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.


Monday, August 27, 2012

Day 69. The End

4000 miles. It didn't seem real. Beside the minor fiasco with 60 parents calling us frantically at mile 35, 1/2 at the trailer, the other half 3 miles down the beach, both groups begging us to come to each of their locations. 20 phone calls later we calmed everyone down, waited a good hour and let them reconvene by buggy. Thinking that the world would end by the tone of their desperate voices, we patiently waited in hangery state (a famished state of hungry that leads to anger). Despite this, it was the last 5 miles and they were pure glory, it was finally happening. The heard packed together, rode in singing our theme song, screaming bike and build, reality had offically set in. Onto the bike path to the beach we rode right by all the excited parents. They were on hug timeout till our trip came to fruition. Storming the ocean like a heard of wolfs hunting down a feast for a dinner, we ran full force into the freezing saltwater. It was a feeling that could not be described, kind of like the whole world of Bike & Build itself. And that was that. 10 weeks, 32 new family members, 4000 miles, a restored love for our country, it was all over.

After 15 bottles of a champagne celebration, we headed to our last home up one last huge hill, probably the steepest we hit thus far. A fistful of farewells, tears flowed, hearts saddened, this adventure was complete.

Oh the places we go, as Dr. Suess would say. My last speech to our riders no longer was one of the details of the day, but inspiring words to take into the future, to never give up on dreams, to work to lend a hand when needed, and to love life fully and never stop laughing. Luckily the west coast, despite it's awful CA entry had impressioned riders for the best. And so, now 7 soul searching youngsters are moving to San Francisco and thus pack rejoins with force in days and months to come.

On a final note, a review of the best and worst of a bicycle and our country.

Best Tires: Gaterskin Hardshell, although some will argue armadillos
Best sunscreen: Surfing sunscreen made with zinc. My lack of tan lines are proof.
Most flats: 41 by Adam
Least number of flats: 1 by miraculous Meg
Longest day: 109 miles
Hottest day: 118 with heat index
Favorite State: close tie, but probably Arizona
Worst state: New York by far
Worst drivers: Arizona
Worst paved roads: Massachusetts California and Texas
Most hills: new Mexico
Flattest: Texas
Coldest: Maine
Most weight lost: 35lbs
Most weight gained: thanks to all the cookies. 12lb
Average hours of sleep: 5
Average hours on the bike: 9
Number of build days: 13
Total amount raised: $165,000
Most generous host: Friona Texas
Number of states crossed: 19
Longest day on the bike: 15 hours

Thank you all for reaching you hands out to us and supporting us through thick and thin, rain storm and drough.

Ciao till the next big adventure life takes you in.


Thank you for reading, and sticking with all my typos and word messes. After 69 blog posts types solely on an iPhone I can proudly say, I am a good typer now. Thank you for all your support and helping our cause, and reading the blog so each night laying on a sleeping bag exhausted, i had a reason to write. And never stop dreaming and laughing and loving.

Ciao till the next big adventure
-Kristen Gentilucci


Our amazing leader crew. Collin, Me, Morgan, and Scotty in our one and only photo together.