Who is the first B&B route to do three 100 mile rides in 4 days? WE ARE!!!

And it was a little (a lot) painful. But we made it...here is the update from the past few days.

Sunday's LESSON OF THE DAY: It is not wise to let someone give you a paint mustache and soul patch without first checking on the type of paint.

Turns out, it was oil based...not water based so I had to use paint thinner to get it off my face. Whoops! Another day, another knowledge wrinkle in my brain. We had a build in Norcross, GA where 1/2 our group worked with Rebuilding Together on an 89 year old man's house. They repainted and did some roofing work, and then we all met there for lunch and sang him happy birthday. The rest of us stayed at the Boys and Girls Club where we were staying and did work like repainting a railing (where the oil based issue happened), cleaning windows, spreading new mulch and planting a garden. Everyone was very happy to have a break from their bikes, and that evening we were treated to and amazing meal from Bob at Rebuilding Together at a local cafe. They had a huge taco bar set up with a band and we had an awesome sing a long after dinner of old classics. It was a ton of fun, but it was early to bed as our first century ride (100 miles) was the next day!


Monday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I am officially capable of riding 100 miles on a bicycle.

It was hot, it was long, it was VERY HILLY, but I made it! Many thanks to Rachel who had to coax me a bit at mile 90, then it was my turn to coax her at mile 95. It was a real mental challenge to make your body keep going when literally your muscles were jelly. But we all finished (minus a rider who had a little hiccup involving a downhill, a dog and thus an ambulance...don't worry she's fine, just a big 'ole black eye and some scrapes). We spent the night at an amazing church in Heflin, AL and they made us the most delicious meal of southern fried chicken with all the fixin's. I had trouble eating that night because my table was so exhausted and giddy from the ride that the only thing we could do was laugh until we cried. There really was nothing funny, but it was such an awesome night.


Tuesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I am officially capable of riding 100 miles on a bicycle for two consecutive days.

It was even hotter, even hillier, and I literally came close to not finishing but somehow I pulled it together and made it to Birmingham. This day was not fun, I did not enjoy the ride and I missed the second lunch so I pretty much rode from mile 35 to 100 without stopping. This isn't including a couple minor roadside meltdowns...its amazing what yelling on the side of the highway at no one will do for your moral :)


Wednesday's LESSON OF THE DAY: B&B rider alums parents cook great meals.

This was a build day, so after working on two Habitat houses all day, we were all very hungry. The good news is that the parents of a B&B alum found out we were in town and delivered us an amazing meal of polenta casserole, salad and homemade blueberry cobbler. It was amazing.


Thursday's LESSON OF THE DAY: When a local at a coffee shop assures you the route you're planning is going to be "pretty flat" keep in mind that every hill is flat when you're in a car.

So, much to my dismay this ride into Hamilton, AL was yet ANOTHER century ride for our poor group. And although this local assured me it was flat, it was really hilly and it was a struggle for the group. Especially since this was the third hundred mile ride in a row. That's a lot of miles...I was driving the van, and have to admit that I don't know if I would have been up for another hundred miles on the bike. I tried to boost spirits by treating the group to hummus, chips and salsa, and even popsicles at the second lunch! We went around the room that night and did our "highs and lows" of the week and one rider actually said that the popsicles were here high of the week so I think people appreciated them! I felt like Santa handing them out :)


Friday's LESSON OF THE DAY: I love Sonic.

I always see Sonic commercials but I had never been to one. For those of you who don't know, Sonic is an A&W like place where they bring the food to your window, or your bike in my case. We went out of our way to make it to the Sonic after an easy 60 mile day, and it was so worth it. I got a root beer float which I haven't had since high school and it made my day. Tonight we also got a bar & grille to donate dinner for us, just by one of our riders going in and telling them what we're doing. It was really nice, and they had a singer and a piano so we felt very fancy. But them we came back to our Thermarests and sleeping bags on the gym floor and all fancy feeling are now gone... :) Tomorrow is a 5o mile day, what a breeze! We're headed to Oxford, where Ole Miss is located. Should be fun, and we'll actually get in at a reasonable time so we can get some fun time in before our ridiculously early bedtime...

I forgot to say a big THANK YOU to my parents and Alyssa who sent me a packages on our last mail drop! It was great to hear from home and Alyssa's Andes Mint Candy cookies caused quite the stir with the riders. They are pretty pumped that I have a friend who loves to bake :)