**Subject to change

On the Bike and Build website, under the itinerary, it says **Subject to change. True to its word, we have a change. Instead of a build day in Colorado Springs on July 4, it will be an off day (Although we are still having a build day July 3 in Colorado Springs). Why? Because its July 4th and we will celebrating America's independence with a BBQ and fireworks (and if we are really lucky, a rodeo!) Instead, the off day scheduled in Durango, CO on July 9th is now a build day.

Thank You, Thank You!!!

I would like to use this post to recognize and thank Andy and Libby Beider and Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen for their very generous donations this week.

My parents have been friends with the Beiders since before I was born, and I went to school w/ their daughter Marla. Andy has more chess sets than anyone I know. A word of advice: Do not challenge Andy to a game of chess expecting to win. Instead, take it as an opportunity to make yourself a better player.

My parents have also known my Uncle Bob and Aunt Maureen for a long time (my dad has known my uncle for over 50 years!) Hopefully we can meet up when I am in DC in a couple of weeks.

Again, thank you. I really appreciate it.

Your water is leaking...

So today at spinning class, the instructor tells one of the ladies in the class: your water is leaking. He meant that her water bottle was leaking. I of course announce to the group: There must be a baby on the way!

Words of Wisdom from Tynisa Henry:

Here are some words of wisdom that I received and feel obligated to share with others, so they are knowledgable as well and know how to behave while eating:

This (Bike and Build) sounds like such a cool thing to do - i do have one piece of advice for you - if you meet any cute girls do NOT ask them are they going to finish their food (no matter how hungry you are) be a gentleman!!!

Its a Small World

So Wednesday night, I am talking about bike and build after my spinning class (even showed up 45 minutes early for a good bike and to start my workout early) and another rider heard me talking and said that she was also doing bike and build - It was Jess Medors, one of the leaders for the Providence to San Francisco trip. Of all the spinning classes in all the gyms in Columbus...who would have thought. If you want, now is a good time to start singing Its a Small World.

Simulated Day in the Life of Bike and Build

In what was truly just a simulation of what I will be doing this summer, I hit the Sat morning spinning class, and after a quick shower and bite to eat, headed over to the Columbus Habitat Rebuild Store, to help move things for customers. During the actual bike trip, I will of course be riding one day and building on another, but its good to combine the two tasks into one day as well. There was a steady stream of customers, and you could really tell that some of the customers that were down on their luck were extremely grateful for the items they found at such low prices and made sure to express their appreciation to the volunteers. There was also a steady stream of donations that came in, including about 50 sets of blinds from Max & Erma's, heating ducts and a washing machine. The guy opened up the washing machine to put the hose in it, and found some of his laundry still in the washer! He removed it (of course) and after I wheeled it into the store and stopped to put a price tag on it, another customer had already purchased it. Talk about a quick turn-around. I am sure most retail companies would be thrilled with such a short shelf-life.

Early Morning Spinning

I started to put in some serious spinning this week, hitting the 6am spin class on Monday and Wednesday and following up with the Friday evening class. The early mornings have taken a toll, but it will be perfect training for the trip - getting up early to ride (especially to beat the heat in Arizona). I am not quite ready to do back-to-back spinning classes, but should be in a couple of weeks as long as training goes well. I figure I'll hit the erg as well, just for old time's sake.