Window Installation

On Saturday morning I returned to the same Habitat for Humanity build site that I worked on a couple of weeks ago to complete my sweat equity. It was nice to work under the same supervisor, as he already knew our skills and abilities. Plus, I got to know him a little more. We worked hard to four hours installing windows into the house. I was super excited because I'd never installed windows and it was fun to learn. There are many detailed steps, but it's actually simple and quite an enjoyable task. Habitat's standards for windows are far above normal starter homes; they install trays at the bottom of each window to catch and divert leaks and tape every side of the window twice.

Here I am getting ready to tape the edge of this window with the father, Jay, of the family whose house we're building.

My team for the day!

I really enjoy building alongside the family members who are receiving this home. I got to know Jay and found out that he is from Senegal and attended a French school because of French colonization. We were also building with another couple who was doing sweat equity for there Habitat home that was going to start construction in early July. They were both from Somalia and spoke hardly any english, although they've been here for eight years. Columbus has such great ethnic diversity...in that one day of building the U.S., Senegal, Somalia, and Eritrea were represented. 

The Suburban Wilderness

Today as I was biking around the loop in the nature preserve near my house, I encountered some incredible and surprising wild life. There is yet to be a day when I ride through there that I don't see a rabbit or deer...or tons of cardinals and red-winged blackbirds. This afternoon was a different experience though. At the beginning of the loop I came around a corner and there was a HUGE bird crossing the path, it took me by surprise (I was worried I might hit it). I later realized it was a wild turkey, though it looked quite different from the ones we have in Southern Ohio. I didn't notice if it had a gobble or not.

The best part of the ride was when I came to the top of a climb and thought I saw a dead animal on the side of the bike path. It turned out to be an owl sitting on the ground with its wings spread completely out. I was amazed; the wingspan was huge! It watched me as I passed and turned it's head all the way around...it was unbelievable to be that close to an owl. After talking to my dad about it, we decided it was a barred owl (pictured below). Our guess is that is was probably guarding food on the ground, though it was strange to see a nocturnal animal is broad daylight.

In other news, I learned how to change my tires on the bike. Now I have great durable tires to biking thousands of miles. I also figured out how my new bike pump works and how to clean my gears and chain. At the end of the work session I was thoroughly covered in grime...just how it should be.

I've got three more days until I depart for New Hampshire and things are a little hectic. I have spent the past week moving out of my house, back to my parent's house where my stuff will live this summer. On top of that I've been packing for the trip, biking more, and doing my sweat equity with Habitat. I look forward to the simplicity of my routine this summer.

66 miler

As part of our training for this summer, we must ride one 65 mile route to practice long distances. Though I have always loved biking, 30 miles was usually more normal and realistic. That being said this long 66 mile ride was a great experience. I had some frustration with my seat and numbness because of poor posture but I pushed through it. I have since adjusted my seat to ensure good posture and a pain-free ride. The long mileage is still daunting to me, but it is my no means a race. Frequent stops, lots of water and snacks, and great company will get me through each day. I actually sort of find it amazing how your body can keeping pushing itself when it gets tired. I'll be counting on that.

I want to keep everyone updated this summer and I move across the country and so I'm bringing my iPod to blog on. If it's not blaringly obvious by this short post, I am testing out the iPod now. It works great but takes patience. And...don't worry about pics, I will be downloading them from dropbox so you can share in the scenery of this beautiful country!

Sweat Equity

As part of my preparation for Bike and Build, I must complete 10 hours of sweat equity work with a local affordable housing group. I have worked with Habitat for Humanity a lot in the past, from traveling to El Salvador with a team to participating in builds through AmeriCorps. However, I haven't built recently, so yesterday I joined a build in Columbus. Dave, our supervisor, was tons of fun and we had a great day. I worked on preparing the front of the house to put up the trusses for the porch roof. 

It was very important that the 2X4 supports we were putting up where exactly level. After doing it incorrectly the first time, Dave showed us a great way to ensure they were level. The problem was that the boards were very warped. I marked a straight line across the wall and then as we nailed it in, we pulled down the board on the other side to hold it in line.

This is Jay, the father of the family who is receiving this house. He has two young boys and three older girls (maybe 9, 12, and 14 years old). Jay told us that he loves the process of construction. I think Habitat is so wonderful, because the families are a part of the building process.

The whole team!

For my final couple of hours, I want to continue building on the same site.

A Sense of Confidence

I am now a full member of society (as they said at graduation on Sunday). I'm now fully engaged in preparations for my coming adventure.

I can proudly say that I have reached a new level of confidence. I have been rightly concerned about my trip across the country, until very recently. While there is of course still a tinge of nervousness, it is accompanied by great confidence. I have yet to embark on my 65-miler, but I have had some AMAZING shorter rides around town. Most recently, I have been loving the 3.8 mile loop around a nature preserve near my house. It's packed full of hills, gradual inclines, and flat streaks, which is great for training! I also have yet to go there without seeing wildlife, which always makes my day. A couple loops around is perfect ride in the morning.

On another note...I'm in love with my wonderful bike! I've been riding it for several weeks now and it feels great. I plan on taking it to my local bike shop to get it more accurately fitted, but so far it is great. And it's RED! I couldn't ask for more in a bike.

Soon to come: my packing list! (the most fun part of the trip :))

Nerves and Preparations

I have just about passed the 300 mark on mileage and while I'm well on my way towards 500, I do feel the nerves of the trip creeping up. I am pushing to get my speed increased, which has been frustrating. Once the trip begins we will all fall into a good rhythm I'm sure. The sheer magnitude of the trip is beginning to daunt me slightly. I know the team of 30+ people will all help to keep everybody going each day. I woke up this morning, sleep and bleary eyed, wondering how I could possibly get on a bike at this hour. After breakfast and packing, our bodies will surely warm up to the idea of pedaling all day. The first week will be a new experience.

I finally assembled my bike and love it! Bright red! My favorite! I started with a good 40 mile ride, which felt very good on the new bike. I am going to take it to a bike shop to get it more fitted to my body. Hopefully they can figure out a way to tilt the seat forward. I'm still trying to figure out how I will actually bike a whopping 65 miles. I know my body will hold up, but will my mind? I am still working on my mental ability to keep riding when my legs get tired. Fatigue definitely comes in waves and so it's all about pushing through until that next burst of energy.

I am compiling all of my gear and almost have everything I need. The bag is still in the works. I am leaning towards a big duffel bag. My final pair of bike shorts came in the mail yesterday and I'm set for jerseys. Unfortunately, my bike computer was smashed, so I will need to invest in another. I can't decide if I want to go wireless or not. My last one was wireless, but it was sometimes pretty touchy.

School is over, which is an amazing relief. I've been in school since 1995, when I started as a kindergardener. I have one final test and then it's over. The next month will be devoted to biking...everyday if I can, as far as I can. One thing I'm looking forward to this summer is the change of scene everyday. I'm so sick of the same routes and same bike path that I've been training on. Now that I have more time to bike, I will try to get out of the city and ride through the farmlands of Ohio.

I've got under 40 days to get it together. I think can do it, like the little engine that could.

Hills and training

Brief update: It's April now and I have a good 100 miles under my belt. Not great, but it's something. Being in my last semester of college I don't have significant bouts of free time during the week. I'm not worried about training, though, as I have a solid 200-mile round trip planned for June.  My boyfriend and I will bike from Columbus to Athens, hang out for the weekend, and bike back after a couple day. This will be the optimal time to get used to all my fun gear! Speaking of which, I just tried out my new leg warmers and rain jacket and they're AWESOME. I am totally prepared for any weather that chooses to grace us along the way...snow...rain...you name it.

Hills are proving to be a beast for me. I always make it up, though quite slowly. I will continue working on this particularly fun aspect of biking with some awesome routes out in the countryside. Essentially you ride in a river valley and every time you come to a connecting road, you bike up it...then back down and onward to the next one! It should be a a great time :)