Day 1!

After two days of orientation (which included a 15-mile shakedown ride), we got on the road today!  We biked to Revere Beach, dipped our back tires into the Atlantic, and set off.  23 miles later, we pulled in to our overnight location in Andover, MA.  The ride was good: we stayed together in groups for the first 15 miles or so (to get out of the urban area), and then biked on less-trafficked roads for the rest.  Once we hit the suburban part, we hit some hills!  They weren't very big, but my legs are short, so I went pretty slowly.  

Thus far, we have been awakened every morning at 6  to Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys.  I woke up in the middle of last night to discover that Devon, the girl sleeping next to me, had rotated 90 degrees and was sleeping perpendicular to her thermarest.  I was afraid I was going to kick her in the head.  But it all turned out OK. :-)  

Tomorrow we have our first build day in Lawrence, MA.  Lawrence has one of the highest rates of foreclosures in the country, and this Habitat chapter is the one receiving most of the fundraising from our trip.  I did a build there with Erin and Oliver a few weeks ago and we spent the whole time moving dirt; fingers crossed that in the interim the houses have moved beyond the dirt-moving stage. 

There are now some photos from our trip up at www.bikeandbuild.org.  I forgot my camera cable (because I'm an idiot), so I won't be able to upload any photos until I either a) find someone with a compatible cable or b) buy a new cable.  I'll try to steal other people's photos and post them here. 

I love my bike!