Against the Wind

Casper, Wyoming

 I cannot get over how beautiful our country is. And I can think of no way to fully articulate this. So there you have it. 'Murica, you're really freakin' pretty.

 Let's see..what's happened in the past week or so:
-I rescued our life size cardboard cut out of Chubaka from the local authorities at a lunch stop. Apparently his presence was not welcome tied to their street signs.. rolled in just in time.
-We've stayed in some pretty small towns, and a few rather large cities. For instance, Lake Andes SD vs Casper WY. The other day we rode through a town with a population of 4. I don't think they could have handled us. 

- Our 102 mile day into Martin, SD easily stands as my favorite riding day thus far. Together with Caley and Collyn, I rode through the Rosebud reservation. This land is alive. The morning was rather eerie as clouds hung low in the sky as far as the eye can see and the bush was cast with a gray shadow. This air of mystery and power was very intriguing and we rode swiftly into lunch some 40 miles past our starting point. We were parked on the campus of a Lakota College and I spoke briefly with a man named Buck who gave and a few other Bike and Builders feathers. Post lunch we faced rain and heavy mist. This was incredibly challenging and it felt like we weren't moving at all. Once the storm broke we were greeted by stunning rolling hills and gorgeous golden prairie. We were challenged by long climbs and headwind until second lunch, which was in the middle of a cattle ranch. While I'm not quite sure how to describe this landscape, I was incredibly moved by this ride. There is much to be said about the area and the history of the Lakota people. I am fortunate to have had this day and to experience the power of the land. 

-I love Bike and Build. Never again will I be able to consume a cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake like a bowl of cereal.  
- In honor of the man that tried repeatedly to draft off of my in Ohio, my friends and I have started Fat Man Friday. Every five miles we ride with our buts up and knees out. Quite the sight.

-We showered in a fire house in Martin, SD after that 102 mile ride. Way too much fun!
-Have I mentioned the headwind? Holy headwind. Nothing like this in the Northeast that's for sure. I've spend a lot of time on my drop bars just to cut down on the resistance but man has this been work latelly. Honestly I'd take hills over this any day but the picturesque landscape has my heart. In a year I won't remember the fatigue or my intermittent crankiness, but the perfection of the rolling golden hills and remarkable sunsets.
-Our day off in Chatom, Nebraska was much needed and we enjoyed the day exploring town and relaxing in coffee shops. After a chance encounter at the Safeway grocery store, a few friends and I spent the evening sitting around a campfire with a couple who had essentially pedaled across the world in the late 80s. Over hott brownies and ice cream we chatted about our experiences, but mostly listened to their incredible and inspiring stories.  I'm totally stoked to continue riding post bike and build and exploring this world from the saddle, but no worries mom and dad, I won't spend three years traversing Asia or taking the Trans-Siberian rail to an unknown destination. Seriously, Steve and Cheryl had done it all. And then some. If you're interested in a good story when I return ask about the legend of Hans. Its a good one..

In all seriousness this was an incredibly fortuitous night that gave us all a breath of fresh air and some much needed inspiration. 
-Today marked our latest build day and I found myself doing all sorts of stuff from breaking concrete, moving dirt, filling in holes, hammering, chalking, to putting up tar paper around the foundation. We made some serious progress on the site and Casper's Habitat was certainly excited to have us. 
-We're in Jackalope country. No really, I swear some people think he's real.
- The other night we spend an afternoon on a Ranch! Horses, baby pigs, cows, and a home cooked meal. So content. 
-Bike and Build Wedding!! Yes, in honor of Erin and Duncan we threw a beautiful, sunset, mock wedding in a local park last night. Decked in biking apparel we sang and danced the night away after a very multicultural, overthetop, cake and sparkling cider included, ceremony.

 Cheers!
Muffin