Real.

From my last post... please visit http://trackmytour.com/HPjbm#164733 for more about my adventures.

Real Uncertain

It all started in Providence in June. We arrived, bags too full, nervous, curious smiles pasted on, ready to take on whatever laid ahead. We started name games, hot seat, and made a few good close friends. Little did we know, 10 short weeks later we’d be more like a family.

Real Rainy

I’m not sure when it started… the rain, that is. Maybe it was Danbury. The clouds formed and we were raining and climbing mountains, for what seemed like what would be the entire summer. We were slipping, sliding, taking shelter, and wringing out our jerseys.

Real Hot

We quickly realized that the rain would not last. By the time we were making our way through the Midwest we were bombarded with over 100 degree temperatures every day, including our 117 miles in 117 degrees. We started stopping under every tree we could find, hydrating like never before, and supporting each other, like it’s the only thing that mattered… even if just to eat a PB&J.

Real Fun

By the time we made our way to the geographical center of the U.S. we had had our share of build days and our one day off. We were really experiencing the ups and downs together. We had our share of nights out, telling stories and experiencing local treats. You all are so fun. I’ve had a blast with you and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much in my life.

Real Rocky

We conquered Colorado. We had all been anticipating it. It was instantly beautiful, green, and luscious. It was awesome to have been met with and been a part of so many tunnels at the tops of tough climbs. It’s all about teamwork, and I’m glad you’re my team.

Real Desertlike

The desert. It’s flat, it’s long, it plays tricks on your mind, and it requires airing out. Our stretch through the desert was as tough as any, and is truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced before: seeing 25 miles down the road, storms rolling in and out, one tree a day, if we’re lucky.

Real Lucky

We made it out of the desert, through Nevada on the loneliest road, to arrive in California as a team. We are so lucky to have each other. We are so lucky to have been supported by so many people along the way, hosts and strangers alike.

Real Good Times

Looking back, I doubt I’ll remember anything but the awe I feel right now. Sure, we had our share of struggles to find our morning routine, especially our bathroom schedule, and learning how to collaborate as a team on and off the route. But we’re all the stronger for it. We’ve come so far, TOGETHER. We’ve helped each other through laughs and cries, through sweat and blood, through tough days and cooler food. We made it here. Together. Each day has been a new adventure, a new challenge, and I feel proud to have done it with each one of you.

Real uncertain. Real rainy. Real hot. Real fun. Real rocky. Real desertlike. Real lucky. Real good times.

I love you guys.

B & B begins today!!

Here I go! I plan to update this map close to daily, http://trackmytour.com/HPjbm, capitalization matters so copy/paste!

If you need to reach me, please call or text me, (858) 243-5636. Love!

One week till launch!

Hi everyone! Time is ticking... graduation happened and the next thing is to make my way to Providence! I'll be headed there on Tuesday, the 5th, and our orientation begins on Thursday, the 7th.

I'm on track for training. I would have liked to have gotten more miles in during April when the frisbee season was keeping me off of my bike, but so it goes! I've ridden ~460mi on my bike (name pending) and will have no trouble reaching the minimum 500 before the start of the trip. Yesterday, I did my first 65mi ride, a little late, but done nonetheless. 

I'm feeling good, nervous, and excited! Let the riding begin!

I've posted a list of the cities I'll be going through during the ride with hopes that you'll let me know if I'm passing through a place where you'll be! Additionally, if you have any suggestions of ice cream shops, lakes, or other landmarks not to be missed, please let me know so I can be sure to stop and share with the group! Lastly, there's a list of mail drops, where we'll be able to get letters and other packages. If you'd like to send something, please do!, and be sure it arrives before the posted date.

Thanks for all of the support and encouragement thus far! I'm lucky to have all of you!

Perhaps most importantly, I'm going to have a website that is updated regularly on my whereabouts. Feel free to save this link and check in periodically! http://trackmytour.com/HPjbm

Here is my itinerary:

Date	City - State	Mi.
06/7	Providence - RI	0
06/8	Providence - RI	0
06/9	BUILD DAY	0
06/10	Plainfield - CT	37
06/11	Middletown - CT	48
06/12	Danbury - CT	65
06/13	BUILD DAY	0
06/14	Middletown - NY	79
06/15	Stroudsburg - PA	57
06/16	BUILD DAY	0
06/17	Schuylkill Haven - PA	64
06/18	Harrisburg - PA	45
06/19	Chambersburg - PA	55
06/20	Hancock - MD	41
06/21	Cumberland - MD	40
06/22	Parsons - WV	89
06/23	Weston - WV	60
06/24	Marietta - OH	85
06/25	Wellston - OH	80
06/26	Huntington - WV	56
06/27	BUILD DAY	0
06/28	Paris - KY	117
06/29	Louisville - KY	72
06/30	DAY OFF	0
07/1	Bedford - IN	73
07/2	Linton - IN	46
07/3	Effingham - IL	83
07/4	Springfield - IL	91
07/5	BUILD DAY	0
07/6	Pittsfield - IL	67
07/7	Hannibal - MO	40
07/8	Moberly - MO	70
07/9	Richmond - MO	92
07/10	Lawrence - KS	92
07/11	BUILD DAY	0
07/12	BUILD DAY	0
07/13	Manhattan - KS	79
07/14	Beloit - KS	100
07/15	Red Cloud - NE	66
07/16	Alma - NE	45
07/17	McCook - NE	75
07/18	Holyoke - CO	98
07/19	Fort Morgan - CO	94
07/20	Loveland - CO	77
07/21	BUILD DAY	0
07/22	Estes Park - CO	27
07/23	Granby - CO	65
07/24	Breckenridge - CO	81
07/25	Salida - CO	88
07/26	Gunnison - CO	65
07/27	Montrose - CO	66
07/28	Naturita - CO	87
07/29	Moab - UT	83
07/30	BUILD DAY	0
07/31	DAY OFF	0
08/1	Green River - UT	57
08/2	Capitol Reef National Park - UT	92
08/3	Otter Creek State Park - UT	80
08/4	Milford - UT	74
08/5	Baker - NV	82
08/6	Ely - NV	62
08/7	Eureka - NV	73
08/8	Austin - NV	66
08/9	Fallon - NV	110
08/10	Sparks - NV	67
08/11	BUILD DAY	0
08/12	South Lake Tahoe - CA	60
08/13	DAY OFF	0
08/14	Jackson - CA	90
08/15	Stockton - CA	45
08/16	BUILD DAY	0
08/17	Palo Alto - CA	81
08/18	Half Moon Bay - CA	24
Total Mileage: 4003 About sending mail: Bike & Build groups will receive mail approximately once a week while on the road, and welcome letters and packages from friends, family, and supporters. Mail will be delivered through USPS General Delivery. Please be sure to send mail in ample time to arrive prior to the pick-up date and only through the United States Postal Service (The Post Office will not accept mail from any other carrier). Address mail to: Bike & Build Attn: CYCLIST NAME General Delivery STREET ADDRESS (if noted) CITY, ST ZIP Please mark the envelope or package with "Please hold for pick-up on DATE." Late mail will be forwarded to the mail drop two weeks ahead. Late mail from the last two mail drops will be returned to sender. The dates: Prov. to California June 14 40 Fulton St. Middletown,NY 10940 June 21 215 Park St. Cumberland, MD 21502-9998 June 28 201 W 8th St. Paris, KY 40361-9998 July 05 2105 E Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703 July 13 500 Leavenworth St. Manhattan, KS 66502-9998 July 19 300 State St. Fort Morgan,CO 80701-9998 *Do not send to this address before June 1st July 26 200 N Wisconsin St. Gunnison, CO 81230 August 01 20 E Main St. Green River,UT 84525 August 09 120 N Maine St. Fallon,NV 89406 August 13 1046 Al Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 *Do not send to this address before July 13th

T-minus one month

So here we are only a month away from the start of Bike & Build! Our frisbee season ended last weekend so now I can commit my time to bike training! As you'll see in the picture below, this past week I completed my first hundred miles on my bike (name TBD). I'm having a blast riding and am looking forward to many many hundred more.

As for fundraising, I have surpassed our minimum required! Thank you everyone for your kind words and both emotional and financial support. It really makes a difference and motivates me every mile of the way!

Stay posted for more updates.

Our first 100 miles together!

Wow! Thank you everyone for your support!

Fundraising update!

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed so far! I really appreciate your support! I've been thinking of you and the huge impact we're having :)

About affordable housing...

Something you should know about housing in the United States:

There is not a state in the country where the two-bedroom fair market rent is affordable to someone earning minimum wage. Further, there is not a single county where the full-time minimum wage can cover a two-bedroom apartment.

The hourly wage a household must earn (working 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks/year) to afford the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at 30% of income (click image to enlarge)

The number of jobs (40 hrs/week, 52 wks/yr) per household at prevailing minimum wage needed to afford the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at 30% of income (click image to enlarge)

This outrageous, unsustainable, and we need to do something about it!

Let the training begin!

My bike arrived this week! It came in a few pieces that I put together. I then spent a few hours attaching all of the fun accessories, and finally, today, took my first ride on it! It was a solid 14 miles down the bike path to Elyria. Jackie was kind of enough to accompany me and we had a great time!

Many more wonderful rides to come! I hope to continue my training short, hour-long rides about 3-4 times per week over the next couple weeks, then I'll increase my distance.

Fundraising update: $1,838.48. Thanks for all of the support thus far! Every donation will really make a huge impact and directly assist affordable housing efforts. Please continue to support this important part of our country at this time! It's easy to make a tax-deductible contribution at bikeandbuild.org

Right out of the box

All put together!

Right before my first of many rides!