Last two days of riding. Since I will not have access to a computer after tonight I thought I would do the final post all in one. Today’s ride was harder than expected and there were many uphill climbs and winding downhills, totaling 4,000 uphill and 3,500 downhill. We finally got out got out of the valley and had pleasant 70 degree weather today. We passed through part of Napa Valley on our ride and saw miles of vineyards. There was an ultimate rule number 1 uphill climb at the final stretch on Cherry road and every group decided to challenge themselves to the 18% grade uphill instead of the reroute…Although not everyone was able to make up all the way up (me).
This evening we took our final shuttle to showers at a local pool as a team and managed to fit 26 of us in Uncle Rico (the van).
Tomorrow is our last day of I4k and I expect it to be very emotional but exciting. We have built up the image of us crossing the Golden Gate bridge a lot and we have planned who we will be riding with on the last day for a while. It feels very surreal that we are finally accomplishing our ultimate goal and we will officially be able to call ourselves cross country cyclists.
This summer has been a whirlwind to say the least! It has been the most challenging yet rewarding period in my whole 22 years of life. Although these days have been extremely tough, it has taught me how to push myself, while at the same time knowing my limits and allowing myself to take a break when I need one. It has forced me to be patient while also giving me a lesson in group dynamics and learning how to put others before myself. It’s hard to put in words exactly how impactful this summer has been for me and I don’t think I will fully grasp its gravity until I am actually done with this trip but overall I can say that it was more fun than hardship and my 26 teammates are the reason for that, I encountered more good kind generous people than mean spirited drivers flipping us off, and this country is damn beautiful and we didn’t even scratch the surface.
To recap the summer, I thought I would a give a highlight reel in the form of some of our favorite inside jokes. Enjoy
Mackenzie showing up to Champaign instead of Union Station
Leaving Neeca at the DeBlasio campaign
“Ehhhhh” (with tongue out) -Julissa
“You’re sagging” – Dan
“Is the van unlocked” “Where are the van keys”
Every city is the Big Apple
TBV- Total Bone Volume
Is a hot dog a sandwich?
David being extra
10. Soy Boys
11. Adding ‘boy’ to the end of as many words as possible
12. Calling out cues while not riding
13. Debating which utensil is the best for the PBJ
14. Someone is always farting
15. Roasting people always (mostly Arturo)
16. “Mmmm”, “Ahhhmazing”, “Disasterrrr” – Kevin
17. “It’s happening”!
18. “Ah, my nickname in high school”
19. “Pretty cool” – Tyler
20. “Right?” – Zach
21. Maryland is now Delaware 2
22. Nodus not backing down from any challenge
23. Somehow making everything a challenge
24. Lil T storm
25. Operation T storm
26. Roasting the boys
27. Analisa’s rendition of 6 foot 7 foot
28. Communal showers
29. Dan being vegan
30. David saying “uhhhh” before anything
31. “Dirtiest thing you would do for a Gatorade”
32. “I gotta question for ya”- Dan and Kevin
33. Boom Boom eating absolutely anything
34. Mason having terrible taste in music
35. Mason’s rollout song
36. “Borked”
37. Team rankings, the van driver is the supreme leader and the mechanic is the lowliest
38. Hot Takes
39. Analisa’s shirt is always unzipped
40. The snoring tent
41. The cuddle puddle
42. The shaggy dog story
43. “Uhhh mechanic, my bikes making a weird noise” *walk away
44. Slow boy
45. “I’m the fastest girl on the team” –Alia
46. Dylan being the most attractive boy on the team
47. Kevin’s bleached eyebrows
48. “Pretty straightforward today”
49. Tyler is being grumpy
50. “Take your time” –Nick Su
51. Lil T is Pierre Tont
52. “What a great day” – Mack
53. Neeca dropping the weapon
54. Me winning the hunger games
55. Chef Austin
56. Quitting the team
57. Spongebob references
58. Tina Su thinking farting is hilarious
59. Pixar movie rankings splitting the team
60. Hating Rapid City
61. Quarter mile condurum
62. “Tunac Tunac”
63. “Ride faster” – Tyler
64. “My dad has a gun”
65. David never being at the circle on time
Thanks for being awesome 2017. Even though we were last place when it came to timelieness, you’re all number 1 in my heart.
Thanks for keeping up with us all summer.
Stay golden San Francisco.
MB