Gearing Up (ha)

So not only am I a complete novice when it comes to biking (frightening, right?), blogging is new to me as well. All of you have had faith in me since I made my decision to do Bike and Build, so I'm confident you'll humor me as I struggle through this, too...hopefully.

Well, after months of fund raising, attempting to learn everything there is to know about cycling and bikes (and getting frustrated over and over again through flat tires and the like), and sporadic training with studying, work, and extracurriculars, the date of Bike and Build orientation approaches. Am I ready? Hard to say. I'm certainly experiencing mixed emotions: scared out of my mind, excited for the adventure of a lifetime, anxious to begin, yet wishing I had more time...I guess I won't know until I leave the Atlantic Ocean if I've actually considered what it's going to be like to spend my summer on a bike.

Since this is my preliminary post, I'll first answer some FAQS:
How many miles a day?

• We start off doing about 40-45 (which I feel confident I could do right now.) 
• We'll eventually get up to about 100-110, but only for a few days (and towards the end of the trip, thank God, and hopefully in Kansas...yay for flat terrain.)
• Our average is about 70-80 miles a day (scary right now, but hopefully I'll be ready as we gradually work up to it.)

Where will we sleep?

• We camp some nights, or sleep on cots/mattresses in churches, YMCAs, etc.

What's the fundraising for?

• The purpose of the trip is to raise money and awareness for affordable housing organizations (COVER, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Tomorrow, etc.) and the affordable housing problem in general.
• Thus, the fund raising money will go directly to building houses, equipment, further advocacy, etc.

Some goals for this summer (in order of importance):

• Survive.
• Discover the best ice cream in America (see Abby Poeske's blog.)
• BUILD SOME HOUSES
• Meet tons of interesting people
• Get sick calves/tan lines.
• Practice my French (I'm hoping there will be SOMEONE else on the trip who's willing to speak with me.)

And now for a thousand thank yous to some special people: all of you who allowed me to EXCEED my $4,000 fund raising goal with your extremely generous donations (I'm crossing my fingers that everyone received my thank-you notes!); my beyond-wonderful roommate Evangeline Mee who accepted me keeping a bike in the center of our already filled-to-capacity dorm room without a word; those of you who not only put up with my complaining and worry, but always LISTENED and offered me constant support (@Zane Goodwin and Abby Poeske); my best friend-who-I-don't-deserve Liz Stark, for allowing me to share pictures of my experiences with all of you!; Back Alley Bikes, Century Cycles, and my dad, Bill Moroney, for helping a total dodo brain figure out how to work her beautiful new bike; and everyone else who gave me encouragement, advice, or simply showed interest in what I was doing this summer. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of you, and I cannot wait to share my experiences with you! Please share this blog with anyone I may have missed!

With much more to come,
Beth