After a test ride in the farm country outside our hometown of Poland, Ohio, Troy and I are relatively pleased with our gear. We camped out and used much of our gear. The kerosene camp stove that we borrowed from a relative turned out to be broken, so we've purchased a new one. Still, our fire starter gear was able to make a very nice camp fire and we dined delightfully on s'mores and other goodies.
Troy's bike needed some adjustments, so we bought him a different stem - one that had a greater rise to it. We tested that out on another test ride this week and it seems to be working for him just fine. In the last week, we've had four days of garage sale-ing through which we've been able to make a nice bit of support money. It would be impossible to do this ride without the help of our family and friends. Last weekend, Troy's boss, Jamie, threw us a poker tournament, which was a great help to our support funds. We've been very fortunate to have such gracious people around us.
After a few last-minute preparations, Troy and I are set to leave for the east coast as of tomorrow. We've decided to depart from Yorktown, VA instead of D.C., to avoid the holiday craziness. We've been delayed due to some arrangements I've had to make for the fall - course enrollments and such. We'll start biking Sunday or Monday morning just before dawn. We've planned an itinerary that I will post later today.
So far, my bicycle has worked out fantastically. Both bicycles have been getting us up the rolling hills in northeastern Ohio. We're pretty confident that they'll get us up the Appalachians... and once we're whipped into shape, the Rockies too.
Quality Water Means Quality Life
1.2 billion people do not have access to clean water. Help others avoid the choice between thirst or disease.
As we passed through the Ozark Mountains, among Missouri scenic rivers, we came to a gorgeous little spot called "Two Rivers." At this convergence of the Jacks Fork and Current rivers, the silt heavy rapids of the Current meet the clear calm of the Jacks Fork river and one can actually see the divide between the two. I couldn't help but think of the divide between our access to clean water and the lack thereof in the villages of rural Ghana.
Troy and I consume on average, about 12 to 20 (20 oz) bottles of water daily. That's 12 to 20 times per day that, unlike the people in rural Ghana, Troy and I avoid illness without even realizing it. Regardless of how many miles we ride, we have no doubt that stopping anywhere along the road for water will be easy and risk-free.
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what r u sleeping on? a mattress or a blowup bed? are u sleeping at all? and smores?? what happened to the vegan diet? where did u camp? did u get any donations for ur cause? hope ur keepin warm cuz u'll get sick its gettin down to 49 tonite. be careful. dont take any goofy chances. love u both. take care
ReplyDelete-Daaaaaaaaaaaaa Vick
Dear Vick aka Steph,
ReplyDeleteWe are sleeping on two bed rolls that fill with air and two very plush sleeping bags. Sleep is not a problem at all when you're exhausted!
Troy and I are still managing as best we can with a vegan diet. On the days where we don't cook for ourselves we ask for vegan options or pick off the things we don't want to eat as best we can. S'mores are pretty easy to make vegan. We used baker's chocolate that is straight up cacao and sugar. It's darker and very tasty.
We've been getting donations from friends, family, and fundraising events. We're now trying to raise awareness and funds specifically for the T. Colin Campbell Foundation and for WellDone.
Keeping warm is not a problem. Our sleeping sacks are rated down to 20 degrees Farenheit, which on most nights is too warm.