I currently reside in Youngstown, Ohio. Its incredibly humid and pretty hot. We had a build day today so spent most of it fitting skirting boards and sweating a lot. Legs naturally are grateful for a day off cycling!

Ok, funny story time. Hope you are sat comfortably. Couple of nights ago we went to a very cheap bar. We were back in bed by 11 so we had enough sleep for the next day. However, I woke up in the middle of the night needing the 'restroom'. I was sleeping in the basement underneath a church, but had positioned myself on the opposite side to where I knew the toilets were. In trying to avoid waking everyone up by tiptoeing past them, I wandered through the double doors at the end I was sleeping. Up one flight of stairs, no toilet. Yet I didn't want to admit defeat and turn around. Another flight, no toilet. Beginning to get pretty desperate, I found myself in the church. Obviously not a great place to be, so I swallowed my pride and hurried down the stairs and due to the complete darkness and my current state, I never saw the level change of four or so stairs coming. So I fell flat on the floor.

( Unhurt. Anthony 1 Floor 0 )

Today we arrived in Wellsboro, and we are staying in the centre of the town. It's pretty small but has a few nice shops and food places. The ride today wasn't on a great route so we thrashed it out and got to lunch by 9.30 and to the church by 12. So I have slept, swam, bought some white bar tape. Off to read about England...

http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/route.php?route=P2S&year=2010

Bike and build route tracker

Also Stat of the day:

Hit 47.3 mph today

Right, I have prolonged internet access. So big blog time! I can't be bothered to write this properly though so here are a few things I would talk to you about.

1) My ridiculous tanlines. Brown fingers, legs, head, forearms. White body, hands ( minus fingers ) and everything else. My leg is a bit burnt and also mainly on the left side because of travelling west.

2) Our generous hosts. We have so much food provided it is ridiculous.Mainly lasagne but I am just stuffing my face with crisps, brownies, bananas, cereals, fruit and salad... Our current host is Binghamton, and we are here for two days as tomorrow is a day off. Thankfully, because it is...

3) Really hot! I rode sweep yesterday which means I ride at the back and make sure no-one gets lost, injured etc... but this means I cant pass anyone. The sun was intense, one poor girl had to be collected by the van due to dehydration.

4) World Cup. Watched the England game in a bar. Terrible stuff although this world cup is generally a bit of a surprise by the results I've heard.

5) Yoga. We did yoga in Granby, but it was after dinner ( where people eat as much as possible ) and a few people got into some comprimised positions!

6) Chamois butter. I have gone without for the last three days and have been fine whilst riding. However, close inspection in the shower revealed a need for it.

7) The scenery is great. Today a deer ran alongside us in the bushes.

8) Press-up challenge.
120 - number of miles cycled = number of press-ups for that day. All lads participating.

My body now needs a rest, up at 5 in the morning today for 85 miles. Hardcore.

2 days of biking have passed. I have been lost four times, had two free ice creams and free pizza for lunch. All this alongside the food that bike and build provide and the host meals provided by the churches where we stay. The food is awesome. We are now in Granby, CT, having passed into a new state yesterday.

My cycle computer currently sits at 140 miles including the 20 mile practice ride, and so far my legs are holding up. The tanlines are already developing as we have had a fair amount of sun, with the temperature about 75 degrees each day.

Dinner at our third host is around the corner; everyone from the local community comes and cooks various dishes.

Missing the world cup.

Today was the first build day and we were painting two houses (semi-detached) just a short bike ride from our host location. So at the moment everyone is making final preparations for the big-off, the big Daddy O, (the first day of cycling). In demonstrating that I could change a flat tire, I managed to give myself a flat tire in the process ( not my fault, dodgy tube valve) and so on my list of things to buy at the bike shop is some new inner tubes.

Food here is pretty incredible. We get given a lot of free stuff, including free ice-cream from this random van which just pulled up outside the build site. Just waiting until we start burning these 5-6,000 calories a day and can eat the equivalent in snickers.

Quote of the day: When biking, snickers is the best thing for you.

First day of Bike and Build!

Today is the first day of Orientation in Providence, so I will be checking out of my hotel shortly and making my way into Brown University. The plan today is to seamlessly blend checking in and meeting everyone, with running off and watching the England v USA game. No-one will ever know...

So I made it into the States. I'm currently stuck in the middle of nowhere and have to travel back to the airport just to get a bus anywhere. After I'm finished typing this, I will hed into Providence and hopefully meet some Bike and Builders for a picnic dinner.

My shaver has decided to break, and I am half shaved. So I've really got to pull off the eccentric Brit today.

So folks,

I bid you a farewell/hello?, as I leave home for the US. Hopefully have packed everything, although we have loads of kit, there is something enjoyably minimal about it ie. 2 months cycling = 3 pairs of boxers ( as recommended by Bike and Build, I'm not being the sole dirt merchant ).

Broke 100 miles for the first time yesterday with my Dad, probably not the best way to finish your training but its given my ego a bit of a boost. Although I do actually think my arse has changed shape... its now a triangle.

Probably would be a good idea to give Bike and Build a post. I found out about this in the pub in Edinburgh and I owe a thank you to Taylor Hesselgrave for telling me how awesome will be.

www.bikeandbuild.org

Providence to Seattle 2010

Ok folks,

Welcome to my blog. I thought this would be the best way to stay in contact with everyone, at least on my part whilst I am pedalling away. I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have on the trip so apologies if you check this everyday (you know you will) and there is nothing new.

I fly out on Thursday and I'm desperately trying to get together as much kit as possible. I have got hold of some St. George Cross cycling socks for the trip; I've never been so proud of my socks.

So once again, welcome to the blog, sit back and relax, and prepare yourself to read about my pain.