Sunday, July 31, 2011

Would you watch a Liam Neeson movie marathon?


Made west, and made it back east. Undid 70 days of cycling in a matter of 4 hours by air. I learned on my flight that the skinny long haired Christian Bale is strikingly similar looking to Tom Cruise.
Riding down to the Pacific was amazing. We were greeted to a mob of strangers and family cheering and shouting for us as we rolled down to the beach. It is was all a complete blur to me from the run down to the beach to the rocky water we celebrated in. I get chills anytime I think of it. I find it hard to describe the feeling in words so I leave you with a couple of pictures that might scrape the surface.

We biked 3600 miles for affordable housing. We built for 13 days all across the country with Habitat for Humanity. And the word of charity was spread to the thousands of people we met on our trek. It was effective.

Amid our constant wheeling, each of us learned the past, presents, and futures of the 32 others on our team. They're stories and people I'll never forget.

Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. Thanks to my friends and family for the donations and support. Thanks to all those who donated food and other products to us along the way. Thank you so much to all of our hosts for the hospitality, pot locks, and ground to sleep on. This trip would not be possible without out all ya'll.

"There are no ordinary moments."

Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"Guy on a Rock"


Hey, Hi
It's been a second, but I've found some internets. I want to thank Prescott Arizona's public library for the hostitallity and the ability to connect to the world. I apologize for leaving you all back in Colorado. Yup.
Since Monarch Pass. We've had some firsts and lasts. We apologize for jumping to conclusions Dominos, it was Rocky Mountain Fever, not food poisoning. Our bad. We were fortunate enough to experience first hand the sick taking care of the sick as our team in waves battled a 24 hour flu from Durango, CO to Bluff, UT to Kayenta, AZ. But now, appitites are back and Tums are packed.
We're through the Rockies, onto the the deserts. We've never been hit with rain on this whole trip so the desert was kind enough to grace us with a cool down.
I never thought I'd say rocks are beautiful, but first thoughts often change. Monument valley was incredible. The Grand Canyon, theres not much to say. There really isn't. At my first sight of it my stomach dropped, breath ceased, a realization that words are extremely ineffective, and it became crystal clear that there is not need to talk. The ride through the park along the rim was incredible. Helping others get through the last 26 miles of hilly national park roads by picturing myself as them with an overgrown beard and a big sock to pass energy on made it an extremely enjoyable ride.
Commonplaces of the Canyon and surrounding camp area:
-the word "rim"
-RV America (the best way to travel the US)
-a supermarket general store- the only way to rough it is to buy overpriced dried fruit from a flourescently lit super store
-"I'm not from this country"
-french tents, and eastern mini-vans
-"If your going to buy more than one of those beers from our coolers, I will scan the same one to save at least 2 seconds."
Thats that
One week until we drip Pacific blue and dip our toes into west coast sand. One more mountain range.

Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, July 2, 2011

New Hampshire's State Motto is "Live Free or Die"


Today was easily one of the best rides of the trip. Skimming sides of mountains as we snaked around swift creeks and placid lakes. Yesterday we conquered the Monarch Pass at 11,000+ feet and saw snow for the first time in the summer time. Today was a 92 mile ride through a couple passes and views of peaks upon peaks. Colorado is incredible and I guarantee a return soon. A couple days we did plenty of work in the beautiful town of Bueno Vista and we're anticipating our next build day in Prescott, AZ.
A couple more days in among the peaks till we start cranking through the desert in the early hours of the morning to dodge the heat.
Cheers,
Pat
Pic: Oliver pondering 12,000 feet low