Utah already?!

I am sitting in the Vernal Public Library, still unshowered and without seeing the host location after 102 miles of riding. The last 6 days (I think it's been that long) have been very eventful. I don't have my journal with me but hopefully I can remember everything!

From Fort Collins we rode to Estes Park. The ride was beautiful and short (41 miles), and a nice introduction to the Rockies. The climb was 20 miles of flat and 20 miles of climbing, but it was so beautiful that Erin and I stopped to take pictures at least 5 times, and that made it easier. In Estes Park I revisited places and memories from when my family vacationed there about 5 years ago.

We were prepared for the worst the next day. Seasoned cyclists in our group gave us a nearly ridiculous amount of advice for climbing Trail Ridge Road, but what they failed to mention is how amazing the ride to the top is.

Estes Park to Granby is 63 miles. However, it includes about 22-24 miles of climbing up to elevation of 12,183 feet (approximately 2 miles). I climbed with Katie and Erin the entire way up, and I must admit I am very proud of us for our performance. We stopped every few miles for power food and water, and to take pictures of the gorgeous scenery around us and below us. It was very satisfying to look down and see the road we had just climbed hundreds of feet below. An incredible/terrifying thing about climbing the Rockies is how the switchbacks work. You will be hugging the mountain, turn a corner, and all of a sudden be on the edge of a cliff looking down. On the way up we saw a herd of elk, but even more to my excitement reindeer! They were right next to us as we reached a particularly steep stretch of road. We were on the right, they were on the left, and we didn't exactly know what to do... so we kept climbing. I reached the top with a smile on my face. Trail Ridge Road holds the title of "the highest continuously paved road in North America" and I am very proud to have climbed it. The view from the top was fantastic, I didn't want to go down the other side! The followiung 40 miles of the ride to Grandby were completed with no problem.

The next day included climbs over two passes to Steamboat Springs. We crossed the Continental Divide for the second time. It was a nice trip. We stayed and built in Steamboat.

Today was a 103 mile ride to Vernal, Utah. We stopped at Dinosaur National Monument, which Erin was super excited about. We narrowly missed a rainstorm (actually it didn't really reach us). Last night our stay in Maybell was very relaxing, because there was only about 80-100 people in the town. That means that there wasn't much for us to do but read and write in our journals.

I have crossed the Rocky Mountains and Colorado! By far it was one of the best stretches of the trip, and Trail Ridge Road was my biggest accomplishment.

Less than three weeks until I come home!
Love,
Rachel

Colorado already?

Northeastern Colorado looks suspiciously like Nebraska and what I thought Kansas would look like. It also sort of looks like New Mexico and some parts of Texas. I was expecting it to be immediately hilly and green, but instead riding from Nebraska to Colorado was one of the flattest stretches I've ridden this whole trip.

A few days ago we had another hundred mile day, from McCook, Nebraska to Holyoke, Colorado. It was actually awesome. We woke up to cloudy skies and were worried about rain, but instead the clouds just covered the sun the whole day and kept the temperature well below 90. We awoke at 4:00am and were on the road by 6:00am, and we finished the ride by 2:00. It was exciting to ride so far and still have energy when it was over. That's all I remember now, but I remembered that I wanted to write about it.

Yesterday was a 76 mile ride from Holyoke (we had a day off there) to Stoneham. If you haven't heard of Stoneham, it's because there are only 37 people who live there. To get to the town, you go over a hill, when you get over the hill, you see about 6 houses, a church, a community building (our home for the night), and a few other buildings. That is Stoneham. We had no showers, which I found more exciting than anything else. We got in very early, by noon, and I got to read and take a nap before anything needed to be done. After hanging out for a while, a group of us went to the rodeo down the road in another small town. The highlights of the rodeo included a 25 cent sno cone, lots of photo opportunities, and a few members of my group trying out a new sport. This new sport that I can't remember the name of is something like this: a tarp is attached to a horse, kind of like a tube to a motorboat. The participant stands on the tarp and holds a rope, much like waterskiing. The horse trots, and the participant holds on tight. I'm sure the locals got a kick out of watching our colorful group's attempts. When we got back to our host location in Stoneham, we could see rain and some lightning.

The scenery was unbelievable. It wasn't mountains or forest or anything you would expect, but the fields and sky are expansive and mostly indescribable. Sometimes we don't pass a town or any clear sign of civilization for 25 miles. Mostly I don't know what to say about it just yet, except it honestly blows my mind. It's both beautiful and startling, but in a way I've never quite experienced.

Today was an 80 mile day into Fort Collins from Stoneham. It was a very enjoyable ride, we are still slowly gaining elevation. However, around 8:50 am my friend Erin and I spotted the Rocky Mountains in the distance! It was intimating but also one of the most exciting things that has happened on the trip. It made us both giddy, I suppose, for the rest of the ride we couldn't stop mentioning them. Tomorrow's ride is only 46 miles... the first 20 miles are flat, but then we climb for 26 miles. Everyone keeps complaining about it and psyching themselves out, but it sounds pretty exciting to me. Something new, something incredible. I'll let you know how I feel in a couple days about it.

In Colorado and happy to be here,
Rachel

Nebraska

The past two days have been pretty normal, yesterday being 65 miles (Concordia to Lebanon) and today being 68 miles (Lebanon to Alma, NE). The last 15 miles of each day has been rough for me, because the headwinds come and I strongly dislike wind. We have also been waking up at 4:30 because of the heat but it's not so bad. We get in around 12 when we have 60ish days, which is both awesome and strange. Then you are hungry for lunch because you ate lunch at 9:30 or 10:00 so you have to eat lunch and then also dinner. And then you feel compelled to go to bed at 9:00 pm.

Lebanon is the geographic center of the United States. That was exciting. We took pictures by it this morning. Our showers today were at the local pool (conveniently located right across from the library) and we went swimming before showering. I had a good time but now my eyes are foggy because of the chlorine.

On the 15th we rode from Wamego, KS to Concordia, KS and it was a really good day. Instead of talking about today and yesterday I am going to talk about that day.

It was 97 miles and we woke up at 4:00am for the first time. When I went outside for the first time the stars were still out. The roads weren't busy at all the whole day and there were many photo opportunities my friend Erin and I took advantage of. Our first lunch was at 9:30am at mile 40, which to be honest completely baffled us. It got a little hilly after the first lunch but it was no big deal. At the second lunch at mile 70 I got a slurpee and it was delicious. We passed by Tuttle Lake and it was beautiful. I didn't know Kansas could be so pretty, and have decided that it is my favorite state so far. Contrary to popular belief and to what everyone told me, Kansas is not flat. Maybe in a car, maybe if you look from a plane, but on a bike, it is not flat. During the ride we played "Would you rather" and also stopped by a sprinkler over a field of corn.

We stayed at an armory and I had two bowls of cereal for dinner. That is exciting to me.

It's been fun,
Rachel

Build days in Lawrence

Lawrence is a cool city and I enjoyed having my family here. I can't say how happy I am that they came and I am very appreciative. Tomorrow they will see me off, then head home to Austin.

I have mixed feelings about building. I feel somewhat useless at times, partly because our group is very big and partly because I have no skills. Sometimes Habitat sites are slightly disorganized, and this doesn't make me feel any more useful. However, it was cool to see the walls go up on this particular house in Lawrence, even if all I did was hammer some nails and paint it yellow.

It was difficult splitting my time between Bike & Build and my family. Fortunately my chore group exempted me from our tasks (laundry; thanks a bunch guys) and on the third build day (today) my group leaders allowed me to leave the site at 1:00 (thanks again).

Here are some pictures Perry took at the build site, so you guys can see what went down:

(Perry - as I'm uploading these to your blog I hear your dad snoring in the other room. Will testify if necessary... see you in about 5 hours)

Arrival in Lawrence, Kansas

We arrived in Lawrence, Kansas today after an 85 mile ride. The morning was nice, although the highway was busy the shoulder was wide enough for three across and I enjoyed the conversation that occurred during that time. Lunch was in Kansas City, it's weird, the entire city smells like coffee.

The route after lunch was stressful, with a busy road and a small shoulder. Lots of people had flats today. I was glad to arrive in Lawrence. I met up with Erin about 11 miles out of the city and that was a treat. Dinner was provided by a P2SF leader from last year's family. It was delicious and I am now stuffed.

Mostly all I can think about is how my family+Perry are coming tomorrow! I can't wait. Someone brought up the idea of how I will feel after they leave, but I'm trying not to think about that. I think I will be okay though. Lawrence is a nice city and I am excited to spend three days here. Apparently we are blitz building here, all that's up on the house we are working on is the frame. It sounds intense and exciting.

Yesterday was a 95 mile day. It went smoothly, I can't remember much of it at the moment and don't have my journal near. I do remember that the pancakes the host location made us in the morning were delicious.

Until next time,
Rachel

Tom Sawyer Days and Huckleberry Finn Ice Cream

Three days until my family comes to visit!

Yesterday we were in Hannibal, Missouri, which is just along the state line. If you didn't know, it is the home of Mark Twain. It just so happened that the night we were there the Tom Sawyer Days festival was going on. This included mud volleyball, the National Fence Painting Competition, and fair rides. For me, it included Huckleberry Finn flavored ice cream and jumping into the Mississippi River. The swim was so satisfying, I was real happy after that.

I was always more of a Huckleberry Finn fan than Tom Sawyer. The wind has been brutal but it's all good. I am counting down the days until Kansas and family. I hope all is well at home, Rachel

Alex, Rachel and Jeff into the Mississippi!

100 mile day!

Today began with a twinge of homesickness, soon overcome by 20 miles of riding with the last bit including rain and hot chocolate. Then it was another 20 miles until the first lunch break. My lunch included two cold eggos waffles with peanut butter and chocolate chips in sandwhich form. It was awesome. I also had lots of trail mix (my favorite). Then it was off to the next 30 miles, which was difficult because of headwind the whole way. At mile 70 was our second lunch break. I had more trail mix, a power bar, and the most delicious brownie ever. Then it was off for the next 15 miles, straight into a storm. After seeing lightning and realizing it was only a mile away, a few of us stopped in a kind person's garage. They let us stay there until the storm passed. Then we rode the next 14 miles into Taylorsville, IL, without wind or rain. We are staying at a YMCA and it is pretty nice. And that concludes my Bike & Build July 4th.

Yesterday was possibly the best Bike & Build day ever. It was a 70 mile day. I rode with my friend Erin in the morning. We have a great time. We crossed the state line (IN to IL) and I am finally in my own time zone again. I can't remember all else what happened, but it was good. A few days ago I learned to ride with no hands and am having fun with that. We camped last night, which is also fun. The day was nice and relaxed, and I got to go swimming, which is something I am missing real bad.

the end!

Indiana!

First off I would like to tell Laurie, that actually yes, one night I closed my eyes to go to sleep and I could feel myself rocking away pedaling on my bicycle. It was like when you go to Schlitterbahn and you feel yourself in the wavepool when you go to sleep that night. So you are almost right! And most everyone has dreams involving Bike & Build, including myself, although mine aren't near interesting enough to write about on here.

Today we reached Indiana well before mile 20. It was an 83 mile day, but it wasn't bad at all. We were in Cincinnati last night and got to stay in real houses and sleep in real beds! I stayed with my friend Carrie and her bed had a really nice soft white comforter. Her parents were really nice and of course provided everything and more for us. I also got to see my Uncle Shawn and Laura! They recently moved to Kentucky and drove two hours to take me to dinner. It was so nice to see family and they were full of encouraging words and advice. They also took me by a store to get a few things, but mostly it was really just great to see them. It was fun to tell them about my adventures and show them my pictures.

Yesterday was a short day, 65 miles. The morning was lovely, we basically had the road to ourselves for the first 25 miles. We road side by side, talked, and took goofy pictures. It was definitely a highlight of the trip so far. The afternoon was messy, though. A girl's back tire was hit by a car and she rolled and hurt her lower back. She was taken to the hospital and is still experiencing lower back pain. It was a hit and run. We also all got lost around the last 8 miles of the trip due to a left turn that wasn't on our cue sheet. However, I was thankful that today was less eventful.

Today's ride went really fast, I rode with my friend Erin in the morning and then Erin and Alex in the afternoon. It was an uneventful day, but I think that was nice for a change. We stayed on the same road for 70 miles and it was basically flat. I mostly just enjoyed riding with minimal stoppage. Alex did get a flat and we stopped at a yard sale, but other than that we just rode and rode and rode.

It's July! I'm excited about the 4th, we got some fireworks today and have the 5th off, hopefully it'll be awesome. And then the 10th I see my family!

later,
Rachel