google image: allegheny national forest

And that is where I biked through today. It was a beautiful day in pennsylvania and we had the opportunity to bike 70 miles through a national park. Just as I thought my legs were about to give out on a climb, I made it to the top and enjoyed a 3 mile descent that brought us to the Kinzua Dam in the middle of the park. It was truly breathtaking. Also the sunshine today is helping solidify my crazy tan lines. Its going to be interesting when i go out in public wearing normal clothes.

Pour Us A Road

Day 9 on the bike and build journey. We have traveled through 3 states (heading to our 4th tomorrow)and we have climbed 2 mountains. I can honestly say that in all my years of sports, hiking,and exercise in general, I have never physically exherted myself this much. When people say it is 90% mental and 10% physical, they aren't lying. When the sun is sweltering on the climb and your camelpak weighs 10lbs and your legs won't move, all you have to work with is your mind. Fortunately, I am blessed with the support of a great team who are nothing but encouraging. For those of you who know me, positivity doesn't come easily to me. In the past nine days I have learned more from people than some learn in a lifetime (not to be cheesey).

I wish I could describe the feeling of decending a mountain 45 mph on a bike or the satisfaction after completing a 80 mile day but I can't. Just go try it.

Time to go pump my tires and go to bed. pennsylvania tomorrow because "we on to the next one"

Inferno: Feel the Burn

Burn #1
I biked my first 40 mile ride today and i sure did feel it going up the rolling hills.

Burn #2
While descending those rolling hills, I learned that sunglasses aren't just meant to be worn when it is sunny. After having gravel, dirt, and probably a few bugs slam my face, I will now wear my nifty glasses in any weather.

Burn #3
Apparently, when you lean up against a well lubed bike, you will get numerous grease marks on your leg. Pretty certain I scrubbed my legs raw in the shower trying to get off those marks. I will be sure to bring a bottle of goo gone on the trip.

Burn #4
My roomates come up with great new ways to make fun of me when they see me in full biking gear.

Toast to a day of burns. Can't wait to feel it again tomorrow.
Burn baby burn.
disco. inferno.

The New Vibrating Bike

Today was a beautiful day in Ithaca, New York. Sun was shining and birds were chirping. I was going along my merry way when my bike starts vibrating. At first, I thought it may be the pot holes and gravel. Then I just thought 'maybe now I've really broken my bike in.' But turns out I got a flat. Unfortunately, I was no where near my house so I had a nice tour of the Ithaca gorges on foot accompanied by a bike.

I finally made it to the shop where they were talking about tubing,patching, tires, wires etc. I can't wait to learn how to fix that bike myself. Until then my bike, which i think may need a name, is spending the night at the shop.

Broken In

Today I reached 100 miles on my bike, which I think may classify it as broken in? Only 400 more to go for training purposes! I also finished my sweat equity hours with Habitat for Humanity. I am now an expert trim painter. I think we got through 40 pieces today. The guys I worked with were fantastic. Two of them were cyclists and offered some tips for the trip:
1. Don't pack chocolate or peanutbutter energy bars....they will melt
2. Get some good chamois lotion
3. Fall off your bike and get used to it.

It was refreshing to meet these guys and hear their stories.One guy traveled to the galapagos and was giving me some tips for going there. I talked to another guy about Australia. He went backpacking there in the 70s and apparently each state had its own beers they produced so the bars only served that type. Can't wait to get it out on the road and meet a bunch of new interesting people.

Schwinntonation. Bike Sounds

This is my coolest music discovery to date. Schwinntonation, a band from Chicago made music only using bike parts.

Click to check out their first self titled album.
http://schwinntonation.bandcamp.com/

The Beginning

We're about 84 days away from blast off and I couldn't be more excited! To my friends, random people who stumbled upon this, and most importantly my family, I hope I can entertain you with words/pictures/ anecdotes.


A lot of people I have told about the trip ask how I got this notion in my head. I wish I had an epic "come to Jesus" story but unfortunately, I'm fresh out. Every year I come home with about ten crazy adventures in which I want to participate. As Shawn Carter so eloquently put it - "I'd rather die enormous than live dormant." Last year it was living in Australia and jumping out of a plane. The year before I decided to go intern in the Uruguay. The 09-10 winner is Bike and Build. Fortunately, I am blessed with a very supportive family who waits for me to come home with these wild ideas. They are also the ones who ground me and actually make me research each venture. Now that I am fully committed for this summer, I have started training. Which definitely looks a lot easier on TV when Lance is gliding like it is no big deal. Needless to say the past few rides have been a learning experience.

I was pretty naive about the whole stopping part of cycling. I have

ridden recreationally but it is a whole different ball game when you have buses zooming by 2 inches from you. To the right is evidence of my emergency stopping skills. Basically, the sharp bike chain came out of no where and started a fight. But we made up, decided to be friends, and continued riding.

This week, I hope to master the art of clipping in and out of the pedals. I am also desperately trying to adjust to the diaperesque feeling of biking shorts. Hopefully, there is more fun to come from the training ventures.