Hi all,
I've been getting caught up after being away, but the blogs are coming! You will see that I have posted one for day 5 of the ride. I know that's out of order, but I have notes in different places. There are also more photos coming as I get them from other riders.
I'll keep you posted! Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in seeing more!
Jackie
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
New York! - Day 0
Thanks to Brianne, I had an adorable ride-themed notebook to make notes about each day. This was a big help!
On Friday, September 19 I spent the morning in Edison, New Jersey with Danielle's parents. I slept well and had a nice breakfast. Danielle's mom Lisa took me to the train station and I returned to Penn Station. I was able to transfer to the subway easily, but I had a little trouble confirming I was on the right side of the track. I got a day pass and took the E train to 53rd and Lexington, after first getting off at the wrong stop because I couldn't tell where we were. Oops. I switched to the 6 which was an easy transfer, and the train had a light up station list and made announcements - much easier!
I was a little nervous about the neighborhood the hostel was in - it is a mix of old and revamped places. But, I found the Bowery Whitehouse and dropped off my bag. I jumped back on the subway to Central Park. I really liked the park, but it was hard for me to relax. I saw the pond, lake/boathouse, and other areas I recognized from movies. I found it hard to navigate in New York because it's flat and I can't really recognize any landmarks off in the distance.
After the park I walked to the bike shop at 63rd and 1st AVE E. I walked down 5th AVE for a bit - I could tell it was nice because of all the doormen! My bike looked great and we threw it on a trainer to ensure the seat seemed right (it did). I was too scared with all the traffic to bike, so I took it on the subway. I had to take it through the emergency exit gate, but I found a fairly open car.
I got off at Lafayette and Spring, which I guess is getting to Little Italy. There were lots of bikes and a street fair. I found BLVD, which was super nice. The Climate Ride organizers weren't quite ready for us, but I dropped off my bike. Then I went back to the hostel to check in. The neighborhood looked better in that direction, and I even passed a Whole Foods and bought food for breakfast. It took forever to check in - they were really slow and do it all by hand. My room was not much bigger than a closet - and no, that's not a walk in. There was a little cot-type bed and enough floor for a tiny door and a place to put your bag. I got organized - pulling out my bike gear for Saturday. Danielle's bag worked great!
By then it was almost time to go back to BLVD. I stopped at Whole Foods again to have some pizza because I didn't want to feel obligated to buy food at BLVD. I got my sign label for my bike and put on the holder for my handlebar bag - I had to ziptie it. I took care of registration (emergency contacts, waiver), and then I went inside. I was one of the first, so I sort of wandered. Then I sat down with some girls who looked nice, and I'm so glad I did! I met Jennifer (from New Hampshire), Christa (from a different area in New Hampshire), and Chrissy (from Vermont, knew Christa from college). They were all super nice. We talked about training and they were actually impressed with how much I had done! None of them were experienced cyclists either, and they all had the same questions and concerns. We met some of the other riders, and almost everyone seemed to work on these issues professionally. I got my goodie bag and tried on my jersey and warm-up suit.
Then I went back to the hostel. I just relaxed while my cell phone charged at the front desk - no chargers in the "rooms." I went to bed around 10 because I had to be back at BLVD at 7:15 the next morning. I felt good going to bed, just missed Dave and remembered that it was almost my birthday and I wouldn't be in the 18-25 category any longer!
Unfortunately there was a loud group and I really didn't sleep well. :(
Here are some pictures from my trip to Central Park:
On Friday, September 19 I spent the morning in Edison, New Jersey with Danielle's parents. I slept well and had a nice breakfast. Danielle's mom Lisa took me to the train station and I returned to Penn Station. I was able to transfer to the subway easily, but I had a little trouble confirming I was on the right side of the track. I got a day pass and took the E train to 53rd and Lexington, after first getting off at the wrong stop because I couldn't tell where we were. Oops. I switched to the 6 which was an easy transfer, and the train had a light up station list and made announcements - much easier!
I was a little nervous about the neighborhood the hostel was in - it is a mix of old and revamped places. But, I found the Bowery Whitehouse and dropped off my bag. I jumped back on the subway to Central Park. I really liked the park, but it was hard for me to relax. I saw the pond, lake/boathouse, and other areas I recognized from movies. I found it hard to navigate in New York because it's flat and I can't really recognize any landmarks off in the distance.
After the park I walked to the bike shop at 63rd and 1st AVE E. I walked down 5th AVE for a bit - I could tell it was nice because of all the doormen! My bike looked great and we threw it on a trainer to ensure the seat seemed right (it did). I was too scared with all the traffic to bike, so I took it on the subway. I had to take it through the emergency exit gate, but I found a fairly open car.
I got off at Lafayette and Spring, which I guess is getting to Little Italy. There were lots of bikes and a street fair. I found BLVD, which was super nice. The Climate Ride organizers weren't quite ready for us, but I dropped off my bike. Then I went back to the hostel to check in. The neighborhood looked better in that direction, and I even passed a Whole Foods and bought food for breakfast. It took forever to check in - they were really slow and do it all by hand. My room was not much bigger than a closet - and no, that's not a walk in. There was a little cot-type bed and enough floor for a tiny door and a place to put your bag. I got organized - pulling out my bike gear for Saturday. Danielle's bag worked great!By then it was almost time to go back to BLVD. I stopped at Whole Foods again to have some pizza because I didn't want to feel obligated to buy food at BLVD. I got my sign label for my bike and put on the holder for my handlebar bag - I had to ziptie it. I took care of registration (emergency contacts, waiver), and then I went inside. I was one of the first, so I sort of wandered. Then I sat down with some girls who looked nice, and I'm so glad I did! I met Jennifer (from New Hampshire), Christa (from a different area in New Hampshire), and Chrissy (from Vermont, knew Christa from college). They were all super nice. We talked about training and they were actually impressed with how much I had done! None of them were experienced cyclists either, and they all had the same questions and concerns. We met some of the other riders, and almost everyone seemed to work on these issues professionally. I got my goodie bag and tried on my jersey and warm-up suit.
Then I went back to the hostel. I just relaxed while my cell phone charged at the front desk - no chargers in the "rooms." I went to bed around 10 because I had to be back at BLVD at 7:15 the next morning. I felt good going to bed, just missed Dave and remembered that it was almost my birthday and I wouldn't be in the 18-25 category any longer!
Unfortunately there was a loud group and I really didn't sleep well. :(
Here are some pictures from my trip to Central Park:
A few highlights from other sources...
Here are some other places you can learn more about my experience:
- My friend Christa's blog on the Climate Ride website. She wrote one for each day and I was with her virtually every second. Much love to Christa, Chrissy, and Jennifer!
- The rest of the Climate Ride blog has lots of photos.
- And my dad found this picture of me!
- My friend Christa's blog on the Climate Ride website. She wrote one for each day and I was with her virtually every second. Much love to Christa, Chrissy, and Jennifer!
- The rest of the Climate Ride blog has lots of photos.
- And my dad found this picture of me!
I'm alive! Yes, it's me!
Hello everyone! Wow, I made it and I'm not dead! :)
The ride was HARD. I definitely pushed my body to the limits and then some more. On the 4th day I was fighting back tears. My swearing increased exponentially with the hills. When the 5th day (into D.C.) turned out to be 45 miles of hills before the easier 20 into the city - oh yes, it turned out to be ANOTHER 66 mile day - I really wasn't sure if I had it in me. But, I made it.
Would I do it again? Not likely! Was it a good experience? Definitely. I met some totally amazing girls who helped me through everything - exhaustion, a flat tire, one hill climb after another, frustration with the "gearheads" (experienced riders blowing past us). I'm proud of myself for sticking with this all the way through for so long. You all know what I've gone through with training, buying gear, fundraising, making travel arrangements, and actually riding. I did it!
Currently I'm at Sarah's and sooooo comfy. Today I'm taking it easy and I'll be working on the blog. I'm going to write a post for each day and I have a few pictures (it was hard to take a lot). My friend took more pics, so I will post those as I have them.
Just wanted to let everyone know I am okay, and thank you for all your support!
The ride was HARD. I definitely pushed my body to the limits and then some more. On the 4th day I was fighting back tears. My swearing increased exponentially with the hills. When the 5th day (into D.C.) turned out to be 45 miles of hills before the easier 20 into the city - oh yes, it turned out to be ANOTHER 66 mile day - I really wasn't sure if I had it in me. But, I made it.
Would I do it again? Not likely! Was it a good experience? Definitely. I met some totally amazing girls who helped me through everything - exhaustion, a flat tire, one hill climb after another, frustration with the "gearheads" (experienced riders blowing past us). I'm proud of myself for sticking with this all the way through for so long. You all know what I've gone through with training, buying gear, fundraising, making travel arrangements, and actually riding. I did it!
Currently I'm at Sarah's and sooooo comfy. Today I'm taking it easy and I'll be working on the blog. I'm going to write a post for each day and I have a few pictures (it was hard to take a lot). My friend took more pics, so I will post those as I have them.
Just wanted to let everyone know I am okay, and thank you for all your support!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
They have arrived!
I do not have any specific details yet, but I wanted to let everyone know that Jackie is now at the nation's Capital.
I'll continue to post as more information is available.
I'll continue to post as more information is available.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
4 down, 1 to go
Todays ride turned out to be the hardest day yet. Despite initial information that claimed that Wednesday would be the longest day today actually turned out to be longer. On top of the longest mileage to date the route was almost all hills with very few flats. As soon as the riders crested one hill and rode down they would immediately begin the climb up the subsequent hill.
Even though there are quite a few hills around the Seattle area that Jackie and I rode on during the summer the sheer number of hills on this ride were quite formidable. From Jackie's accounts some of the hills were also extremely steep for a bike rider to the point where Jackie had to walk her bike up the hill. Now I have rode a lot of hills with Jackie and I will be the first to admit that she can kick my butt left, right and center up a hill so I know first hand that for Jackie to get off her bike on a hill, it must be pretty epic!
The end of todays route took the riders through the heart of Baltimore winding down narrow streets alongside drivers not used to sharing the road with cyclists. The final destination for the evening was a park on the east side of Baltimore where the riders set up their tents, ate dinner, listened to another speaker and then laid down for an early evening because the morning would be coming even earlier.
Tomorrow looks to be an easier day with more flats and even some down hill, but although tomorrow is the final day it is not a day to meander through the countryside. At the end of tomorrow's route awaits senators and congress(wo)men who will be speaking with the riders along with parts of the media that are documenting the wrap up of the event. Jackie was told that it was been confirmed that she will have the opportunity to meet Washington's own Maria Cantwell. Thankfully the representatives of Washington are already doing a great deal for our state compared to a lot of other states so there are not many things to add with the short amount of time they will have together.
After all is said and done Jackie will have her bike dissembled in order to be shipped back to Seattle. Jackie's friend, Sarah Mars, will be picking her up and taking her home where Jackie will be able to shower and relax and sit on something other than a piece of hard foam and rubber.
Even though there are quite a few hills around the Seattle area that Jackie and I rode on during the summer the sheer number of hills on this ride were quite formidable. From Jackie's accounts some of the hills were also extremely steep for a bike rider to the point where Jackie had to walk her bike up the hill. Now I have rode a lot of hills with Jackie and I will be the first to admit that she can kick my butt left, right and center up a hill so I know first hand that for Jackie to get off her bike on a hill, it must be pretty epic!
The end of todays route took the riders through the heart of Baltimore winding down narrow streets alongside drivers not used to sharing the road with cyclists. The final destination for the evening was a park on the east side of Baltimore where the riders set up their tents, ate dinner, listened to another speaker and then laid down for an early evening because the morning would be coming even earlier.
Tomorrow looks to be an easier day with more flats and even some down hill, but although tomorrow is the final day it is not a day to meander through the countryside. At the end of tomorrow's route awaits senators and congress(wo)men who will be speaking with the riders along with parts of the media that are documenting the wrap up of the event. Jackie was told that it was been confirmed that she will have the opportunity to meet Washington's own Maria Cantwell. Thankfully the representatives of Washington are already doing a great deal for our state compared to a lot of other states so there are not many things to add with the short amount of time they will have together.
After all is said and done Jackie will have her bike dissembled in order to be shipped back to Seattle. Jackie's friend, Sarah Mars, will be picking her up and taking her home where Jackie will be able to shower and relax and sit on something other than a piece of hard foam and rubber.
Over half way
Unfortunately I was not able to talk with Jackie this evening because I was in meetings and the cell reception in the area is very limited so Jackie had limited opportunity to call before getting to bed early. This might be in part because the majority of people in the area are Amish. Also, the group is staying at a Mennonite summer camp approximately 50 south of Lancaster, PA. From the message that I got from Jackie, riders had the option of paying $6 in order to stay in dormitory style rooms for the evening which Jackie immediately accepted (rightfully so).
Today was the longest day of the ride and with this behind them the riders are almost two-thirds of the way through the ride. I know based on a text message from Jackie that one of the highlights today was an ice cream break at Strausburg Creamery. I am looking forward to hearing more about riding through Amish country and crossing my fingers that the next two days of riding go well for Jackie and everyone on the ride!
If you would like more details on the ride the staff of Climate Ride are posting occasionally to Twitter and keeping blogs and photos which can be connected to through Twitter.
Today was the longest day of the ride and with this behind them the riders are almost two-thirds of the way through the ride. I know based on a text message from Jackie that one of the highlights today was an ice cream break at Strausburg Creamery. I am looking forward to hearing more about riding through Amish country and crossing my fingers that the next two days of riding go well for Jackie and everyone on the ride!
If you would like more details on the ride the staff of Climate Ride are posting occasionally to Twitter and keeping blogs and photos which can be connected to through Twitter.
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