Intro

Welcome to a story, or stories I should say. A compilation of adventure tales. An ongoing itch to see, smell, and touch the world, or at least the deserted roads and rarely trampled mountains of America. Characters within the descriptive paragraphs of these stories carve out the coming and going companions in life; vital life people and pieces that parallel a universe for moments, days, years. And then spear off, leaving granules of magnificent memories of magical places. They leave a lasting trace, a gained sense of courage to stand tall on oxygen deprived mountains and shout absurdities like: I love you Ralph! Ralph is a teenage reindeer stuffed of the finest synthetic polyester fiber poof; he says made in Indonesia but really tells me he is from the North Pole. Delivered through a chimney one December night 20 years ago, we instantly became cuddle buddies upon that morning's sunrise. He is the instigator. The inspiration. And the imagination. He breathes creativity. Laughter. His is a dear companion. And yes, at 4lbs he tags along atop a pack or strapped to a rack. In delirium of 107 degree heat, the small possession of material belongings gain a persona. Innate objects become friends of the road and trails. And as for the humans who accompany, their presence reads priceless. Without O'Reilly, a 29 year old New Hampshirian with superior taste buds, the mathematical six foot four inch tall German, or handful of organic peanut butter and 99 cent jam eating munchkins, there would be a lot less excitement. The encounters we make with our specie, encapsulating the world with their awkward ways and over consumerist love, somehow we have managed to become overly adored creatures. Their generous hearts restore a faith that goodness prevails in the upheaval of a sometimes lost humanity. As for myself, I'm just the navigator, paddling up the stream of life munching on Clif Bars, with an iPhone documenting the frailties and goodies underneath all the simplified complexities in the world we reside. So again, I welcome you to get lost and dream a little through this typed text and your imagination. My name is Kristen Gentilucci. I live in Berkeley California and I love dogs.


Saturday, June 30, 2012

Day 12. 100.21

Miles: 100.21
Weather: 95 degrees cloudy and humid
Feet climbed: 4300
Average speed: 15mph
Destination: State College P.A.

The miles are wearing us down. Fresh wild raspberries brightened our eyes and our taste buds. It was mile 40 and hot.

Then we hit the state Forest. Up up up this massive hill we trudged, tired and beat. The beauty was spectacular, but days of miles behind us our had worn our bodies and legs.

My face was radiating heat and then, lake comes to view and we dip in. Refreshed we took off up and down the deserted mountain. Coasting along at 23mph we hit Amish land. It opened its front doors and called our name. Wide open space, there we were on the only sight of civilization, this smooth rolling paved road ahead. Creviced between two deep green mountains, we flew past bright barn houses, clothes lines hung speckled with pastel colors of the rainbow. There passed a horse and buggy, trotting down the hwy. Did we just step back in time? There goes a women tending to her garden in a bonnet. This is spectacular, like a world I didn't know still existed, and in my own country. Town after town we roll through cruising along at a happy 17 mph mile after mile. I think we all forgot how tired we were. The spectrum of all the shades of greens on our left, wheat fields of a golden yellow to our right.

We roll into state college at 99.24 miles. 3 times around the church and we hit 100.21 miles. Over 3/4 of our riders road their first century of their lives and yet exhausted they still rattled their hats as they approached the church for a final extra 3 laps. State College, this town feels much more of the country I know. Yet nestled so close to a far away world that blows my mind it still exists. We toast put beers to a good day and sleep with another near 80 mile day of hills and beauty ahead of us tomorrow.

It all became clear as vast as the high sky was today. If you have a dream live it, you have nothing to lose but regret.