We're All In This Together

The most recent days of the trip were spent in Asheville, NC. Yesterday we had a build day and the group worked with two different organizations. My group worked with Mountain Housing Opportunities (http://www.mtnhousing.org) while the other group worked with Asheville Habitat for Humanity. MHO is an extremely fascinating group to work with and their goals are inspiring. It's very community driven and is worth reading about on their website. After a day of priming multiple rooms, my group joined up with the group at the Habitat build site for a wall raising. 

The wall raising was one of the most amazing things I've been a part of while working with Affordable Housing Groups. We witnessed the first wall of a home being raised, the family getting to see that, and a community joining together. 

Today was my first day back on the bike after finding out I had a cracked rib. I don't think I've ever been so excited to be on a bike. 

The first thing this morning, my friend Emily woke me up with the words "you get to ride today!!" and the biggest grin on her face. Nearly everyone in the group hugged me or high fived me this morning out of excitement for me to rejoin the ride. Those encouraging words and actions meant more to me than my team members will ever know.

We rolled out of Asheville, NC around 8:30 this morning on our way to Waynesville, NC. Only about a 30 mile ride with some relatively hefty hills. It was such a beautiful ride coming through the mountains and getting to see some gorgeous views. Well worth struggling up those hills. 

I rode with a wonderful group today that was careful to go a speed I could keep up with and would not fatigue myself too much for fear of reinjuring myself. We took a few breaks at the tops of huge hills and also at a carnival. Sadly, it was closed but we still got our picture taken! 

The entire group opted to meet at Lake Junaluska instead of going straight to the church where we are spending the night since we had about 4 hours to kill. It was so gorgeous and created a time for us all to hang out without the pressures of chores, biking, or trying to get enough sleep. After a lunch of whatever we could scrounge up in the coolers, we waded in the lake, some hung up hammocks, others napped under the trees, and all just had a relaxing afternoon. 

Before heading to our host site, we had our "town hall meeting." This meeting is weekly and consists of "highs and lows," switching chore groups and just general announcements or messages from the leaders.

This past week was a challenging one for everyone on the trip, whether emotional, physical, or mental. The point of sharing our highs and lows is to create an open forum where we all can be honest and share our thoughts from the previous week. It's an emotional experience hearing everyone's low because it makes people vulnerable but it's also emotional to hear their high because you know they've conquered something. At this point in the trip, we are all invested in each other. We want each other to succeed and accomplish this great feat of biking across the country. 

While sharing with each other, I was completely shocked to hear a few of the highs ... That included me. I never imagined my actions towards others made such an impact and helped them. Hearing that I had a part in somebody's high moment for the week moved me to tears. Especially once I revealed my low. My low for the week was riding in the van. The rides that I missed were some of the toughest our group will encounter. People bonded over those achievements and I was an onlooker. I felt like I couldn't share those moments with them and like I was an outsider. For people to tell me I had a part in such a pivotal moment for them, whatever that moment might've been, my heart couldn't have been happier. They were all included in my high: putting on my Bike and Build jersey again for the first time in 9 days. And seeing people be completely overjoyed and excited for me to bike with them again. 

These are the moments I'll never forget. These moments are what Bike and Build is all about. We all struggle differently, but we are all a group, a team, a family. We are all doing something incredible, and the best part is that we are doing it together. 

Triumphs and Setbacks

I haven't posted in a few days but there has been tons of stuff going on, so I hope you're ready for a huge update. 

Leaving Greenville to head to Wake Forest was a hell of a day. 84 miles. Pouring rain. Aching body. Flat tires. Dropped chains. A few near bonks (aka "hitting the wall"). And countless other things that could've ended the day early had my group given up. But, we didn't. My group stuck together through all of those things, encouraged each other endlessly up what seemed like endless mountains, communicated like professionals while navigating through traffic and monsoon weather, and made it safely to Wake Forest after a grueling 9 hour journey. Making it up that final hill into Wake Forest was probably one of the most rewarding feelings. Every single person in my group cried at least once during that 84 mile trek, but those tears were never caused by hitting a breaking point. Those tears only fell because of the pride and accomplishment that we all felt in each other. I've never been more proud or invested in the success of people I had only known for a few short days. But, I will honestly never forget the hug that we all shared at the end of that ride when we arrived at our destination. 

The next day, we rode from Wake Forest to Chapel Hill. While this ride was only 39 miles, it was probably the longest 39 miles of my life. After completing that ever challenging ride the day before, the thought of rolling hills (okay, only uphills) was not pleasing. I thought my body was tired heading into Wake Forest, but that was nothing compared to the fatigue I felt heading to Chapel Hill. The ride definitely had some great moments (convincing CVS to donate a medical kit, finagling our way into a free lunch at Firehouse Subs, beautiful scenery, and some good laughs). But, the ride also had a few crashes, my chain fell off my bike and I ended up with a fractured rib (which went undiagnosed for a few days, but I'll get there). 

We eventually made it to Chapel Hill looking pretty ragged after the last two days, but Chapel on the Hill Church welcomed us with open arms and a delicious meal. The hospitality that we have experienced on this trip has been absolutely incredible.  After we all got cleaned up and rested that night, the next day was our first build day of the trip. We joined up with Orange County Habitat for Humanity and Brush With Kindness. Half of the group went to a home and put on a roof while others painted a new home and the rest of the group went to a home to help rebuild a back deck. I was in the group that helped with the deck. We worked with Brush with Kindness - a branch that works with Habitat in order to help revitalize homes that are in surrounding neighborhoods. It keeps the homes looking nice and also gives homeowners a since of pride in their homes. 

We worked with a lady named Ms. Bradshaw and she was quite a character! She told us so many stories of her past and her family. Our group could hardly contain our laughter. Meeting the people whose homes we work on has to be one of my favorite things. You really get a sense of who they are and it builds a special connection each and every time. At the end of the day, we were covered in mosquito bites, mud, and sweat but it was 100% worth it to see how happy she was with the progress we had made at her home. 

After working all day, we were extremely happy to find a potluck dinner waiting for us after our showers. Members of the church, family of riders and also past B&B riders all joined together to feed our never ending appetites. It was so great getting to hear stories of past B&B summers and learning what we have to look forward to over the next 9 weeks. 

The next morning, I finally admitted to my leaders (and my mother) that I had been experiencing some pain in my abdomen and my right side, especially when trying to breathe. I was immediately whisked away to an urgent care where X-rays were taken. While my oxygen levels were still good (thankfully), I did in fact have a broken rib. During a crash on Tuesday, my elbow had jabbed into my right side just right to fracture my 10th rib. After a tearful conversation with the doctor, I have been restricted to no biking for preferably a week. I was heartbroken. I came on this trip to ride every single mile and in the first week, I'm already setback. But, it's something I can't control. 

I've never been good at allowing injuries to heal (note 11 weeks in a boot because I kept running on a stress fracture, 8 months out of the water because I kept swimming on a messed up shoulder). This injury seems no different since I'm so anxious to get back on the bike. But, I'm trying to allow my rib to heal so I don't end up fracturing it worse and potentially displacing it. Talk about frustration! 

The last two bike days, I've ridden in the van. It's heartbreaking to not be out on the road with my fellow Bike and Builders  and suffering all those miles with them. I feel like I miss out on so much as a result. 

Today was another build day in Charlotte. I am limited in what I can do on build sites which only adds to my frustration. I came on a trip to bike and build, yet I can hardly do either right now. 

I knew this trip would be incredibly challenging, but it is challenging me in ways I never expected. I also try to find glitter in each tough situation, but so far, not so much luck on that. I'm hoping to be back on the bike in a few days and then the challenge will be to not over do it. And I promise I'll update more! Thanks for patiently reading this long post! 

100 mile update.

Over the last two days, we've biked a little over 100 miles. And holy cow do I feel every single mile of that. 

Leaving Nags Head, NC was one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. We arrived at a beach access where various donors, sponsors, and Bike and Build reps spoke. After this small ceremony, we all took our bikes out onto the beach and dipped our wheels in the Atlantic Ocean. As we rode our bikes out of Nags Head with a police escort, people stood in their driveways and waved while cheering us on. What an awesome way to start this adventure! I'm a huge sap, so naturally, I got all emotional and my heart welled up with joy and excitement.... If only I couldn't kept that feeling for the next 67 miles. 

In case you didn't know, there is NOTHING between Nags Head and Swanqaurter. I repeat, NOTHING. Well, except swamps and flat, straight, boring roads. That was probably the longest 67 miles of my life thus far. Especially in blazing sun and 90 degree temps. Good thing it's only just the beginning! 

When we finally arrived in Swanquarter, we were welcomed with open arms and warm hearts by the small church community of Soule Methodist. After a COLD shower in a high school gym, the feast the church ladies prepared for us was heavenly. Though I'm not quite sure about the keyboard sound effects with the praise music after riding so far and with a full belly. All I wanted was sleep! 

7 am this morning came WAY quicker than I'd usually hope, but the bike calls! Luckily today was only 35 miles. The majority of the group stayed together today which was a blast. We conquered a good sized hill and hit up a yard sale where we found some quality items for B&B prom (date TBD). 

After arriving in Belhaven early afternoon, people in the church community opened their homes to us for showers and laundry and even meals or naps. I don't know if a hot shower has ever felt so good. We then came back to Trinity Methodist where we feasted on a huge meal, again prepared by church ladies. I could get used to all this awesome cooking!! 

Tomorrow we have a ride of a little over 50 miles followed by an 82 mile ride on Monday. The challenges keep coming but, the challenges we face are less than those we are helping. That's what keeps me going. 

First Day!

I couldn't think of a clever title for this post... Not that my others were really that clever. But, today was the first day of our orientation for Bike and Build! To say I was nervous driving up to the location is a complete understatement. There were so many emotions and thoughts flooding my mind and heart. 

While I'm obviously nervous about the whole biking across the country thing, the biggest thing rattling my nerves is the idea of meeting 27 new people and spending 70 days with them... 24 hours a day. 

It was an incredible feeling for that fear to melt away the second I walked up at the drop off. Immediately people started introducing themselves and the excitement chatter just grew and grew. I realized it was silly to have that fear of not fitting in because these people are like me. We're all here to make a difference in the world, even if the world is just the life of one person. To that person, it's their world. 

First impressions are such a critical point of life these days. Whether you're interviewing for jobs, meeting a blind date or just encountering others on a daily basis, that initial impression is one that will last forever. It's important to not permanently judge others on these first impressions. 

For me, walking up to 27 strangers and introducing myself was a huge hurdle because I fear first impressions. But, I'm so happy to report that I am already madly in love and obsessed with these individuals. I can't wait to see how our bonds and friendships grow over the next 10 weeks.

For now, let's just try to be open minded and love one another in this world without making assumptions on those first impressions.