I was super worried about my knee before today's ride. I tied a bandanna around my knee to stop my IT band from moving as much. Riding out of Philly, I knew it was going to be a scorcher. It was. At one point it reached a heat index of 98. This is not fun biking weather folks.I started with a slower group than usual to take it easy on my knee. We got on the PA bike trail and I found that the bandanna I had put on was nothing but a nuisance. I took it off and wrapped it around my head. This was the best thing I could have ever done. The bandanna took all of the sweat away from my face.I was beside myself. I didn't know how fast I wanted to go today. All signs pointed to me taking it easy so that I wouldn't aggravate my knee. Tough. After a snack stop at the forty mile mark and a cheeseburger hot dog, I hopped up in front. We flew. I have never ridden this hard before. My knee didn't hurt and I felt great on the hills. My confidence was growing. I think the group I biked with was the perfect group for each other. Our riding styles and goals were all similar. After a very quick 17 miles to Churchtown, PA, we filled up our water at an amish bakery nearby. This bakery was something else. Everything was made from scratch and obviously homemade and totally original. I am still convinced that the water we filled up with was the best tasting water ever. Some of the guys bought some ridiculous deserts and we ate outside waiting for the other groups to arrive. As we were sitting and laughing, the cute old owner offered us deserts that were intended for her grandson! A whole shopping bag full! Instead of saving the yummies for the rest of the team and lunchtime, our group managed to take care of almost all of the deserts right then ad there. Nutrition!We finally saw the rest of the team ride by and we quickly hid our yummy desert wrappers. As we caught up to the team to meet for lunch, we found the can stuck in a ditch. Whoopedee. A nice Pennsylvania farmer grabbed his pull chain and pulled our van out. Upon leaving, Sean realized he forgot Lauren, who had no bike becuase she was riding in the van. I managed to flag down the first random car to hitch her a ride. To my surprise it was the husband of the bakery owner! Score.The first group quickly rode past the rest of the group eating lunch (who had no idea our stomachs were full of cookies, rice crispie treats and pumpkin pie)and hopped on the trail with an eccentric sugar high. 20 more miles.These miles were absolutely beautiful! Amish country! Horse bugeys, baby black sheep and very friendly horses! The last twenty were finished in no time. We concluded our route in the town of Lancaster, PA in possibly one of the nicest places we will stay in for the rest of the trip.Shower! Talk about irony.... The man who drove Lauren to the lunch stop was so happy with getting to know us at the bakery and at his farm that he served the rest of the team homemade strawbarry ice cream. What a day.
Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Ohio Hoo-Ray
Pennsylvania, the cruel mistress that she is, holds a special place in my heart. There are signs posted here and there along the roadways entreating Pennsylvanians (and visitors, no doubt) to “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful!”. And it works, apparently. It's a beautiful place and it seems like the locals are aware of it. I can't think of any other reason that they'd be so excited to show off their state via a well demarcated and generally safe feeling bicycle path that literally leads from one end of the state to the other. I don't mean that figuratively. It became so welcoming a site that when we rode by a “Bicycle PA” sign today as it wound off into the beautiful wilderness, crossing our path for a fleeting moment, a single tear fell from mine eye. Just playing. I was surprised at how nostalgic I felt when I saw the familiar green sign, though. I'm not one to hedge my bets on the results of a Google image search, but give it a shot yourself. Try putting “Bicycle PA” in the image search, and then compare the results with those for “Bicycle WV”. The first hit for WV is a picture of a tricycle, if that's any indicator of what our ride today was like.It's striking how much the attitude of the municipalities can affect the behavior of the citizens. You'd think that those “Share the Road” signs in PA featuring a poorly rendered bicyclist with a car hot on his heels (again, feel free to plug the words in quotations into a Google image search, it works surprisingly well to illustrate what I'm referencing) were there for show, but let me tell you something. We rode through the entire width of Pennsylvania and through a tiny sliver of West Virginia. The entire time we were in Pennsylvania, from treacherous mountain passes to rolling hills with million dollar houses dotting the landscape, I'm not sure if we were honked at once. We were ignored (which is NOT a good thing when on a bicycle a few inches from the flow of traffic), honked at and shouted at from car windows multiple times in West Virginia, a state that we spent maybe 10 miles in. I'm not sure what the difference is between these two states – maybe it stems from an effort to change the perception of what a cyclist is by the higher-ups like I mentioned before – but it was palpable. We all crossed the bridge into Ohio with a bad taste in our mouths and, for myself at least, a heightened sense of appreciation for the hospitality of Pennsylvanians who did nothing more than give us the respect that they would expect if out for a nice afternoon of bicycle riding. Which is really what we're up to, on 4500 miles of different roads spanning the nation for 72 afternoons straight. Is a little respect so much to ask for?
Everett, Mt. Pleasant, Pittsburgh 05/29-06/01
Haven't blogged in a while, internet has been hard to come by. Soo here's the update.The 84 mile ride into Everett was quite the challange but I'm proud to say I finished. The last 15 miles or so Conor, Disha and I were caught in quite the rain storm, only to get lost and have no idea where in PA we were. Coincidentally, the locals didn't seem to have any idea where we were either, all giving different directions... After 12 hours of riding, Conor, our fearless leader, hailed down an old man in a pick-up truck and he rode us into town where we were greeted with a nice hot meal.The next day didn't start well, I rode about 2 miles before realizing the previous day was an overkill on the knee. Unfortunately, I took on van duty into Mt. Pleasant as well as into Pittsburgh. I'm not all that thrilled about missing out on these rides but my teammates continue to remind me that the cause we are out here for is what's most important.Today was a rest day in Pittsburgh. A few teammates cooked up quite the flavorful breakfast. Later in the day, Steve, Max and I took a trip to the hospital. I wanted to get back in the saddle to see how it felt, so we rode our bikes. Typically, Steve lost the key to my bike lock... and then I lost his wallet... causing us to miss the bus to the Cubs game... and then the Cubs lost to the Pirates...In other news: Steve and I have taken on a new motto: "Making people feel uncomfortable, New York to San Francisco"
Ready to Roll?
First week conquered? Check!Our first week on the road is complete, and as far as I'm concerned the hardest part of the trip is now behind us. Of course, the first week wasn't without its ups and downs (and we're not talking about the mountains), but everybody is still hanging in there and we're packing up getting ready to get back on the road after a rest day today.90 miles through the foothills await us tomorrow!
Bicycle: A semi-regular eNewsletter
To my dear Aunt Mary:
Here we are, the Illini 4000. When I first decided to ride across America, it was little more than a fun tidbit to share with people. “What are your plans for the summer?” “Oh me? I'm riding across the country... on my bike.” It was cool, and people thought I was cool for saying it. Who really has a chance to say that? The doing it part is entirely different. Now, all of those people who I told with a calm smugness that I'd be pedaling my way from one ocean to the next are at home, sipping beers and playing video games in air conditioned living rooms. The hardest part of their day is getting out of bed before noon; by then, we've climbed 30 miles of mountains and we've got another 50 ahead of us and the promise of a hotter sun with every minute that passes. It's hard, and we all know what that really means now.
I came into this trip thinking that it would be a great way to see America - to really get to know what's out there. I wasn't really correct in that regard. I'm gaining a basic understanding of what the topography of America is like and where certain cities are in relation to others, but this isn't a sightseeing opportunity. Every stop we make mid-ride is another roll of the dice. When you're uncertain whether you'll be able to take another stride with momentum on your side, starting from a dead stop is really tempting fate. The exhaustion we've accrued isn't wiped out in the time between the end of one ride and the start of another. Muscles still complain just as much as they did the day before and that lingering sense of uncertainty still resides in the back of your mind, asking whether you're sure you need to climb this hill because you most certainly do not want to. That keeps you in the saddle. It's one foot down, and then the other, and after so long your head drops just to make sure that your feet keep doing what they need to be doing to get you closer to your next sleeping bag. As it turns out, exhaustion trumps curiosity in the reptilian core of our brains that keeps us pedaling day after day.
That's not to say that I haven't been taking in my surroundings. While New Jersey was, as far as I could tell, a suburb of New York, Pennsylvania is a majestic expanse of rolling hills, mountains, fields and forests. The farmland surrounding Lancaster was breathtaking and the Amish people working on horse-driven plows and threshers were picturesque. Our very first mountain climb was appropriately shrouded in fog, giving the entire experience a sort of eerie stillness punctuated only by the incredibly fast moving traffic that has been a constant so far, no matter how far off the beaten path we go. We had really ought to do something about all of these cars in America. There's nothing like gasoline smell and perpetual fear to ruin a perfectly beautiful scene.
So that's what my trip has been so far. It's been extremely challenging both mentally and physically, but I've proven to myself that I can do it. We had a team meeting last night in which a lot of opinions and emotions were shared, and I think I'll try my hand at riding with some other groups from here on out. It's been fun and extremely rewarding personally to push myself and redefine my own limits and now I think I'd like to spend some time exploring my role as a teammate and (if I'm lucky) maybe even an honorary member of the Lady Pack.
ohio?! i want to go to there.
Alright. Since my last post I have most definitely learned what a "serious climb" is. We all are very, very familiar with serious climbs. We had two 80+ mile back to back days in the mountains - Saturday and Sunday. Both days were pretty rough for everyone due to not only the climbs but also the heat. But: we made it across some mountains! I'm so proud of us. my group rode really well together and took turns pushing each other up, and as always we made each other laugh. perhaps a little too much, because all my stomach muscles go towards laughing and pedaling falls by the wayside. today we only did 47 miles (my group got pretty lost and we ended up doing 7 extra miles...) and tomorrow we have a rest day here in Pittsburgh. I have to admit. . . I've 'had a pretty rough time on the mountains. However, we all made it through and hopefully the midwest will seem like a breeze after 6 days in PA. (Edit: there might be mountains on wednesday out of pittsburgh in which case i will be slowly propelling myself up them, cursing myself for writing this joyful blog while mountains were still ahead. i guess i'll find out!)The new stem I got in Gettysburg is amazing! I'm no longer having back pain which makes riding 100000x more enjoyable. My knee is still acting up - I think the tendon of my knee is rubbing against something called the lateral femoral epicondyle & the repeated cycling motion is causing the area to swell up at night. It hurts to cycle uphill but some other people with knee problems and I have been yanking up with our feet, since our cycling shoes are clipped to our pedals -- that hurts less than putting pressure down with the injured knee. I'm going to ice it and hope for the best. Another rider is injured and has been unable to ride for some time - we're all keeping our fingers crossed that she's able to make a recovery and be able to ride with us again soon.the church we're staying at is awesome - there's a giant shower and a nice spacious, carpeted room for all of us to sleep in. there's a great kitchen and tonight we got some generous food donations from panera bread - hurrah!i think my family is coming to see me in indy and i am very excited to see them then, miss you guys!-bridgetps. please excuse my spelling and grammar, i'm blogging on a small netbook and i'm not quite used to the small keyboard!
Check Point: Rest Day 1!
Friends and family,Well, we made it to Pittsburgh all accounted for. Currently residing at The Church of Ascension just next to the University of Pittsburgh campus. Quite a pretty place. Today's 47 mile, mostly hill-less ride proved a terrific treat for all the riders, even the ones caught in a brief downpour! A couple of riders had the misfortune of traveling to a local laundromat to clean our clothes sufficiently for the first time since we left on Saturday, but alas, the laundromat was closed due to Memorial Day. Tonight's schedule consists of dinner in mere minutes, a team meeting, and then a night of enjoyment!Tomorrow's plans for a rest day involves a day of personal interests and exploration of the city, wrapping up with a trip to the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs game, courtesy of Mr. And Mrs. Kelleher (thank you!!!).Go Blackhawks!The Illini 4000
First Week: Done
Wow. We just arrived in Pittsburgh, PA after riding 7 days and 513 miles through the Appalachians. I know that it's only 3:15 in the afternoon, but I'm considering taking a nap soon.The past few days have been difficult, to say the least. We had a few 80-mile days through lots of hills and a couple of mountains in hot weather. Mile-long uphills followed by mile-long downhills are certainly challenging, and those are intermixed with many other hills of varying sizes and lengths. I love the feeling of racing down a mountain, clicking my shifters up until I find I have no more gears to go any faster. On the other hand, though, those occasions are sometimes met with climbing up the hills and downshifting and looking for an even smaller gear that my bike does not provide. Between those extremes, there's a lot of great challenges climbing and exhilarating slopes. On so many occasions, we've come through a clearing to a beautiful Pennsylvanian landscape opening up before us. On many others as well, I've been too tired to fully appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us. Amish country was particularly beautiful, with the classic farms situated on rolling hills. I wished I'd had all day to hang around there with my camera. Instead, we were passing through on the fly and my camera was packed in the van somewhere where I was not.After I finish riding for the day, I don't really seem to have much energy left. My legs are done straining, so they're only a little stiff at the worst, but I get so sleepy so very early. I usually try to sleep as much as I can in the afternoons. Like yesterday, when Steve got his second flat with less than 20 remaining, I managed to fall asleep sitting up, propped against a post office while Steve was changing his tube and pumping up his tires. Aiming for bed before 9:30 is what allows me to function when we wake up at 6 each morning.So now I eagerly await sleeping in tomorrow and spending a day off of the saddle. This wooden bench I'm sitting on is pushing it a little.
Day Six: The Challenger
After yesterday's success with the mountains, the team started with high spirits, ready to take on the world--or at the very least a second day of the Appalachians. Little did the team know that Day Six would rear its head as the most challenging day thus far. Steve and Jordan both blew two flats each, Diana blew a flat, DIsha blew a flat, and I think you get the picture with flats. Lauren's knee started acting up, as did Jaime's back, and other members needed van shuttling for health reasons (no need to fret, mothers--except maybe Eamon's--just kidding!). After miles and miles of hills, the team started to approach the end. One, Szymon, took a hard fall on a steep decline due to gravel, but he's okay! Despite the roughest day yet, the stayover welcomed the team with cookies, chips, drinks, and fruit. Later, the team ate a terrific dinner of lasagna, spaghetti, ham, and salad.I (Eamon) spoke with the pastor when we arrived, and explained to him that even though we are six days into our trip, the generosity of the individuals we've met on this trip continues to surprise me and inspire me. I'm sure they will continue to do so.Tomorrow we're off to Pittsburgh with a rest day after that. Word on the street is that Jaime's parents are donating tickets to the Cubs/Pirates game on Tuesday. We miss you all dearly and are doing quite well.Later!The Illini 4000
Mountains, not mole hills
Today was our hardest day yet as we rode from Gettysburg to Everett, PA. The inclines we had weren't just hills, they were mountains.Everyone is alive. Check.We ride for Mt. Pleasant in the morning. For a cyclist, it's quite strange for a town to be called both Mount and Pleasant... Can't wait for a harder day tomorrow!
Gettysburg, PA
first post!today was day 4 of the ride . . . we had some hills, and "serious climbs" are supposed to begin tomorrow. i'm not quite sure what that entails, but i think we are ready. well, we have to be ready i guess. everyone has improved so much in the last 4 days alone, and we will push through these last 2 days until our rest day on Pittsburgh! i've been riding with a lovely group of ladies - the lady pack, if you will. we've been working at pushing each other and keeping the momentum up - what would i do without my lady pack!?!i've been having some trouble with my knee - an IT band injury i had in high school is acting up again. Jeff's parents brought his beautiful, new bike today (jeff can ride again! -- he had a wipe out on a carbon fiber frame on day 2 he's putting it together right now and it's beautiful!) His mom was kind enough to take me and some other riders to walmart, and now i have icy hot and a knee brace that is supposed to put tension on my tendon to alleviate the irritation.we also found a great bike shop in gettysburg - only two blocks from the church we're staying at! what luck! i have also been having lots of back pain and this bike shop was able to put a new stem on my bike. i'm really keeping my fingers crossed that these adjustments work - 90 miles tomorrow! with some "serious climbs" :gulp: . . .wish us luck!
Purple Mountains, Majesty.
Today was a terrific day! Cool temperatures, overcast skies, energy shots, getting run off the road by houses, Nate's chain braking. Oh, and sister, brother-in-law, nephews, and niece! Boom! Yes. Today was quite great. Upon arriving in Gettysburg, Shea and myself went searching for food donations and found great success! I think we might drop the trip and become salespeople.I also got my handlebar tape replaced (ripped on the fall). Now you'll see my bike from miles away with this bright orange tape. It looks cool, though. Trust me. Here's where my day gets truly terrific. The aforementioned party (that will mentioned here: my sister, brother-in-law, two nephews, and my niece) traveled 40 minutes from Frederick, MD to Gettysburg. We went out to eat and they even bought the team some fruit! Family rules so hard. After we came back to the stayover, I brought my nephews (4, 2) and niece (6 mos) inside and they became instant celebrities (Lauren became especially excited upon seeing my niece, Norah).A more in-depth update will be coming very soon, but after yoga lead by Mary and meditation lead by Kevin, I'm exhausted.Tomorrow, we enter the mountains. It will be rough, it will be fun, and after the next 3 days, I will be more in shape than I've ever been in my whole life.Also, this team is terrific. I'ts 10:36 right now and some are sleeping but you can hear so many different conversations, so much laughter, so much bond. I feel truly fortunate to be a part of this team, because every single person has something to contribute, and I determine to learn at least one person from every person.Bonne Nuit
Pennsylvania: Origin of the LADY PACK
So we are currently on Day 4 of our ride, which means I have a lot of catching up to do!Day 1: Riding out of NYC was so much fun. We left from Central Park and even had FOX news record a short segment about the I4K. Some highlights of NYC are the following: walking past the diner in Seinfeld, visiting Ground Zero, seeing the Statue of Liberty, and walking around in Times Square and SoHo. We ended our ride in Hillsborough, NJ and stayed at the Thakkars' home. They made us a great dinner (including an I4K cake!), let us shower at their home, and even gave us breakfast. The ride to Hillsboro was kind of difficult at the end because my group just wanted to get there and get out of the heat. P.S. - I felt pretty bad ass riding through NYC.Day 2: We took off from Hillsborough and headed to Philadelphia. This ride seemed pretty long but I had a lot of fun. I definitely learned that it's worth buying some Gatorade whenever I can and just drinking it all right then and there. Our last 20 miles were on a FLAT bike trail... something we were all looking forward to because Illinois roads did not prepare us for hills or mountains. Before we got on the trail, we experienced tube demons. A few miles into the trail, there was a spider incident. Then once the trail ended, we arrived right in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The stairs in front of the museum were the same stairs that are in Rocky. So me, Ana, Jeff, and Tracey ran up the stairs air punching and Jill recorded a sweet video of us. We got to our stayover and I took my first hose shower, right outside of a church. Never thought I would have done that but I am okay with it. It was funny to watch people walking by and see the confusion in their faces. At the end of the day, I enjoyed my very first Philly cheese steak sandwich.Day 3: We left Philadelphia bright and early to get to Lancaster. This day was tough because the hills were intense and we got lost a few times, about 7 miles out of our way. Even though this day was rough with tons of hills, it was SO much fun. We had our lunch stop at an Amish farm and the family there gave us some homemade strawberry ice cream. It was probably the best ice cream I've ever had in my entire life. Then they let us pet their animals, which included 2 horses and 1 springer spaniel. We also got to pick fresh strawberries from their garden. Day 3 will forever be special because this was the day that we named our riding group "The Lady Pack." The Lady Pack is made of myself, Ana, Bridget, Diana, Jillian, Lauren, and Tracey. We stick together and kick butt. Jeff is an honorary member of the Lady Pack and I hope that he will come visit us once in a while when the super fast groups are just going too fast. Day 3 is also the day I got my first flat. It took me, Bridget, Jillian, and Jeff to change it. Ana fell asleep on the side of the road even though semi trucks were speeding past her and Diana fell asleep sitting on the guardrail. Tracey just relaxed and offered moral support. Even though we had to use a hand pump to fill my new tube with air, Jeff got it pumped up to the right PSI which is pretty awesome and VERY hard. Going up on some of the hills was pretty discouraging, but we still did it and me and Bridget survived not vomiting. Jeff is the man because he brings me up when I am feeling down and he will even ride up the hills, then ride back down them to support those who are struggling. That kind of support makes things easier and I appreciate it so much. Our stayover in Lancaster was like a hotel because we got to shower!Day 4: Jill "Moshered" me, which means that I had to plan a short team activity for all of us to do before we left on our journey to Gettysburg. So I made everyone gather around in a circle and do some power stretching. Then everyone had to give the person to the right a compliment and a hug. It was a lot of fun, got us laughing and happy, and made the beginning of my ride easier. We also did a huge group circle hug. I think we should always start our mornings with hugs. Unfortunately, on the way to Gettysburg, the Lady Pack was separated. I rode with Bridget and Jillian and we kept a great pace. We ended up being in second place until a fast group (Conor, Eamon, Steve, Greg, and Nate) passed us while we were on a water break. They were loaded up on energy shots and Jillian and I enjoyed their hyperness. Once we arrived in Gettysburg, the Lady Pack was reunited and joined by Disha and Megan for a nice lunch at a local pub. The food and service was great and worth every penny. Later in the evening, we stopped to get some ice cream and got to meet Jeff's parents and their dog Charlie. I think Charlie is the official I4K9 because he is cute and because we love dogs, but not the cocker spaniel that tried to bite mine, Bridget, and Jillian's legs off today. I still need to pass the Mosher on and I know exactly who I am going to give it to. I just need to be sneaky about it.Props to everyone on the I4K team helping me change my name back to Gabrielle. I am going to try my hardest to help Jill change her name back to Jillian.Quotes to remember: "Demons" (Bridget), "I'm gonna I4K_________________" (Ana), "Jillian likes jiggly legs" (me), "Key Lime Pie?!" (Ana), "I wish America was on a downhill slope from NYC to San Francisco" (Lauren), "I don't know where I can go to shove my hand down my shorts" (Jillian), "WHAT?!" (Tracey), "If my dog had a Facebook, I'd add him." (Me), To Sean: "We know." (Diana)THE LADY PACK IS WILD.The Lady Pack also needs to push harder so we can catch up with the other riders. Maybe after the mountains. Maybe.
Cloudy with a chance of rain
The weather for our 60 mile bike ride today was awesome. The clouds and slight mist kept us cool during our ride through the busy hills and roads. It felt great compared to the last two days in the heat. Everyone arrived in Gettysburg before 2pm so we all had some time to relax. Some went to explore Gettysburg for a little while, some did laundry so they would finally have a fresh new pair of clothes, and some went to the bike shop to fix up their bikes. Jeff's family dropped off his new bike since his last one broke a couple days ago. They also brought some great snacks/beverages to hold us over for a while. They will defientely come in handy during our 85 mile ride through the montains tomorrow. Tomorrow will be challenging. Thank goodness Illinois doesn't have hills!
Hills
Today we arrived in Gettysburg, PA! It's pretty exciting that 60 mile days are considered our easiest days. Today was the first day of cooler weather, slight drizzles, and mostly rolling hills. We've gotten much better on the hills and we're taking them pretty well even though everyone is sore from the previous rides. I started out in the 2nd group today but unforunately Pi had two flats and we had some chains fall off during the ride. Nonetheless, we got in around 1pm, definitely the earliest arrival all trip. Once here, we split up to get lunch and ask for donations. Kyle, Pi, Max, Michell, and I ate at the Lincoln Diner, all enjoying delicious burgers, and as a team we managed a huge dinner of donated pizza, sandwiches, cookies, chips, etc. Overall, we're been eating very well on the trip so far.Exploring Gettysburg was fun, there were some cool pocket watches and other trinkets in the antique shop, and in the hat of Abe Lincoln in the town circle, we found some Oreos! So strange...Tomorrow's ride is 85 miles, and our first taste of mountains. I'm a little apprehensive, but hopefully we can make it in reasonable time :)
Gettysburg 05/28
Today was a nice change from the past few days, we may have even broken the "Lady Pack's Demon Curse" (knock on wood). Weather was down to around 60 degrees instead of 90 and the ride was only 60 miles into Gettysburg... and yes I rode the entire way. The hills weren't that enjoyable but riding with my hurt knee buddy Ana and our support teammate Tracey, we made it in by 1:30. Upon our arrival, we found a delicious restaurant and decided to treat ourselves to a nutritious (and quite filling) meal. I sprung for desert first. It was amazing.Ana and I are now at "Dolly's Wash House" getting our clothes nice and clean. While handwashing is lovely, I'm really looking forward to some fantastic smelling DRY clothes... the past few days we have been hang drying over night and packing them away damp in the morning, woof.Gettysburg itself seems like a pretty cool town. I'm hoping to head out and explore in a little bit, but a nap sounds equally as satisfying. Tomorrow we hit the mountains so we shall see how that goes, a nice 60 degree overcast would be the perfect match, cross your fingers!
Hello from Gettysburg!!
Hey hey hey hey -Well, its been awhile since I've updated the blog and well, I guess its a result of adapting to the new Illini 4000 lifestyle. Things have been running fairly smoothly overall but it does kind of seem like we always have something to do. While we are super tired after spending a day on the road, we all have chores and duties to fulfill throughout the day. For example, today, once arriving to our stay-over in Gettysburg, a bunch of us went exploring the town for any food donations. My group was able to grab a $10 gift certificate to a thai restaurant! Hello one bite of Pad Thai!!Besides the chores, adapting to sleep on floors every night has its challenges but, to be serious, its really not too hard to do after bike 80 miles in 93 degree weather. Also, PB&J has become a staple part of my diet as well as motivator. Nothing is better after spending a few hours pedaling through countryside than a good ol' American native sandwhich.As far as the riding goes, its been awesome. Difficult at times but all around amazing. Flying down hills at 30mph has become a daily activity and views of rolling hills can be taken in during any part of the ride, it seems. I've only had one flat tire so far and otherwise, no bike problems or falls (knock on wood!). Other riders haven't been so lucky with a few falls and one cracked frame but as a team, I think we're doing just right.Oh, also, I had a chance to see my big sis Jenny and some friends in her new hometown of Philly just two days ago! It was awesome, we got some Ethiopian food and milkshakes which was extra tasty after a good 80 miles.Ok, well, I hope you are all well at home. Please leave comments or anything. Much love, internet people!
Short ride to Gettysburg
After two days of riding in the blazing sun, today was a nice change. It was about 60 degrees and we only ride 60 miles! The hills were hard for me, but I made it. We were a bit delayed because Pi had two flats and Kyle's chain fell off a few times.We also decided to wait and do lunch until we got to the stayover, and my group got in about 1:30 or so. This is a nice change from the past few days, though, because we've gotten in around 5. It's nice to have some down time.People are out exploring Gettysburg and looking for some food donations so I might join them in a bit!
To Lancaster, PA Strawberry Fields and feeling fine
Yesterday we rode about 80 miles through Amish country and the rolling hills of PA. Everyone we encountered was very friendly! It's fun to see how much a state can change as you get through it. PA is huge! Even though this day was almost just as hot, I think I did a better job hydrating myself, so the day was a blast.We rode about 20 miles on a flat bike trail when we left Philly which was awesome! Some of the people I was riding with and I went to this abandoned factory that had some really sweet graffiti.The hills were difficult again but I was able to get through them. Our president, Conor, did the ride last year and his words were encouraging. He told us that the first 5 days or so will be really tough, but after that everything will get easier once we're used to the schedule and everything. I kept thinking of that to get me through.Right before lunch some of us decided to stop at a strawberry stand outside a home. We had seen so many signs for freshly picked strawberries and Pi insisted so we had to stop. They were hands down the best strawberries I had ever tasted and I don't even think this is because we were cycling in the heat all day. After we had bought a few quarts, the woman running the stand went into her home and got us a bowl of powdered sugar to dip the strawberries in. om nom nom.Immediately after the strawberries, we found a nice shady spot at a house and got permission to use their lawn/gazebo to eat lunch. Then we got the best phone call ever...Sean has been driving the van for us and he was on his way to meet up with us and for some reason decided to turn our huge 12 passenger van around and got it stuck in a ditch. All of us had to turn around and go help. We were going to unload the van so that we could push it out, but a truck passed us and towed the van out.The best part happened after the van got out of the ditch. Lauren was riding in the van for the second part of the day because her knee was acting up, and after we got towed, Sean just drove away to the lunch stop! Lauren was just standing there on the side of the road with us without a bike or any way of getting there. She eventually hitched a ride with someone. Lauren made sure to make Sean feel bad, so he made her an apology sandwich with special bread. Nicee.Our stayover was awesome. We stayed in a giant First United Methodist Church with SHOWERS and ate awesome leftovers from our first stayover. I went to bed early, admiring all the battle wounds on my legs.
Hot ride to Philadelphia
Our second day of riding was a tough one. It was particularly hot out, around 93! I think we rode about 75 miles. We were introduced to hills and I did okay for awhile until the heat started getting to me. I fell twice while standing in place because it was so hot and I didn't clip out properly. I have some gnarly bruises!After lunch I felt much better and was ready to roll! We eventually arrived in Philly and rode through the city near the art museum. (That's the museum where Rocky ran up the steps)We stayed at a Methodist church that had a big room for us and after having some pizza that was donated to us by the Illinois Alumni organization in Philadelphia, some of us walked around the town to set out for a Philly Cheesesteak. We ended up going to a hilarious corner store that sold drinks from big glass fridges like a gas station, and the menu was truly a smorgasbord. Not only did the place have Philly cheesestakes, it had Chinese, Greek, Fish, etc. It was fun to chill out before going to bed.