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.


Friday, July 6, 2012

Day 18. Frappuccino's at 107 degrees.

Miles: 81
Weather: 107 with humidity that can't be explained.

"There are never any bad days on Bike & Build, some are just harder then others." That was the start. The day dragged like pulling an Amish carriage. It wasn't till mile 40 that my legs wanted to spin around and around.

Today looked at lot like, hill, corn, soybeans, corn, soybeans, hill, flat, ice, free Frappuccino's, arrival, eat eat eat.

Many oddities on the road today. In the boonies we ran into a Mobile Bike Shop. A man in a pimping van rolled up to us at our lunch shop ready to fix any ailment. Was this happening? Or are we on the movies. Searching desperately for ice to cool down my 107 water we met a gentleman who not only stocked us full of ice that lasted one minute once we stepped out of his AC general store but also donated baggies of dried figs and strawberries. Talking to Amish men about life on the prairie. Passing peach orchards I downed 5 peaches that were graciously handed my way.

Don't have much to say about the heat. It was hot, makes your skin sizzle, but what are you going to do? Onward we go.

Meg, a 23 Vermont transplant, who was the first to bonk from laughter on our trip, is staring her own talk show for us Bike & Builders. Today's podcast, Meg's food corner. The translator will type this one up for tomorrows entry.

Hosted by generous alumni who routed our journey last year, they feasted us with corn and beers.