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.
Friday, July 18, 2008
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
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mountains = Pain + Amazing Views
The past few days have been grueling when it comes to biking. We have gone through three sets of mountain ranges with high mileage each day. Amish and Mennonite country was super exciting (horse drawn plows and farm equipment!). And even though the climbs are hard, the views are amazing.
I will try to take more photos on the road and actually post them on facebook and picasa
Unfortunately I got sick recently and had to take a day off after completing the century day(100 miles of riding in one day in mountains). I pumped myself full of day quill to get through the century and pretty much collapsed that night. The next day I felt so horrible that I rode in the van and the leaders yelled at me to go to sleep as soon as I got to the host location. 10 hours of sleep later I felt much better and biked the next day.
Now we are in Pittsburgh and have a day off! It is a much needed rest for everyone, and we're all excited to check out the city and get out of our chamois and spandex(if only for one day)!
I will try to take more photos on the road and actually post them on facebook and picasa
Unfortunately I got sick recently and had to take a day off after completing the century day(100 miles of riding in one day in mountains). I pumped myself full of day quill to get through the century and pretty much collapsed that night. The next day I felt so horrible that I rode in the van and the leaders yelled at me to go to sleep as soon as I got to the host location. 10 hours of sleep later I felt much better and biked the next day.
Now we are in Pittsburgh and have a day off! It is a much needed rest for everyone, and we're all excited to check out the city and get out of our chamois and spandex(if only for one day)!
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