One More Day: Ready & Set

Only one more day.  After months of preparation and anticipation, it’s finally here.  And these past few days, it’s all I could think about: I’ve watched several B&B youtube videos (see the end of this post!), biked all around the North Shore (thank you, David Carrozza), started my hunt for the best ice cream in America (kicking off with Cherry Farm and Richardson’s), packed my things into an 18-gallon tub (such a struggle), and watched a documentary on Terry Fox (look him up now for immediate inspiration).   People keep asking me if I’m eager, if I’m nervous, and if I’m ready.  Yes, no, and I very sincerely hope so.  Am I SO SO SO excited? I’m not, but only because I cannot fully fathom how incredible it’s going to be.  I know it’s going to be better than Christmas, and I know it’s going to be better than beating Duke.  But I cannot possibly imagine something that good.



Everything for the summer packed in this bin



For those of you whose ears haven’t been burdened by my Bike & Build chatter, here are answers to my most frequently asked questions:

            -74 days total- 60 bike days, 10 build days, 4 days off.

            -Average 70 miles/day, maximum 106 miles/day, minimum 40 miles/day.

            -A van follows us, carrying our stuff, driven by 1 of the 4 leaders.

-Everything (clothes, sleeping bag, pillow, towel, toiletries, bike parts, etc.) must fit into an 18- gallon storage bin.

-We’ll be staying at churches, campsites, YMCAs, and wherever will put us up.

-Sometimes we get a shower. Sometimes we get a hose. Sometimes we won’t get clean.

-Laundry every 3 days.

-I’m not going to get sick, and I’m not going to get hurt. So that’s a silly question.

In these few weeks that I’ve been home, I’ve become more motivated and passionate about the cause for which I’m cycling.  I volunteered with the North Shore Community Development Coalition (formerly the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition) and also attended their groundbreaking ceremony for the new affordable housing that they’re building at Gloucester Crossing in Beverly.  Furthermore, I interviewed the homeowner of Beverly’s only Habitat for Humanity house.  This homeowner’s openness, warmth, positivity, and absolute success truly inspired me and enforced the fact that good, hardworking people such as her are deserving of decent and affordable homes.

While I’m gone, I’ll try to give you updates as often as I can, but I don’t anticipate that being more than weekly.  There will be only one computer on the trip, so I’ll be relying on public libraries to post my blogs.  There is a sign-up option to receive emails of my posts so you don't need to keep checking the blog- look for it in the right-hand column of this page.  Also, feel free to email me at poeske@email.unc.edu (but again, not sure how often I’ll have internet access) or text me at (978) 857-1113 while I’m gone; I’d love to hear from you! There will also be weekly mail drops (found under “Central US” here if you're feeling extra benevolent/want to drop me a letter or package: http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,347/


Thanks again for making this possible, everyone.  I’ll think of you all with every region, every state, every county, every mile, and every pedal.  And if you’re thinking of me, I’ll be grateful for a quick prayer.  Especially as I’m hittin up them Rockies…


So I guess that’s it.  I’m off! See ya in August, my friends.

Love love love,

Abby

P.S.