Aliens. The whole town is centered on aliens.
We had a day off in Roswell, and had a great time both nights we were there. We stayed in a university gym and weren't provided with dinner, so a bunch of us - devon, emily, lynn and I decided to go into town to find something to eat. On our journey over, we met this group of students who were trying to study for their para medicine test the next day. Instead, they ate dinner with us at applebees and told us about Roswell and the surrounding area. They were a great group of people who definitely kept the night interesting.
The next day was glorious. Through donation magic, we got a free breakfast then set out to the alien museum. After browsing the local shops for random goodies, I went to an awesome Mexican restaurant and ate way too much.
The best part of the day was X-FILES!! We saw the movie on opening night in ROSWELL!! How perfect can it get?!? All we needed was someone to tell us their abduction story. The movie itself was decent but the experience was awesome.
I want to believe.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Hereford, TX
Late post - Beef smells bad. Feed lots are about the most disgusting things I've ever encountered. Hereford, Texas is the beef capital of the world because of its feed lots, which are where cows are held in close quarters and fatened up before they are killed. When you have that many cows in one place, the whole town smells foul. You got used to it after a while though.
Funny thing is - they fed us ham in the beef capital of the world.
Funny thing is - they fed us ham in the beef capital of the world.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Cowboy Boots
We left texas today after epic steak eating (one of our riders ate 62 oz of steak in a competition) and great hospitality. On our way into New Mexico, we discovered a western wear shop that specialized in hats and boots. They were having a giant sale and I couldn't pass up the opportunity.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Route 66
Going down Route 66 has been a grand old time. The tiny towns along the way are totally like the ones in the movie cars. Some towns are so small that we roll by without noticing, which is hard on a bike since we go kind of slow.
I love seeing the old attractions that have been preserved and some new ones that have popped up. I hope more people decide to travel down route 66. It is tons of fun and the area needs a little pick-me-up.
One comment about BIKING across the country - when you bike through a place you really get to soak up the atmosphere and notice the little things. We went into Texas today and the state line transition was the most obvious. As soon as we crossed the state line there were tons of oil rigs, churches and signs in spanish and mexican restaurants. Its amazing how the culture changes so fast from state to state (especially when it comes to Texas)
I am enjoying the plains and red soil - I'm not used to that in Wisconsin or Boston
I love seeing the old attractions that have been preserved and some new ones that have popped up. I hope more people decide to travel down route 66. It is tons of fun and the area needs a little pick-me-up.
One comment about BIKING across the country - when you bike through a place you really get to soak up the atmosphere and notice the little things. We went into Texas today and the state line transition was the most obvious. As soon as we crossed the state line there were tons of oil rigs, churches and signs in spanish and mexican restaurants. Its amazing how the culture changes so fast from state to state (especially when it comes to Texas)
I am enjoying the plains and red soil - I'm not used to that in Wisconsin or Boston
Friday, July 18, 2008
Kansas - July 13th Joplin to Vinita
The run through Kansas was tons of fun especially since it was a low mileage day. We all joined up together for a one mile sprint through Kansas since we only had an 8 mile stretch through it. We went through kansas mainly because it was close and didn't add too many miles. After the one mile sprint, we got into Oklahoma and found a river and we all took a dip. It was a great day for group bonding. The swim really cooled all of us off and to make the day even better, we got to eat lunch INSIDE an ice cream shop. Not only were we able to buy delicious ice cream, but we could relax indoors where it was air conditioned.
Later, when we got to the host, we swam again in a nearby pool as others went to see the biggest McDonalds in the US which straddles I-44.
Later, when we got to the host, we swam again in a nearby pool as others went to see the biggest McDonalds in the US which straddles I-44.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Rain Rain Go Away
It has been raining a lot on us recently, sometimes to the point where we need to stop and wait for the thunder and lightning to pass.
yesterday we had a build day where we worked on a blitz in progress and on the 30th, we had our first bike and build all in one day. Even though I got two flats it was still tons of fun.
I am now in MO, but leaving tomorrow for a quick run through Kansas to get to Oklahoma.
yesterday we had a build day where we worked on a blitz in progress and on the 30th, we had our first bike and build all in one day. Even though I got two flats it was still tons of fun.
I am now in MO, but leaving tomorrow for a quick run through Kansas to get to Oklahoma.
My Journal for June 28th when I was Sweep
Saturday June 28th Ride into Newcomerstown, OH
Today we left our gracious host early in the morning and set out for Newcomerstown, OH. One perk of Bike and Build is that everyone helps out everyone else. People will stop if someone gets a flat tire or just needs a rest. We want everyone to be safe, which is why we have something called sweep. Sweep consists of two people that always ride behind everyone else. They make sure people don’t get lost and carry extra tubes and tires.
Today, sweep had a very eventful day: Since sweep must stay behind all of the other riders, we decided to take a break early in the morning by rolling through the drive through Burger King on our bikes. Two orders of cinnaminnis later, we were content and ready to roll knowing that we were a fair distance away from the back of the pack. Just as we mounted our bikes to head out, we got a call from one of the riders that got lost. We were ahead of her! We made sure she was going in the right direction and waited for her to reach us. After biking for a while we met up with another rider who needed to get picked up and waited with her until the van came. All just a normal day until the weird starts- the other sweep was feeling that her pedal was acting weird so we stopped to take a look at it. Her pedal had fallen off the other day and it had been put on crooked in haste. To remedy this we tried to take the pedal off, but found out that we stripped the crank’s threads in the process. Luckily a kind cyclist rolled by and called her husband who came by with tools. After some engineering magic, and a long amount of time, the kind gentleman “fixed” the pedal to the crank.
The afternoon was equally eventful. After the van pulled away, the chain on the other sweep’s bike came off, and we struggled with is for a long while to get it back on. After a few miles of riding we got a call from some riders that fell on the road. They rode over some gravel and fell during a turn. Both riders were ok, just a little shaken. After checking over the riders and the bikes we determined all was right and started riding. A big hill came up and as one of the riders shifted to the “granny gear” her bike made a loud clanking noise and refused to move. We took one look at her derailleur and knew something went very wrong. Her derailleur exploded and was twisted in an awkward position. At that point it was late in the day and everyone else was into the host location, so the van driver decided to pick us all up and take us there.
A great end to the day is that it was Jane’s Birthday so we got to pick up a cake on our way back and celebrate with a good friend! Other riders had bought her a turtle hat and we all joined in to sing her a happy birthday.
Jess Leon
Today we left our gracious host early in the morning and set out for Newcomerstown, OH. One perk of Bike and Build is that everyone helps out everyone else. People will stop if someone gets a flat tire or just needs a rest. We want everyone to be safe, which is why we have something called sweep. Sweep consists of two people that always ride behind everyone else. They make sure people don’t get lost and carry extra tubes and tires.
Today, sweep had a very eventful day: Since sweep must stay behind all of the other riders, we decided to take a break early in the morning by rolling through the drive through Burger King on our bikes. Two orders of cinnaminnis later, we were content and ready to roll knowing that we were a fair distance away from the back of the pack. Just as we mounted our bikes to head out, we got a call from one of the riders that got lost. We were ahead of her! We made sure she was going in the right direction and waited for her to reach us. After biking for a while we met up with another rider who needed to get picked up and waited with her until the van came. All just a normal day until the weird starts- the other sweep was feeling that her pedal was acting weird so we stopped to take a look at it. Her pedal had fallen off the other day and it had been put on crooked in haste. To remedy this we tried to take the pedal off, but found out that we stripped the crank’s threads in the process. Luckily a kind cyclist rolled by and called her husband who came by with tools. After some engineering magic, and a long amount of time, the kind gentleman “fixed” the pedal to the crank.
The afternoon was equally eventful. After the van pulled away, the chain on the other sweep’s bike came off, and we struggled with is for a long while to get it back on. After a few miles of riding we got a call from some riders that fell on the road. They rode over some gravel and fell during a turn. Both riders were ok, just a little shaken. After checking over the riders and the bikes we determined all was right and started riding. A big hill came up and as one of the riders shifted to the “granny gear” her bike made a loud clanking noise and refused to move. We took one look at her derailleur and knew something went very wrong. Her derailleur exploded and was twisted in an awkward position. At that point it was late in the day and everyone else was into the host location, so the van driver decided to pick us all up and take us there.
A great end to the day is that it was Jane’s Birthday so we got to pick up a cake on our way back and celebrate with a good friend! Other riders had bought her a turtle hat and we all joined in to sing her a happy birthday.
Jess Leon
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