Monday, June 30, 2014

Day 17: Carbondale, IL to Topeka, KS- DON'T JUDGE US!!!!

Well, today we covered 430 miles, but not by bike. We rented a car! Yikes! But before you judge us, here is an explanation.

1. We are behind schedule by 3 days already
2. There are tornadoes where we should be riding, and that scares me!!!!
3. This saves us some money
4. The Ozark Mountains in Missouri are a hard mountain range that we don't really want to climb after a really tough time in the Appalachian Mountains

So please don't judge us! You can only judge us if you have done better than 2,000 miles in 7 weeks. If so, go right ahead and talk some trash. :)

But we do have our next state picture, but kinda lame from the car:

Shout out to Jennifer!!!! She is such a beast and doing a great job on the bike. Thank you my love for walking alongside me in order to complete this dream of mine. I PROMISE you can pick the vacation next summer. :)

Day 16: Harrisburg, IL to Carbondale, IL- 40 miles

We pushed hard yesterday so that today would be an easier day. All flat and only 40 miles, ended with a nice hotel and Buffalo Wild Wings!!!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Day 15: Sebree, KY to Harrisburg, IL-67 miles

We are finally out of Kentucky!!! Yay!!! We had a long day, but now we are eating Italian food and all is well.
We crossed the Ohio River and Jennifer tried to get a picture crossing the bridge.
So tired!!! Off to bed and sleeping in. Tomorrow will be a shorter day, so a later start won't set us back too much.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Day 14: Rough River, KY to Sebree, KY- 75 miles

Our biggest mileage yet in one day!! Tiring, but feeling accomplished.

We are staying at First Baptist Church Sebree and these folks are AWESOME!!! They are so welcoming and have so many things available for us! To quote the pastor, "God has been good to us and this is what we can do to help others." Amen Pastor John, Amen.
They cooked us cyclists a hot meal and had great conversation around the dinner table. My favorite part was hearing the pastor's wife tell her life story. She had a hard life, but God really made the greatest and best difference for her. They wanted to be missionaries, but their health would not allow them to go. Little did they know that the house they bought was right on route of the TransAm Bike Route and that they would have THOUSANDS of cyclists eventually coming to THEM! They didn't even need to go be missionaries somewhere else. They already were, right where God placed them.
A map of all the cyclists that have come through the church so far this year.

Shout out to retired Sherriff Doolin for hooking me up with a Sheep Sandwich. Good stuff Sherriff! He made lunch for both of us on the house!
I support Traci Beatty for Ohio County Sherriff. (Doolin's Nephew)
Well, we are riding off into the sunset. Until next time...




Day 13: Hodgenville, KY to Rough River Dam State Park- 56 miles

Today was a great day! After having a very hard day yesterday on our anniversary, today was a great encouragement! 

We woke up early and left our little park, home for 12 hours.

We finally saw REAL LIFE AMISH folks. This was one of the things I have been waiting for! And I don't feel bad about saying this online because they will never read it! :) 

Lastly, we passed through a time zone. Jennifer was living in one spot at two different times for a bit and was super excited, just like a little girl! It was great to watch it unfold and answer all her questions. 

For example:
Jen: What do people do if they live in between time zones? Do they wake up, eat breakfast, then go back to bed?
Me: Yep!
Jen: Are they ever late to meetings at work?
Me: Are they ever early?
Jen: Do you think teenagers get in trouble for breaking their curfew?
Me: Hmmm.......

Today's Conversation:

Jen: Do Amish buggies have headlights?
Me: No Jennifer, they are Amish. 
Jen: Then why does that buggy have headlights?
Me: Becasue there is a car behind the buggy. And he is probably pissed he is stuck behind this Amish dude driving a horse to the mall.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Day 12: Harrodsburg, KY to Hodgenville, KY- 66 miles

Our longest day yet of riding. Happy 3 year anniversary Jennifer! Sorry it sucked!

"Mrs. Lincoln, can Abe come out and play?"
We rode by Abe's childhood home. 

We also saw a lot of tobacco fields along the way today. Very pretty pre-cigarette, nasty looking post-cigarette.


Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Day 11: Berea, KY to Harrodsburg, KY- 52 miles

We left Berea this morning after a nice rest day. What a beautiful town! It is here where we finally saw African Americans!!! Thanks Berea!
We were greeted today at the finish line with a nice water park where we went swimming. What a great way to end a long riding day!

Monday, June 23, 2014

Day 10: Rest Day in Berea, KY

Good to have a rest day. No riding! We went to Wal Mart, did laundry, and got Jen's bike fixed. Thanks Noah for the new derailler cable!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Day 9: Booneville, KY to Berea, KY- 50 miles

We are officially out of the Appalachian Mountains!!! We will not miss your crazy hills!
As we entered town, we met the nicest couple who invited us over for dinner! We ate with their entire family who were all so GREAT!!! After a really hard and tiring week, it was such a blessing to meet this family and sit around a dinner table to share conversation. Thank you Poulette Family! You truly were a HUGE encouragement. The love of Christ is so evident within you.
They also sang me Happy Birthday!!! :) 

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Day 8: Buckhorn, KY to Booneville, KY- 30 miles

Shorter day today, but we needed a break and there was no place to stay in between travel days. So we got into town early and had a little bit of a relaxed afternoon.
Lots of climbing, but we finally made it to the top!!!

Friday, June 20, 2014

Day 7: Hindman, KY to Buckhorn, KY- 45 miles

Shorter day than planned, but last night we could not sleep, so it caught up with us today. Dang raccoon outside the tent keeping us up! 

We also hit some bad weather so got delayed a while for it to blow over.

But alas, back to the life of a tourer: watching the weather channel while eating pizza!

Day 6: Lookout, KY to Hindman, KY-48 miles

It was a hot day, but we made it! The hostel where we stayed at had great food- we definitely ate it all!
And ice cream for dessert!


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Day 5: Council, VA to Lookout, KY- 47 miles

Last night we slept on top of a playground structure which was more like a full on house with upstairs patio! The recreation park had all brand new play equipment: very nice!

We made it to our 2nd state: KENTUCKY!!!!
We are now at Fredda Harris Baptist Church and it is wonderful! Free place to stay, shower, open food pantry for us to grab anything needed, open kitchen to cook in, and some great people with great stories! Thanks Greg and Alice for opening up!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Day 4: Damascus, VA to Council, VA- 52 miles

Conversation of the day:

Jen: Am I the first black woman to ride across America?
Me: Um...no.
Jen: Am I the first black woman who is 27 years old to ride across America?
Me: still no.
Jen: Am I the first black woman who is 27 from Fresno to ride across?
Me: Probably not, but who knows?
Jen: What about the first black woman who is 27 from Fresno married to a skinny ass white man?
Me: Yup!

Great conversations to get us through all the climbing today!
We met some great people and had some great views AFTER climbing of course!
And the best view for me!



Monday, June 16, 2014

Day 3: Rural Retreat, VA to Damascus, VA- 48 miles

Less miles today than anticipated, but we were tired!!!!! It's hard getting into the groove of riding everyday...and so many hills in the Appalachian mountains!!!

Nonetheless, we are now at a beautiful inn, laundry being done, and bellies full!

Day 2: Radford VA to Rural Retreat VA- 62 miles

Dear Dog,

Please don't chase me again. I felt bad spraying you with pepper spray, but not gonna lie, it was pretty fun (my apologies animal lovers, gotta save the wife!) That dog had nothin on us!

Long day! Free campsite though!!!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Day 1: Roanoke, VA to Radford, VA- 44 miles

From Box to Bike. We got our bikes all put together and made it farther than expected.
My bike's big chain ring in the front was bent from the shipping, so we stopped at a bike shop to get it fixed. Not completely solved, but it will do for a while. Other than that, everything went perfect.
Stopped for lunch to eat left over chipotle with a cemetery in the background. Virginia is very green and very pretty! Now off to bed! Continental breakfast in the morning!!!! And FREE!!!!! Can't wait!!!!


Friday, June 13, 2014

Here we go!

Ready to fly! It is actually happening. We will be on the east coast later today ready to start riding tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

,
you are so good to us!

I got a phone call at 5:45 this morning saying our bikes have arrived. YAY!!!
We won't be bike-less for our trip starting Saturday morning!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

FedEx the Bikes!!!

"Lord, why is it so expensive to ship a bicycle?"
...........…..................
Oh well, bring on the adventure!!!

So excited!!!

I am so excited that I am drawing pictures during class!

Monday, June 2, 2014

FedEx the Bikes!!!

We leave in 11 days and ship the bikes off in 2 days. I finally got most of our gear and bikes safely into these two boxes! Thanks Nate for the advice on how to pack them!

Before:


After: