I can't believe this adventure has finished. Wow. Those 70 days flew by. I still remember standing behind the front desk at PF and telling people I was about to bike across the country. Now I can say that I've biked across the country. I've always wanted to cycle from state to state (yes, despite harboring a strong dislike for the outdoors), and this was a nice way to get a taste of what I hope to do one day (go to each state on a bicycle).
This trip was stuffed with lots of laughs. It was peppered with a few bad days too, but still garnished with majestic sights. Overall my body responded well to the trip, though I think I broke my toe in Iowa and my saddle sores are growling something fierce. I look back and think wow, the first time I rode a road bike was in March, now I've pedaled across the country to benefit affordable housing.
It's easy to put the reason for Bike & Build on the back burner (Killer's song reference!), but I hope we never forget that we did this ride to help families find affordable places to live. I didn't see a ton, but I saw a few homeless people along the way and though, I'm doing this for you. We haven't seen a ton of the families that will receive the Habitat homes we built in, but we were blessed enough to meet one family in Iowa. I remember looking at the smile on their youngest daughter's face and thinking, "Bike and Build helped put that there."
We did the last ride and had our wheel dip and it was a great time. Didn't think I would jump into the water but I did. Felt good to make without having to ride in the van the entire trip. Was attached to my bike for every mile!
Spending time with my brother in Seattle was awesome. Haven't seen him in over 2 years, and it was good to finally catch up. Nice to finally meet my niece!! Baby Jaida is so cute.
I didn't get to capture every moment on film, but I did take well over 2500 pictures. I didn't get to jot down everything that happened, but I did write well over 100 pages in a journal. I didn't get to share in every laugh on this trip, but boy oh boy did I enjoy myself. On the eve of what was projected to be our longest day, I felt a little intimidated. As this feeling's claws squeezed around my spine, I kept reminding myself of how awesome everyone had been so far on the trip, and this little speech came to mind (I wanted to read it off as a pump up the day off, but I forgot I had a presentation to give so that happened instead). I thought it accurately sums up some of what B&B is all about:
Today shall be the true test of our trip. A test of might and miles, of heart and determination, and of
function and muscles. Our aggregate days and miles of riding must culminate a strength for the ages. We
must take this strength and cultivate it until it transforms us into our ultimate. We are P2S13. Yes, we
have faced challenges, but what did we do? Yes we have had injuries, but what did we do? Yes we had
broken bikes, but what oh what did we do? We kept on pedaling. We pushed one foot down and pulled
up the other. We didn't stop before and we won't stop now. Why? Because we are what greatness is,
even on our bad days.
I serve a God greater than all the things this world has to offer. I serve a God that created the mountains
and the volcanoes and the earthquakes. If he is for me, can a mountain and some miles be against me? I
can and will do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
So the trip is over and my butt is healing. I can't believe how much fun this summer was, and it's even harder to believe that it's all over now. I guess the only thing I can do is keep on pedaling forward and pray the next adventure is half as wonderful as Bike and Build. Welp, thanks for listening with your eyes. See you around.
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