[update]

Please visit evandana.com to read how Bike & Build is influencing my life currently.

[photos]

Seattle, WA (fin)

Here I sit in small diner chararacteristic of Seattle's unique style, reflecting on the past months of traveling and the preparation for it.

We touched hearts and houses in small towns and big cities as we pedaled east to west. After a day of riding, we would talk with community members about their experiences and learn about local affordable housing issues. Following dinner, I enjoyed presenting Bike & Build's missions and daily life to the community (partly because of the public speaking practice). We were able to participate actively in the ensuing conversations because of our individual presentations to each other about affordable housing topics. By then helping to build houses, we not only learned new skills, but also were able to meet the owners, sometimes. We discussed the process for securing a Habitat house while pounding nails or screwing up drywall. We played a small part in realizing future homeowner's dreams through raising awareness and raising walls.

As the trip progressed, I not only learned about affordable housing issues across the country, but also about the origins of Bike & Build. Roughly speaking, the primary intent of Marc Bush (B&B's founder) was to influence youth towards community involvement and increased bike-awareness. He then chose to use affordable housing and biking across the country as the medium to wed and accomplish these goals. And, honestly, I do feel more of a desire to volunteer in my community and to bike instead of drive. I aim to combine community service into my career as a means by which to strengthen and broaden my skills and interests.

I biked roughly from 8am until 4pm, 6 days a week, and it was a time of mindless spinning and mindfull meditation. Being confident in my own pace proved to be the biggest challenge I faced the whole trip. (Ok, Shoshomi and Sioux City, you rest as the exceptions.) I was very self-conscious every time I sped on ahead because of the general "anti-competition" attitude of the group. Now, I wasn't racing against anyone else, but against my own willpower, determination, and burning legs. I spun smoothest and tolerated the hard saddle when I was pushing myself. What brought me to accept my own pace independent of others' was though discussing stories of another rider's similar struggle. Finding the viewpoint that there will be differing judgements regardless of my daily pace, helped me to choose my own path without worrying about possible disapproval. I see this mindset being helpful in making leadership decisions in an industrial design career because of it's subjective nature.

I am honored to have shared the summer with 29 other amazing people, who each contributed positively to the group dynamics. With 2/3 of the riders over 21 years old, our group's average age was a bit higher than the typical B&B group. Everyone played some part in contributing to the calmer and more thoughtful attitudes that helped us to work together. For example, our weekly Town Hall Meetings (designed to allow concerns and compliments to be aired publically) became more enjoyable by starting with a getting-to-know-you-questions game. We also read anynonomous Way-To-Go's to bolster good feelings and recognize small acts of kindness. These tactics coupled with the non-competitive atmosphere really helped rollover petty personality conflicts without problems.

By traveling across the country, through places I may never visit again, I mulled the passage of time and circumstance. The weeks lurched by as we passed endless fields, hills, and towns of all sizes. By what scale should I weight my options for how I spend my time? Finding a balance between enjoying a good pace groove and poking around a small town store meant choosing between the physical moment and inquisitive mind. I listened to intuition and my body to decide where to go and at what speed, but most importantly, I was grateful for the opportunity to make the choice. Every choice yeilded a unique experience to enjoy and from which to learn. There are neat places I found unexpectedly hidden: unique and curious architecture, for example, that isn't charted on tourist information. Similarly, many people I met shared interesting stories and attitudes that weren't apparent from first glance. I am continually amazed by how much I don't know I don't know.

Riding down the chute through the finishline and splashing into the Pacific feels more like a transition than the end of the journey. I will move onward, more aware of myself and my country, promoting cycling and community service.

Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible though donations, organization, and of course, my fellow riders.

-Evan

[photos]

Wallace, ID

Last night we stayed in Superior, MT and were enthralled with the Rodeo! Some of the highlights include Steer Wrestling and Bull Riding. (Hopefully, more pictures will follow!) Steer Wrestling involves jumping off of a speeding horse onto a running steer (in this case a young calf with horns) and pull it to the ground by the horns. Then, through brute strength, roll the calf over a full turn. Yeah, most cowboys missed jumping onto the steer, let alone the rest of it.

In one fell swoop, we crossed the final time zone change, into Idaho, and through Outlook Pass. We climbed up to Outlook Pass, a measly 4660ft above sea level, without much ado. We knew we had reached the base of the pass when the headwind died and the grade increased a bit. The mile of ascent without headwind was easier than the 14 miles preceding it. The descent was quite enjoyable as the moderate grade and headwind helped to keep our pace less than ridiculous.

The most enjoyable part of todays ride was the quiet and serene paved bike path snaking along a river for the last 10 miles into the quiet and colorful town of Wallace.

Well, my computer finally kicked the bucket, so I'll be much more sparse in my blogs. Photos may also be fewer and father between. Sorry, folks. Put up some good comments or emails to me, though, so I can stay updated!

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.

[photos]

[photos]