Scratch that, still hate the hills..

So here I sit in a church in Boonville, NY. I just got in about an hour ago after a long 76 mile ride, I felt horrible the entire time because last night I slept in a tent and didn't get nearly enough sleep.

This past week has been interesting. Since last writing, we left Lebanon NH and went up Bethel Mountain in Vermont, a very easy ride considering it was a damn mountain! There is a picture of my sufferface somewhere that Sean took. Anyway after the awesome descent that followed we made our way to Rochester and found our host. After using the wifi at the cafe I discovered that Pete's Aunt and Uncle lived in this town, not only that.. but they were right across the street from the host! So I took advantage of that and went to meet them and they kindly gave me a shower, which I greatly needed!

We explored town quite extensively and found some neat places for food and drink, then called it a night after going for a walk to the river.

We woke the next day for another mountain pass, this time I was to ride sweep which entails being the last group of people to leave the host, and not passing anyone. Basically it boils down to taking your time and many many rests. Ellen and I left Rochester about an hour after everyone else, and we took it at a very slow pace taking in every detail, we stopped at a local winery for a bit to talk with one of the owners as well as sitting under many shade trees for quite some time. We then made it into The YMCA camp at Silver Bay on Lake George. We were not expecting such a huge place.. we all swam and took showers before heading to dinner where we ate until we could not eat any longer. Then it was off for some basketball/tennis/volleyball for everyone. And we got to sleep in real beds that night!

The following day was our hardest ride to date, it was to Indian Lake NY where we stayed in an RV park. The entire ride was many many steep hills and we had to take a lot of breaks, as soon as we left the camp we had a 4.5 mile climb that took what seemed to be forever, before a nice downhill and more uphills.
We made it in and started grilling food and just enjoying our time outdoors. That night we slept in tents.


Today we rode to Boonville which was not a very hard route, but was difficult because we are all tired and our bodies are sore, it was a struggle for me personally and I wasn't sure how well I'd make it. But in the end I made it with some time to spare.

Here are the rides. Photos can be seen in the right sidebar.

I am starting to get used to these hills

4th day of actually doing Bike & Build is done, and I think I am finally starting to get used to the terrain of New England. Sunday we went to New London and it again was a very hilly day with 1,375 feet of climbing. Then we got to have a very nice dinner and showers in a very huge church. We also spent some time painting the van.

Here is the data:

Monday it was off to Lebanon where we would be spending two days. The ride was not bad and was even fun for a bit. After reaching we went for a great shower with some Foosball and then it was dinner time at another church and off to a movie, Brave, with some other people, and then back to the church for some sleep..

Tuesday we were awoken for a build day, and it was back on the bike with 14 others to head off to Vermont where we spent time building a wheelchair ramp for an elderly lady. We started with nothing and finished the entire ramp with the exception of the handrail. Then it was back to the church for dinner of pulled pork and various pasta salads with applesauce and strawberries and cream for dessert. Then a few of us headed over to the rec center for some time in the hot tub and sauna before coming back to work on the bikes.

Now it is almost time to sleep, tomorrow we climb a mountain with an average grade of 5% ( Alp d'Huez is an average of 7% for those wondering), at the end of a 42 mile ride. It is going to be very hard but very rewarding aswell.

New Hampshire is an evil mistress

Today was the official start of the trip, first we went to the beach for the wheel dip where everyone put their wheel in the ocean during low tide.
After that we started our 60 mile ride to Concord, I rode with Aaron, Sean, and Colin. It was all climbing, insane climbing for a guy from New Jersey.

We were out in front the entire day and actually missed the lunch truck, but we met a nice lady at the top of a Cat 4 climb who gave us some granola bars and water. Then it was off to the descents followed by another long climb and a final long descent.

The ride was real intense and fun. I am glad its behind us, tomorrow is a shorter ride with a more intense set of hills I hear. Oh well, onward!

Here is some data for the ride for those interested.

What I have learned so far

So here it is, the end of the second day of orientation.. I type this as I sit on the cold concrete of a church basement surrounded by 33 bikes, these are the things I have learned:

1. You will spend 90% of the time dancing.

You may even learn how to Dougie.

2. This will be your best friend, and will always be around.

3. Shuttles to the Y for showers will give you more wildlife sightings than a ride through a wildlife preserve.

4. You will sweat all the time, even while not riding.

5. You will forget names once in a while... or quite often.

6. You will never have more fun at any orientation ever. The rest of the summer is looking to be great!


Here are some highlights from the past two days. Wednesday Bri and I rode from Catie's house in Kennebunkport to orientation in Portsmouth. I got sunburned. It was hot and there were more hills than I have ever seen in my life on a bike. But it was an awesome 35 mile ride through beautiful scenery.

We got to orientation and everyone made fast friends, we played some ice breakers as well as some ultimate.

The basement looks like this:

And the ride had some of this in it:

and this

Ferb made his first appearance

Thursday was spent doing some drills, then a shakedown ride, followed by showers.. Then we headed over the ReStore in town for a huge pizzaparty/disco dance off at an old converted roller rink complete with DJ booth. Laser tag games were donated from the awesome arcade next door. Also some hide and go seek as well as capture the flag was done.

Now we are all comfortably back in the church before sleeping, because tomorrow my friends, is a build day. The Saturday is our first ride day.


And before ending this post, here are the garmin analysis of the two rides I have done so far:

Until next time..

And so it...begins

My dad and I arrived in Maine yesterday. On the way up we stopped at the Pez visitor center and had a generally good ride up.

We went to Triple X's house and I got a ride in a cobra reproduction from another brother of the club.

Then we went to sleep after a long night of talking at the table. Woke up this morning and we headed out to Federal Jack's to get some lunch and try the local brews out.

After that we went to get me a haircut, wherein I saw some riders from ME2SB on their first ride day.

Then I headed over to Caitie's house and met up with her and Francis, the first two I'd meet on this long trip. That was followed by a trip to the beach where Francis and I went for a swim (which Caitie has a video of me tripping in the ocean!)

After that Francis decided to dance to Party in the USA

Then we went and picked up Bri and Stella, and went for a driving tour before coming home and going out to the bar (back to Federal Jack's for me!) after Bryn got here.

Now its time to pack it in for the night, tomorrow it really begins.

It can't come soon enough.

So here we are, I leave in 3 days. It's getting to be that time, I pack soon and finish out any remaining things to do before I leave.

First things first, tonight is a show. An awesome show, I am going to see my friend's band, Facekick, open for the legends of ska, The Toasters. I can't wait, I know they can't wait.
A good time is going to be had all around.

Tomorrow, I am going to the brewery for one last fundraising push and to see everyone there one last time before I leave.

Speaking of fundraising, I am $439 away! We can do it!


As far as this past week.. Monday Pete, Nat, and I went to Delaware. We took the bikes on the ferry and rode to Rehoboth beach then came home.

Many photos were taken.

When we got home, there was a dinner waiting for us, cooked by Gloria, Holly, Cassie, and Ami. It was delicious.

It was a turkey burger, with bacon, lettuce, egg, and avocado. Along with seasoned potatoes and quinoa salad.

  

The rest of the week was spent with Shannon, I also got a final true on my wheels and drove upto the Caffeinated Cyclist to get new cleats and a derailleur hanger.

Once again, I leave in 3 days and I am $439 away from my goal! I will be at the brewery tomorrow and I hope to see you there!

Closing in now!

So I leave in exactly 9 days for New Hampshire to start my ride! I am beyond excited, I am finishing up my AH Homework tonight and then its just down to packing and getting that last little bit of cash!

So here are some rides I have done this past week:

Also, some of my photos of the brewery have been posted in the most recent Philadelphia Inquirer, seen here: www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20120608_High_tide_for_beer.html

Other than that, I figured I'd use this post to fill you in on some information.

I will be riding for 10 weeks, I will be taking photos with my phone during the rides, if you want to see those photos, here is where you can do it: http://www.gramfeed.com/kmarrinerjr

My Strava profile where you can see my rides is http://app.strava.com/athletes/108997

You can see a full profile of every ride I have done between January 1 2012 and Sept 1 2012, which will update everyday, here: http://www.jonathanokeeffe.com/strava/map.php?rider=108997&startDate=01/01/2012&endDate=09/01/2012&width=3&opacity=25

I will be posting on this blog as often as I can, retelling stories of the days. 

Thats it, I think. If you still would like to donate money, the only way to do it at this point is online or directly to me, but I prefer online: www.bikeandbuild.org/rider/5565

It has been a while..

Since I last posted its been a few days..Weeks?
Well, since I forgot to write this post incrementally, there will probably be no stories.. Just some info.

First, I did a bunch of rides!

I also took a picture of my cat:

Got new socks:

Cleat covers:

Made hotdogs in a cast iron skillet:

Got new gloves and shoe covers:

Went to the brewery:

Got new tires and waterbottles:

Other than that, I have been shooting a lot of jobs and preparing for this trip!

I only have 17 days until I leave! 

Again, if you need anything from Hammer Nutrition, I get a little bit of product for every new person who uses my link!

www.hammernutrition.com/affiliates/187857

Also, there is still time to donate at www.bikeandbuild.org/rider/5565, please anything helps!