Colin Rides a Bike!

Moberly, MO

2008-06-30T16:26:00.002-04:00

Read Brent's blog.

Sorry, I will come back tonight with more updates but there is a queue for the computers.

Bedford, IN

2008-06-23T17:45:00.002-04:00

It's been a hectic bunch of days. After our nine day stretch of riding we came to Louisville excited for our day off. Everyone went out to dinner that night in order to avoid peanut butter and concoctions involving peanut butter.

Kentucky treated us well. Cowan was a great little town filled with the nicest of people -- a few even gave us donations. Our ride from Paris to Louisville started damp, but a quick game of mini-golf after lunch lifted our spirits. The rest of the ride was sun-drenched.

Sunday -- our free day -- we biked to Churchhill Downs where we managed to get in for free. They put us in a nice little box where we watched two races before leaving. Jesse won $2.80 when her horse placed. I lost two bucks but had a lavish time doing it.

Finklea managed to pick up an amazing frat-tastic hat with the Churchhill Downs logo on it. Lucky-son-of-a-gun.

We were supposed to go see a Triple-A game that nice but a freak storm ruined that plan. We probably could have gone later but with a long ride looming the next morning ice cream seemed like the better choice.

Now we are in Bedford where our church for the evening rolled out the red carpet. We gave them two days notice and they pulled through big time.

I would pilfer Finklea's photos again but I can't find him. Instead go to his amazing blog for the play-by-play.

Pace.

And go here to read my most recent journal update. Journals. Providence to San Fran. 22 June 2008.

Wellston, OH

2008-06-18T17:12:00.007-04:00

I apologize for the lack of updates but it has been quite difficult to find good internet sources on the road. And I am usually ridiculously tired.

As you can see by my header we are in Ohio, The Buckeye State. This is the first state on our journey that I haven’t been to; cool, I suppose. We arrived yesterday in Marietta along the Ohio River. Now, 80 miles later, we are in Wellston, a former coal-mining town. Our host took us on a brief tour of the town; apparently the lack of coal production has really hurt this place. Their showers were nice so I am happy.

The hills seem to be subsiding. I know saying that means there will be many hills tomorrow but I couldn’t resist. Now the major problem is wind – it’s worse.

Everyone needs to witness the awesome power of my tan lines. They will change your life.

Now for some pictures (courtesy of Brent):

Our next day off (much needed) is in Louisville. If you have any cool Louisville stories let me know.

Pace.

Stroudsburg, PA

2008-06-09T16:19:00.002-04:00

It is hot!

For the past three days it has been over 97 degrees out -- this makes biking very tiring. Today we got up at 4:30 to try and beat the heat, which worked until about 11 when the temperature spiked again. I did swim in a creek though, which was nice.

I biked up Bear Mountain yesterday and across the bridge. I never thought I would have done that one day. Some of the best views are on the west bank of the Hudson just past West Point -- all should drive those winding roads.

It's just been hot. Really hot. So it goes.

Pictures to come. I promise.

Middletown, CT

2008-06-06T17:34:00.002-04:00

Riding in the rain sucks.

We were caught in a downpour this morning during our ride which left us soggy for the ridiculous hills that followed. But it was a learning experience about what we and our bikes could handle. I am so tired right now.

This trip has been fantastic thus far. I am lucky to be with a fantastic bunch of cyclists and volunteers. There will be pictures up here soon but for now I leave you because I am falling asleep in the Middletown library while I get the stinkeye from the old patrons who cannot understand why I have cornrows.

Oh. I have cornrows.

Plainfield, CT

2008-06-05T22:01:00.002-04:00

A lot has happened since my last post but I am on an Ipod touch which is making writing extremely difficult. I apologize in advance for the brief post.

We started riding today!

After our first ride we came to the church--our home for the night--and had a wonderful picnic with our hosts. This keyboard is killing me. More to come when I find a computer.

Pace.

Mahopac, NY

2008-05-29T09:20:00.002-04:00

Mail time!

For all of those people out there wishing to send me love here are the addresses to which you should address your envelopes:

June 12 -- 5901 Jonestown RD, Harrisburg, PA 17108-9998
June 19 -- 610 Gay ST, Portsmouth, OH 45662-9998
June 26 -- 300 S Main ST, Taylorville, IL 62568-9998
July 03 -- 645 Vermont ST, Lawrence, KS 66044-9998
July 10 -- 226 S Interocean AVE, Holyoke, CO 80734-1535
July 17 -- 200 N Wisconsin ST, Gunnison, CO 81230-2626
July 24 -- 75 W Main ST, Torrey, UT 84775-8001
July 31 -- 120 N Maine ST, Fallon, NV 89406-9995
August 07 -- 2020 5th ST, Davis, CA 95616-9998

Use this format for the address lines:

Bike & Build
Attn: CYCLIST NAME
USPS General Delivery
STREET ADDRESS (if noted)
CITY, ST ZIP

Be sure to include my name and the phrase 'Hold for pick-up on DATE.'

My orientation packet just came; this trip is for real.

Mahopac, NY

2008-05-27T18:58:00.002-04:00

Colin versus The Hills and The Hills win!

Yesterday I tried to conquer every major hill in Mahopac and a few turned out to be mountains instead. For the first time I had to dismount because my legs (or lungs) would not continue. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing -- considering I tried to top every hill in a row -- but I still would have liked to conquer Mexico Lane. That road is a beast.

Today was my first ride in the rain. It was humid, though, which just made me sweat more under my rain cover. I am pretty sure I lost 5 pounds.

Pictures should be coming soon -- if I steal my parents digital camera because there is no way I am taking my SLR on this journey.

Hunt out.

Mahopac, NY

2008-05-24T16:42:00.003-04:00

I took my first fall today!

It was one of those slow embarrassing falls when you look like a fool in front of all the people waiting at an intersection. For those of you skiers out there it's like when you take a spill on a slope but you can't get up because your ski starts to go down the hill each time you try and stand. I looked like a turtle that got rolled on its back. Despite the wimpy tumble I still managed to cut up my knee something awful.

But other than that I had a good ride today. I visited my old place of employment which was a trip down memory lane (though the store changed a lot since I had last been there).

Any Shia fans out there? Check this out.

Mahopac, NY

2008-05-23T17:47:00.002-04:00

I swallowed my first bug today!

It was a painful ordeal once I realized why I couldn't breath. Took a nice ride around the lake which was amazing considering the weather was perfect. My legs and bum are starting to kill me though--I need to look into buying a new saddle or strapping a pillow to my seat.

Only a week left before this trip actually begins. I am pumped.

New York, NY

2008-05-05T13:37:00.000-04:00

My bike came!

I am looking for good American literature that I can take with me on this trip. In particular, I want to read road novels. Also, novels about particular areas in America that are part of my journey seem exciting. But I am open to anything that involves the American Dream.

I think poetry would be a nice addition. Does anyone have suggestions for good American poetry?

And I have already read On the Road and The Road and I do not feel the desire to read them again.

My American history final is tomorrow along with my crit. panel; within 24 hours I will be done with school.

New York, NY

2008-04-28T00:30:00.002-04:00

I got a little sick this weekend which made training impossible. Colds are no fun -- especially when it is beautiful out and I have to be stuck indoors.

The money situation is good. I am roughly three quarters through all of my required fund raising. I still need to buy supplies. I plan on posting a list here soon in case anyone has some of the items lying around (clipless pedals anyone?).

I feel myself getting stronger and my endurance has skyrocketed, but hills are still a challenge. It's difficult to keep my pace steady when I climb a monster hill.

Back to the gym tomorrow.

New York, NY

2008-04-17T17:28:00.000-04:00

I am halfway through my fund raising with a bike on the way: This trip just became very real.

Six weeks seems like an eternity but when I am training I pray that I don't leave for another year. Though my excitement trumps any anxiety I might feel.

I'll keep everyone updated on the goings on in my life as I travel the roads of America.