Missoula, MT (83+ miles)

As we cycled on, the mountains revealed themselves gradually though the haze from nearby fires. It's no surprhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifise that we have seen many signs warning of an extremely high chance of fire due to the dry season. I've also heard that the average summer temperature has risen 15ºF in the past few years. Glad I'm traveling on a bike!

What if everyone were to tour the country by bike, or at least commute en velo? Adventure Cycling is a non-profit dedicated entirely to encouraging touring on two leg-powered wheels. Their office here in Missoula is a fantastic example of how they will achieve this. I strolled up to their door and pulled three times before I was convinced that it was locked and after-hours. But, Julie came to the door, greeted me with a smile, and offered a quick tour. They have a great selection of maps and tour prepping information. Plus, they offer drinks, ice cream, and internet to touring cyclists, gratuit!

I'm making this journal entry from a really neat shop called Liquid Planet. Check out the pictures of the interior. They have products and organic treats for people who enjoy beverages (beer, wine, tea, coffee, smoothies) like a hobby.

The horrendous headwinds of yesterday's late start were happily dodged as we rolled into the bike-friendly city of Missoula. Now this is actually a city: we don't double the population, there are multiple coffee shops and, more importantly, bike shops. Plus, we're lucky enough to have multiple HOT showers available at our gorgeously "archetectured" church-host and all our meals covered during the day off, too!

The feel of the downtown, the people, and the river, are quite appealing to me. We're all excited about spending our day off, in a town whose streets are lined with locked up bikes - ones that aren't ours! As a whole the town's population seems to be quite fit, athletic, and friendly. People take time to fully explain directions to a confused cyclist. Store clerks might have a conversation with you. Yeah, weird.

The ride into town brought us up a few rises and down more slopes on a fairly wide shoulder. It was great to have the room to chit-chat with Eric and Bronwyn without anxiety about being hit by a logging truck's caboose. We cruised along and a ripe quick pace that afforded us enough time for a dip in the rocky stream.

Lincoln, MT (56 miles)

Well, we just finished crossing the Continental Divide for the third time in the past week. Flesher Pass wasn't as long, as steep, or as high as Teton Pass, but we didn't start it until after 35 miles of headwind uphill. Our initial descent from the top was also great, but the rest of the downhill was robbed by the intense gusts in our face.

This morning's breakfast in Helena was absolutely scrumptious! We woke up to heaping stacks of blueberry pancakes, OJ, sausage, and homefries! 6 pancakes have never sat so well in my stomach. Delicious!

Bozeman, MT (92 miles)

We started in West Yellowstone this morning wearing our leg and arm warmers up the climb into the state park only to descend into the heat of Bozeman 92 miles later. Tree lined forests flanked the road as my sluggish legs were reminded of cold en route up the first few miles. After that, the road turned downwards for the REST OF THE RIDE! We cruised down by Yellowstone's streams and mountains at a comfortable 22mph. We finally reaped the due rewards of our previous 3000 miles of ups, downs, and more ups.

I cruised up to the first lunch stop (with quite chilled fingers) and enjoyed three pb&j's surrounded by the gorgeousness of nature. I then enjoyed relaxing by a river before playing on the swingset at second lunch.

So nice and relaxing.

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Ashton, ID (72 miles)

I had a great stay with the Cummings' the other night in Landers with Sam. We each took turns, some of us better musically equipped than the other, playing the super-duper-electro-ORGAN-erator. Really neat.

The next day I was astounded with the amazing beauty of the mountains as the patchy clouds highlighted a few peaks at a time. We had a 30 mile climb (moderate-low grade), on which I stopped more with the descent than the climb. Due to some construction, we were trucked 4 miles over some gravel, but rode the bulk of it. After crossing the Continental Divide, which divides the watersheds for the Atlantic and Pacific, we saw signs for "10% grade [down] for next 17 miles". Wow. We stopped frequently, some due to the cold wet air, but mostly for the view. I'll let the pictures do the talking though. There was so much more astounding landscape, but only photos will do it justice.

Today we crossed the Teton Pass, at 8468 ft - a 2k+ climb in 5.5 miles. Yeah, it was steep. It took me the first third of it to accept the grade, accept the effort necessary, and just settle into a groove. I was climbing solo through thick clouds for who knows how long. Occasionally the grade would weaken, but never decline. Then as I rounded a bend, the sun snuck into a corner of the mountain and illuminated it in the majesty that it deserved...

A few more stretches of dense clouds later, I crept out above the clouds to see them below me, and a nearby mountain peak reaching out of the sea of white. All those phrases poets said are actually true. I almost chocked on its beauty. I was tearing. I was laughing. It took my breath away. I flew up the last 200m, with exclamations of accomplishment and awe. I then climbed to the peak of the nearby mountain and saw the clouds stretch out endlessly below me, and I thought for a second that I must be flying.

Wow.

Dubois, WY (76 miles)

Wow. So there's more to tell than I have time. I'm using the internet courtesy of Wind River Gear, who has opened their computer to me so that I can check my email. Yeah, some people and buisnesses are that nice.

Last night we split up and stayed with individuals from Landers, in their homes! It was amazing to have that "home" feel!

The ride today! Oh the ride! The layered rocks strewn out for miles and miles, reaching to the sky, under flirtatious clouds. Oh, outstanding! And some nice mountain flower scents!

Expect an update when I get the next chance to go online.

Wow.

Lusk, WY (82 miles)

I really enjoyed the views today as the buttes rose out of the horizon; we could feel the approach of the Rockies! The wind was kind and the sun gently hid behind spotty clouds. I felt good enough to eat a 1/2 typical B&B breakfast (equal to about half a day's worth of cereal and banana for the average person), which served me well for the first half of the ride. However, I bonked hard up the only hill (very mild grade, but 3 miles long) because my core had no energy from not eating much yesterday. (I had been feeling queasy for a few days prior.) So I took it easy the rest of the ride. We played some word games to make the ride more enjoyable.

Having been slightly sick recently, it makes me more aware of how well everything else works. I become far more appreciative of not suffering severe knee problems, numb hands, or prohibitive saddle sores. Slight injuries are a great reminder that larger injuries have been dodged. On that note, we all are so grateful for the delicious meals, friendly folk, and sleeping quarters every night.

I didn't have my cyclocomputer in a spot where I could see it, so I rode the whole day not knowing how fast or how far I was going. Usually, I'm pretty unconsiously obsessive about this data under the guise that I need it to make the right turns according to our cue sheet. However, since our route was to take 81.5 miles on Route 20 westbound, I figured I could go without for a day. I enjoyed letting my body tell me how fast or slow to go, instead of my spedometer. I also found that I relaxed about "the miles left to go" before it gets hot, because all I could do was ride the same pace, anyway. I think I'll try this again while the route is a straight-shot, as a way to focus more in the moment.

Oh, did we mention we did 566 miles last week, but who's counting?

Upon reaching our destination I promptly downed a Gatorade and took a siesta. This has become my enjoyable post-ride practice, as of late. I further enjoyed a ridiculously cold popsicle (which clung to my lips so surprisingly well I lost some skin to it) and a trip to the local library. While waiting for dinner, in a lethargic state, I slid into a teeny room packed with couches to watch a few episodes of "the Office". Us being used to close quarters, weren't phased one bit as the room filled quickly past the typical occupancy, threefold.

Dinner was delicious! We had a great pasta dish with veggies and chicken, plus a rice-salad-esque mix with fruit, and so much more! Oh, did http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifI mention Snickerdoodles! Delicious!

During dinner I had the pleasure of talking with Loydaine (I hope I spelled your name right!) and learned some crazy stuff about the Wyoming weather. Apparently, it could snow any month of the year in these parts, and still be 50º on Christmas! 50-60 mph winds aren't uncommon, and consequentially, the weather can change drastically with short notice. Loydaine and Tom have been fantastically helpful in coordinating our stay and just wait to hear what they set up for us tomorrow night....

(Visit bikeandbuild.org for the rest of the group journal entries.)

Chadron, NE (day off)

I don't feel so well today. I am trying to avoid getting the sickness that's going around, and thus far I've dodged the bullet, but at the expense of my energy. I'm quite tired. I should be fine by tomorrow assuming that I rest up well enough.

Last night I saw Transformers, the Movie at the teeny little theatre in town. It was terribly great. Or, greatly terrible? Either way, I enjoyed it thoroughly as I was expecting to be entertained by CG and a simple plot.

This morning, I helped make the pancake breakfast as best I could, but wasn't feeling up to the benefits of my efforts! Boo! I tell you I'm looking forward to getting my healthy appetite back!

Have no worries though, friends and family, I'll be cycling tomorrow!

Valentine, NE (84 miles)

Sidenote: There was an article in the Lowell Sun last Friday about Bike & Build and my experience thus far. If you didn't get a chance to read it in the paper (I hear it was on the 3rd page with a photo!) you can find it online.

Breakfast today was exactly what we want. Cereal, toast, fruit, muffins, and enough for seconds, thirds, and fourths.

Today seemed like two separate days weather-wise. This morning, it was cool and only mildly breezy. This afternoon, it was quite hot and we faced intense headwinds. The shoulder on the road was pretty good and there weren't any climbs, so we're pretty happy overall.

I needed a solo ride today and just sank into my aero bars, legs spinning away at circles. I watched the ground blur and streak through my shadow, with my head down on this straight, flat terrain.

I took a nice leisurely lunch break nap on a picnic table in the shade. This was in a town, that looked exactly like what you would imagine a "small old western town" to look like. There was a saloon (L-Bow Bar), an antique store, a bank, and not much else.

A muscle in my lower back/butt was mighty tight today, so about 10 miles after lunch, at the first tree I saw, I pulled over to stretch. I happened upon a napping Amelia, and looked up to see Grandma's Playhouse and Ice Cream Shop. Delightful. I chatted with Amelia for a bit, then "Grandma" drove in and opened up her shop. I had some delicious sorbet, lemon, lime, and raspberry! And she filled our waterbottles with ice and water. Such a treat!

Then, a few more miles down the road, we saw Bill, who is walking backwards across the country. I believe he drives down some miles, walks backwards to some point, then forwards, always facing West. He also set many other records, such as 2-finger push-ups. Neat.

We had to wait a bit after reaching the church to find out where to shower. Did you know you can take a nearly heart-stoppingly-cold shower and almost enjoy it after a day in the sun?

Sioux City, IA (101 miles)

Today we climbed 7,200 feet of rolling uphills though the wind for 7 and a half hours. Yup, I'm wiped. I also just overate to the point where I needed to lay down on the floor for a bit before anything else, even before showering. (Thanks to the local YMCA for providing a great meal!)

There is no such thing as an "easy" day with terrain, mileage, and wind like today. You gotta just keep chugging. Then do it again. I made the mistake of powering up hills with gusto the first half of the day only to always find more headwind on the plateau at the top before the ever elusive downhill, which we seemed to only find on rare occasion.

But don't get me wrong, the views were breathtaking (ok, so were the hills). Clear blue sky all around in the morning and in the afternoon, a patchwork of cumulous cotton balls generously spaced curved down past the horizon on both sides. Their shadows slowly walked the endless hills of corn and soy, occasionally welcoming us into their shade. The cool air rushed at us no slower than 15mph, and that's before moving on our bikes. Some improvised songs from Marie and Sam brought light to the ride and helped get over the lunchbelly slump.

A tough crank today reaped a meager 12-15mph. No matter what speed I sought to transition up a hill though momentum, I was humbled by the wind, incline, and miles under my belt. Upon reaching the crest, which would normally allow for some recouping of energy, the wind would now be able to best greet us, full force. And our rewards for the efforts on each hill were not well cashed today, as the wind's force on the downhill rendered it more similar to a slight incline.

Congrats to everyone who finishes the ride today. Oh, and it's only day 2 of 7 straight, with an average around 80. So much for "the wind at our backs", but still I say, "Bring me that horizon!"

Ames, IA (Build Day)

Well, my legs are happy as can be taking the day off. Everyone has demonstrated remarkable napping skills on various terrain and regardless of background commotion due the the past 7 straight days of riding. Being a bit tired myself, I need a calculator to add up the total mileage, so here's the breakdown of the mileage from the past week: 77-48-64-87-102-83-43. Yup, that's a lot for me.

I feel like there are many aspects of the trip that I accept as commonplace, but that you (those not on the trip) wouldn't know anything about. Last night, my chore group was assigned to give a presentation to our hosts. These presentations aren't directed by our leaders; it's up to us to coordinate together to give information about Bike & Build, our cause, fundraising and where the money goes, a day in the life, and how we impact and are impacted by the communities we visit. The past few presentations have been getting increasingly better in their succinct message about poverty housing (as opposed to simply sharing fun stories from the road). Our presentation went smoothly, and in my opinion it stands the best, thus far.

Weather permitting we will be helping Habitat for Humanity pound nails and frame a local house today. The storm has served us well though by giving us some free time this morning, and hopefully cooling off the weather for the next few days ahead.

I feel that the next week will be chock full of long rides. Legs, rest up fast!

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Ames, IA (43 miles)

After a grueling day in the hot sun and hardy headwinds yesterday, we all enjoyed the easy 43 miler today. Instead of writing much about the previous days, I'll just post some photos from the past months.

Oh, and I did a century two days ago!

Cedar Rapids, IA (102 miles)

My first century! (Ok, well the other day I did 88, I might have added an extra 12 dawdling around the town later that night in search of ice cream. But, that aside...)

It was a HOT one today! My bike was reading over 104 degrees at one point! It's funny, the heat and my blister (from the hours of dodgeball we played at the YMCA yesterday) were bothering me more for the first 60 than the rest of the ride. I had a great ride with Elle today, and we passed the time with some good discussions about global issues: natural disasters, what motivates people, and the heirarchy of needs. Oh, and I roared ferociously at all 5 dogs that tried to nip our heels at our outset.

We were treated this evening (after a fabulous meal) to visit a family living in a local Habitat House! It was fantastic to be able to put faces, names, and stories with our cause. The daugter is considering traveling around Europe with a group on a similar mission, but playing music instead of biking.

I would write more, but I'm wiped, and have to wake up in less than 8 hours. Hope you're all doing great!

Pontiac, IL (48 miles)

Today's ride seemed longer than both yesterday's 78, and Saturday's 88. Don't get me wrong though, the views were amazing: more sky than one can possibly take in. It surreal to feel the sphere of sky above the relatively flat fields of corn and soy. All of the fields become eachother as the gravel roads blurr into streaks below our tires. Today we took more back country roads (some weren't so well paved) which resulted in some confusion about the directions. Yesterday and Saturday, we were on one road for all but the last 5 miles or so.

Saturday, I felt great. We started out route 26 and stuck on it for 70 something miles. I had seen Patrick go out a few minutes ahead of me and decided to try to catch up to him for some good ol' conversation. While plugging along into the light wind at 22/23mph, my legs were a testament to the speed, but didn't falter. I seemed to have found my groove that day, where I could maintain a nice solid resistance around each circular pedal stroke. There's something almost hypnotizing, relaxing and exhilarating, to this rhythm of pedaling and green corn fields. The fields would rise and fall as the crops changed form soy to corn and occasionally to a road. Only some of you will know this feeling I'm trying to describe. And those will also know that on the rare occasion it all clicks together, you must let your body go and enjoy the ride.

Sunday, I had a great time in Chicago despite the best efforts of Amtrack. Frustration with the busses instead of trains aside, I enjoyed meeting up with Dave from CAB (who lives in Ohio) to tour around Chicago for the afternoon. We did an Architectural River Boat tour of the city's most prominent buildings, and I was thoroughly interested. Particularly, I was fascinated by the buildings that were built above existing traintrack, without disrupting the train schedule while being built. We then meandered around the Milennium park to interact with the giant reflective kidney bean (look up pictures of this stuff!) and the big towers of people's faces that spat water.

Monday, we started out our ride with 3 friendly cyclists from nearby colleges who were recently dedicating the majority of their time to training for a 1/2 ironman triathalon. It was great to be able to fly down the roads (with wind at our backs for the first time!!!) and hear their stories. Where as Mary thought she was going to do only about 30 miles that day, the three of them ended up doing about 96 because they rode out 46 miles with us! But it seemed so easy!

I'm off to shower soon as we should probably paint the van tonight since it's such a short day. (We went straight through to have lunch at our destination today.)

Wishing everyone an great 4th of July!