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Published: June 22nd 2018
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So yesterday on our way to the build I had mentioned to the group that if anyone who was in the van was really itching to check the century ride off of their bucket list, that I would be willing to Nav for them since I’ve already “been there, done that.” Noah eagerly took me up on it (even though he said he normally doesn’t do that!) and so I had a day in the van with NJ ahead of me instead—which can be its own adventure in itself!
When I got up and put on normal people clothes, I did indeed find a dead beatle by my pillow—lovelyyy! Not too concerned, I packed up, took my stuff of to the trailer—unsure if chore groups had switched or not (do they switch on Sunday? Monday? What day is it??) and went upstairs to put out breakfast for everyone after confirming we were still on breakfast duty. With some stuff left over from breakfast from yesterday (yes Beth, our future selves did thank us!), we put that all out and of course made a few pots of coffee.
I then continued to help pack my bike into the van and
other things and while doing that, Jess, who was also Naving today for Carly and getting her van ready, said “Happy Father’s Day Rally” to which I responded “yeahh it’s not really a happy day for me...” Though I wasn’t offended, she apologized for “being a jerk” when I knew she was only trying to be kind and it just slipped her mind. She gave me a nice long hug and told me “Well, he did make a pretty awesome daughter!” which made me tear up a little and hug her a little longer. Aiden then saw/heard what was happening, which was lucky considering it was between the two vans and pretty out of site (thankfully), and he gave a nice long and let me cry a little. I was really glad to have them in that moment and be able to have some release for a bit. Digging through the trailer for my bag to grab my necklace, I put it on, and decided to be grateful for the day and to make Dad proud—because I know he would be SO proud....
Finishing getting ready, cranking out some push ups & silong coffee, we waited for Ron, our Program Director who would be joining us as a rider for the next 10 days, and greeted him & his wife & dog and had route meeting. I then helped him unpack his car and pack the trailer as the riders started rolling out for their long 100 mile day. I was grateful to be in the van today with Nora Jane considering what day it was...
We rolled out and drove down Front Street where I pointed out Karen’s Cafe on the corner of Front & Grace and I got all of the feels (yes another One Tree Hill reference—loyal & dedicated guys!)! We drove on and pasted the riders and got on the roads they would be following for a while. We cruised to some soft jams and enjoyed watching the sun come up through the trees as we chatted a bit, snacked a bit, sang a bit, & and listened to the music a bit.
We received a phone call from Aiden that he and Beth crashed after he cross-tired Sarah and they both went down. He led with “Everyone’s okay” which is never good, but also very good at the same time! They had some road rash, but luckily didn’t hit their heads and there were no cars near them when they went down. They rode on and as did we after telling them to kee us posted and to listen to their bodies.
Our road trip continued as we chatted about college, our team, NJ’s personal life. It was nice and I enjoy chatting with her ? We arrived at the host pretty early and since it was Sunday and only 8:30am, we dropped off the trailer and decided to come back later for our tour once church got out. We drove to a local bagel shop where we took a 15 minute snooze in the van before going inside & enjoying a Pork Roll, Egg, & Cheese on an Asiago bagel ? It was the real deal! Iced coffee always helps too!
We then hit up Walgreens (?) where we were able to get Magpie some medication (she was asleep in the van with us this whole time!) and NJ excitedly found some shade clips for her glasses—she was pretty stoked about it! ? They flip up and everything and seriously she’s the only one who could pull it off! We then circled back to go meet up with lunch van so we could pick up Aiden and get him ice and get him home since lunch van had to stop for a second lunch today—90 degrees & over 90 miles! We went back to the host, where we met our host Laura & enjoyed getting a little tour of the space. They had pop & poporn for Pops today at church and they had quite a bit left over so they told us to help ourselves—and help ourselves we did! We moved the trailer, I unpacked it as NJ did the info white board & unhtched it, Aiden & Magpie got their thermarests hard, I chalked a bit for the riders (100 miles is no small feat & deserves all the chalk!), and we grabbed our Cokes and hit the road once more.
We stopped at CVS for Benadryl for Kristie since she had a huge welt on her leg that I marketed for her and was swollen and since she got stung by a bee today. I spoke with the pharmacist about what to do, grabbed NJ Cheetos, and sprang for one of the candy bars Dad has bought me when I was heading to FL for my lacrosse alumni game—I felt like it was a nice way to honor & remember him. I still can’t believe it’s true....
When I told NJ my reasoning for the candy bar, she asked how I was doing with all of it, so I was able to share with her for a bit. She said she knew how hard it can be on Bike & Build to step away and have some time to yourself and grieve properly but to do what I need to do in order to take care of myself. She even had mentioned how this morning she needed to take 10 minutes to herself since she was low on sleep & feared struggling with patience on this long day of people had to get shuttled. She also said that she thought I was dealing with everything with Dad amazingly and that she’s always here to talk if I need a listener. I expressed my appreciation for her and that she was already helping me 😊
We went back out to track the riders, offer candy & water to those who needed it, grab iced tea from lunch van who was rockin’ it (thank you Carlyyyy!), and he’ll escort & encourage the sweep team of Amanda & Raffi! They were so pumped they were able to finish (thankful for a 30 minute grace period to finish—esp since they stopped to wait for Aiden’s group), and so proud as they should be! It was so exiting to see everyone push through this day and accomplish something they never had before & rejoice in their victory! We then had a quick turn around to get to the Y for showers—8 people to shower in 20 minutes before they close! Not a problem at all for this speedy group, we cleaned up and were back to the host in a jiffy!
I tried my hand at DMs in the van and once I got back, but to not much avail given the short notice and weekend evening. I FaceTimed Bri and we were able to catch up, share some tears about Dad, and I pet the cutest pit bull Luny as Bri watched from the other side. Ron decided to buy us all pizza for the night since we didn’t have host dinner & this team of rockstars just biked 100 miles through some hot rural roads so it was pop and pizza for dinner (aka much bloating later!)!
We played a few rounds of Code Names together before the long, exhausting day caught up to us and we started making moves towards bed. Since I didn’t ride in the long, hot sun, I attempted to catch up on this blog & do my town facts for tomorrow (nothing like waiting until the last minute...!) in the cafe area before retiring to my prepared & eagerly awaiting Thermarest. Another solid day of Bike & Build in the books
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