,United States

Poughkeepsie!

Great day today! Me and another guy volunteered to be sweeps (the people who ride at the very back to make sure everyone gets to the end) so that we could catch the US world cup game. We found a deli with a tv and watched the game, which was awesome. Meanwhile the rest of the group got lost and added about 15 miles to the ride. The New York countryside is breautiful with rolling hills. We also hit our first mountain (Windgate mountain??) which was intense. Really steep and long, but so worth the view and descent from the top! We also got to go swimming at the local gym that provided showers. 75 miles tomorrow!!! Let you know how that goes...

Location:N White St,Poughkeepsie,United States

Whooooo!!! Life is sooo good!

I'm writing from Granby, connecticut using wifi from a host church on my phone (sorry for type-o's...my phone keyboard is not great). So far, I've biked about 105 miles from providence in two days. It's been amazing.

We started with 2 days of orientation in Providence where we went on a practice ride n learned a few techniques (sharp turns, fast stops, etc...). I am sporting crazy bruises and chain grease marks, but I know a lot more about fixing bikes! Our last day in providence was a build day. We painted a duplex home with providence habitat. Lots of fun.

Yesterday we rode from providence on pomphret Connecticut (~45 miles). It was a great ride, and we still had lots of energy when we got there to paint our trailer and play soccer and frisbee.

Today we rode about 60 miles across hilly Connecticut. Way more tiring than yesterday...the furthest I've ever ridden! It was pretty incredible. I'm getting to know my group, and loving every minute!

Basically, we wake up at 6 am (we're all passed out by 11pm), have breakfast, pump our tires, and head out in groups of 3-6. Everything is beautiful and riding all day is just amazing. The group is also really great (tons of ultimate players!!). Im the youngest, which is pretty cool. Lots of really interesting people and stories. We get a ton of our meals donated (we don't pay for any meals unless we decide to go out), and Maddy and I are competing to see who can get the most free ice cream. So basically best summer ever! I hope we keep staying in awesome wifi areas, but we'll see. I'll keep trying!

Location:N Granby Rd,Granby,United States

2 more days!!!

Hey!

A few things before I start my adventure (SOOO EXCITED!!!):

I don't really know how often I'll have internet, but I will update every time I can! I can still get/send emails, letters, texts, etc...

You can track me everyday here: http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/route.php?route=P2S&year=2010

Thanks SO much to EVERYONE who has helped get me through this fundraising adventure. Local businesses, donators, and family. My friends at Dartmouth have been amazing. Thanks for buying our grilled cheese and putting dash on your accounts. and thanks for the tupperware/video games/granola bars/advice. ALSO Maddy has been amazing this whole time. I would not have gotten anywhere without her. THANK YOU for dealing with everything and keeping things fun!

Like I said, I'll keep in touch as much as I can! Can't wait to see everyone when I get back, and I'm really excited to start riding!

thanks again, and see you in August!