Coast To Coast

I'm not really sure how else to say this but, holy shit. What a fucking summer! 10 weeks ago I left Portland, Maine with 32 strangers to cycle tour (which I'd never done) across a country (which I'd never seen) to support a cause I new nothing about.
I guess when you get to the end you really start to think about the beginning. The uncertainties, the discomfort, the daunting task that stands in front if you. Really the only constant throughout it all were the 32 other people crazy enough to join me. We struggled, we reveled, and we proved to any and all that anything is possible.
It won't be long until the intimate details of each town will begin to fade but there are some things I'll just never forget. I've seen beauty and disgust, tears and laughter (lots and lots if laughter). I've seen what an impact 33 young adventurists can have on a home, a family and each other. I've seen mountains and deserts, oceans and forests. I've seen the toughest people in the country work their asses off to feed their families. I've seen what generosity lies in the most unexpected places. I've seen growth of character, growth of community, and growth of thigh muscles. I've seen the winding roads that make up the circulatory system of this great country. I've seen the heart and soul of America.
Thank you to all who made this journey possible and to those who made it with me. Though this great adventure has since come to a close, I would encourage you all to never stop exploring.

Personal Presents

The rents flew to Santa Barbara to surprise me on my 22nd birthday yesterday and will be joining the revelry today as we roll our bicycles into the Pacific ocean.

Road Humor

Vegas Baby, Vegas

The Bike and Build team took advantage of our one night in Nevada and headed up to sin city for a night of revelry.
We put 27 people in a 25 seat bus and sang our way up to Vegas. Upon arrival, we fell asleep. The thing about bike and builders is that we are not that interested in big cities and large crowds of people. Having to walk anywhere seems wildly inefficient when we know a bike would have gotten us there in half the time. Most of us are broke and if we weren't before, we are now. We look like a bunch of losers with the most juxtaposed tan lines on the planet. But most of all, we can sleep anywhere. Lawns, driveways, sidewalks, gas station floors, you name it we've probably napped on it.
So here we are in arguably the most entertaining city in the country and we are just so exhausted and so uninterested in what was going on that we take naps in restaurants, lobby floors, and even at the slot machines.
What really got us jazzed however, was the epic day to follow.
Our bus got back to the host at 1:30. Wake up was at 5 a.m. Morning coffee was a must to shake the hangover. We loaded up on sunscreen and water and embarked on a 103 mile day through the Mojave Desert to get to Baker, California. That's right, California, our 19th and final state of the journey. A beginning to and end if you will.
This is how I know the Maine to Santa Barbara crew is a bunch of crazy people. We party on the way to Vegas, catch z's while we're there, and wake up on 4 hours of sleep to bike 100 miles through the 113 degree desert on what we deemed, "The most poorly paved road in America," for no better reason other than the fact that we are willing and able.
This is our idea of a good time. This is our Vegas.

Turn Left

I can't smell the salt air quite yet but I'm starting to get the impression that we are pretty close to Cali.

Good Words & Grand Canyons

Word of mouth is more powerful than most people can imagine. People tend to trust what their peers say even if they don't share the same interests or beliefs.
Ive only ever heard what a sight the grand canyon is but perhaps I was a bit skeptical as to how "grand" a crevice in Arizona could really be. I suppose I'll contribute to preexisting word of mouth chatter and reinforce the statement that the grand canyon is indeed "grand." In fact, it's marvelous.
I would stare out into the depths of the canyon and try to understand what I was looking at. I closed my eyes as if to refocus my depth perception of what was in front of me but the same amazement took over when I reopened my eyes. Even after a 12 mile hike to Plateau Point overlooking the Colorado River I still felt a bit overwhelmed at where I was in the world.
I've come to realize that word of mouth is a very solid reason to take part in something. Bike and Build, for instance, attracted me because I had heard so many good things about it. Anybody who knew anybody that did B&B had something good to say about what an adventure it was and how life changing it had been. What it really boils down to is the question, "do I have faith in a strangers opinion? My answer appears to be "yes." it's not to say that I am a follower or that I'm ignorant to believe that strangers know what's best for me. More simply it is the reasoning, marvelous attractions evokes marvelous feedback.

Climbing the Flagstaff

It took us 11 hours to ride 34 miles from Sedona to Flagstaff. The 2500 ft. verticals climb through narrow, winding, switchback roads wasn't really that time consuming. Honestly, it was just so beautiful that we took our sweet ass time.
At mile 5 we found Oak Creek Canyon which looks back on the cozy city of Sedona, nuzzled into the towering red rocks. Some swam, some explored, others say quietly in awe. At mile 18 we invited ourselves into Slide Rock Park to jump off 40ft. Cliffs and glide down weathered stretches of mossy rocks and gentle streams.
Lunch was at a scenic outlook which you can imagine didn't hurry anyone along. We scored free subs and pizza when we got into town and eventually connected with the entire team to form the B&B super group in honor of our departing teammate Nick Audette. Nick is doing what no Bike and Builder Is capable of. Nick is making responsible life choices and will be in attendance at his grad school orientation at Carnegie Melon. We wish you well Nick. The roads between Flagstaff and Santa Barbara will remain intact for years to come. I know you will finish what you started.
We head to the Grand Canyon tomorrow to pitch tents and sleep under the stars. If the posts go unattended for a few days may I apologize in advance for poor cell phone service. Even if I do have cell phone service, I plan on being to involved in my expedition to update my blog. Besides, I'm trying to keep light pollution to a minimum.