First Day!

Today was the first day of riding at it was great fun! First we packed things into our bags, met on the Yale green with all of the riders from North Central and South routes, and heard speeches from the the dean of Yale and all of those who have helped to make this trip possible. We were also treated to a great breakfast provided by Mortgage Lenders International. Then after more photos, hugs from family members and goodbyes, we rode out of New Haven.
Some of the more memorable moments of the 34 mile ride to Danbury, CT was at lunch when Anne asked out loud, "So when I do I get good?" This after our first half of a day of riding...
Well we are all learning quickly from scrapes and bruises after attempting to dismount from our bikes. Clipping the shoes in and out of the bike has been a challenge, but one that I think we will quickly overcome.
Other exciting news is that there was a rubby ducky race down a small stream in Newtown CT. Yes hundreds if not thousands of individually numbered rubber duckies were dumped by a bulldozer into a small stream and a lottery was held to guess the number of the first duck to reach the next bridge. Procedes benefited the local animal shelter.
It's time for a long night's sleep for the ride ahead. Stay tuned for more adventures from the Northies...

Jonathan

orientation love...

Today involved two split lives. I spent the day walking bikes over to College Cycle in the morning and sitting in the HBC office in the afternoon. Then, several runs back and forth to Amity to purchase everything in the store.

Everyone else had 3 different seminars on bike safety, riding in groups and nutrition. Then, lunch and a training ride. Sophia's parents were kind enough to invite us over for a BBQ and general merriment.

Otherwise, the day has really been underwhelming. Some routing got done, some hosts were called, some riders were conscripted to fold thank you letters. And I can hear the sweet siren song of my bed calling me.

Mail Drops

Friends! Family!

Send us mail!!! At the following maildrops. We'd love to hear from you.

HBC Mail-Drops^TM

HBC Mail-Drops^TM alleviate low spirits, achy muscles, low blood sugar and fatigue.

Directions: Mail to rider at least one week in advance of pick up date. Biker should unwrap before consumption.

WARNING: Failure to do so may result in emotional scarring and heightened jealousy.

Pick Up Date City Address

Phone Number

June 2^nd Houghton, NY

Houghton Post Office General Delivery
585-567-8783 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
9672 Route 19
Houghton, NY 14744-9998

June 9^th Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Post Office General Delivery
734-662-0223 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
2075 West Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI 48106

June 16^th Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva Post Office General Delivery
262-248-3545 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
672 W. Main St.
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

June 23^rd Hutchinson, MN

Hutchinson Post Office General Delivery
320-587-2497 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
245 Main St. South
Hutchinson, MN 55350

June 30^th Rapid City, SD

Rapid City Post Office General Delivery
605-355-2819 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
Rapid City, SD 57701

July 7^th Dubois, WY

Dubois Post Office General Delivery
307-455-2735 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
Dubois, WY 82513

July 11^th Ennis, MT

Ennis Post Office General Delivery
406-682-4286 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
Ennis, MT 59729

July 20^th Sandpoint, ID

Sandpoint Post Office General Delivery
208-263-2716 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
Sandpoint, ID 83864

July 27^th Rockport, WA

Rockport Post Office General Delivery
360-853-8201 Rider Name
c/o Habitat Bicycle Challenge
Rockport, WA 98283

Also...

We have a couple reroutes that we have yet to put up on our blog. It'll be up in the next few days.

Hopefully by tomorrow.

Promise.

Quote from the Habitat Office:
"Anna and I were talking about what else there was left after biking across the country. And, we thought, THE IDITAROD" - the Foote

Orientation

Well, we are here prepping like mad men and women for our departure from the Green at 9am on Saturday. The leaders are tired, worn and jetlagged. But, we are also thrilled. Our riders are freakin' awesome, we're staying in the lovely Chabad house and getting ready for a full day tomorrow of training rides and modules.

Wednesday was a whirlwind of registration, dolling out gear, tuning bikes and having a full HBC dinner. We're shuttling between the Chabad house and my own house (for we cannot bring any food into 37 edgewood, or shower there).

I confess that if I see another HBC thank you letter, I might lose it. They have been waging a war with my sanity, and winning. But, the prospect of being able to hop on my bike soon and ride far far away from jammed printers and mislabelled envelops is thrilling.


Saturday morning. Send off. Be there.