Road Trip For Paige

Yesterday we began our road trip to St. Louis to pay honor to Paige and her family. Last night we stopped in Lincoln our half way mark to rest up for the other half of our journey today. My parents blessed us with warm meals, clean towels, and most of all a home to rest our weary bodies. Just north of their home is a park and we were able to strenght our legs and play frisbee. For me of course it was great to be with both my family and Bike & Build family together. Today we will continue to St. Louis for the viewing and memorial tomorrow. I am very greatful for everyone who has made it possible for the P2S10 family to travel all the way to St. Louis. We are truley blessed because of it. I know these next couple of days will be hard and seeing Paige again will bring back memories of the accident. But together we will make it through.

To the one and only...

Paige Hicks 

(Fearless Leader)

The one and only Paige. I will forever miss you!

-Keep on Keepin on

Riding in the Wheat Field!!

Welcome To South Dakota

Wake-Up

With a 4:00 a.m. wake-up we are able to begin our ride with a beautiful sunrise. This totally makes it worth it.

On the search for the Lost Nation

On our way through Iowa we kept finding signs for a town called 'Lost Nation.' Over and over again we wondered if we would ever find it. As well as if it is lost why does it has a distance. We have a good time joking around so once we came to this booming town we had to take a photo.

This day I was sweeping with Brittney. Shortly after this photo we took a rest stop at a gas station. Which for any other person would be a good experience. However with me I always choose the worst places. At first instance it looked like a nice place. Then after coming out I smelled like poo. After searching around for awhile I found poo all over me. It was so bad I wanted to cry but I kept it together, cleaned myself up, and continued traveling. It ended up that I placed my camel back in poo on the ground and then when I put my bag on it got all over me. Let just say I was thankful for the showers at the end of the day. Even if it was freezing cold.

Open Road...

On the trip we have been blessed with many open roads. This is a common sight as we went across the mid-west. Now in South Dakota the landscape is changing and the fields of wheat are increasing by the day. It's amazing to see God's creation as we travel from sea to sea.

Mohawks

So in Bike & Build we have a lot of time to think and sometimes do crazy things. Lately the guys one by one have been appearing with Mohawks. Here is Hassan and Sam showing off the official haircut of P2S10. I think at the last count we had I believe 6 men supporting the new look. These photos are for all the mothers out there wondering what there sons are up to. Don't worry they are all sweethearts and they take care of us ladies.

Requests!

So the trip is coming along and of course I have lots of stories to share. I want this blog to be more interactive so I am asking for requests. Is there a picture you would like to see? Are you wanting more photos or stories? Let me know and I will provide the best of my ability. Also make sure to send along encouragement. On our trip we have an encouragement box and it always makes my day when I get one. So make sure to post a comment on this entry.

South Dakota Here We Come!

I'm learning more and more about why Nebraskans don't like Iowa. I always told people it was because of their speed limit and taking forever to get across. But now I am learning about the fields of endless corn, the gravel roads, and the countless hills. Wait, I forgot about the heat. Never the more I do have to say it reminds me more and more of Nebraska and the miles of openness.  Yesterday as we were riding 100+ miles another rider made a comment about the greenness of everything. We had the beautiful blue skys with the green field covered hills and the random trees throughout the landscape in front of us. It was a peaceful moment as the pain of miles and heat kicked in. I'm sad to see Iowa go but I am looking forward to what South Dakota has to offer. It seems like yesterday we began our journey and it is in South Dakota we hit our half way mark. Now when we tell people where we came from we get crazy looks. Before it was more of where we were going. So ready or not here we come South Dakota.

Iowa where the corn never ends.

So growing up in Nebraska I have seen my share of corn fields. But I am finding out that Iowa by far has more then I ever thought. I guess that is why Iowa is like the number one corn producer in the United States. So far we have seen corn, corn, and some more corn. I do have to say that it is quite beautiful and I am loving it. Today I was in the van driving. It was somewhat of a crazy day with a detour half way through the day making it over 100 miles. Then right after the first group arrived we heard the rain coming. Now that is crazy. Within seconds the rain was pouring and everyone there jumped into the van. We thought the storm would pass over quickly but it hang around more of the afternoon. It would come and go but overall it poured the whole afternoon making for a very cold and wet afternoon. Once people started arriving at the host we welcomed them with towels and hot chocolate to warm them up. I don't remember which host gave us hot chocolate but today it was a life saver and I want to thank you for that!!!!!! Well tomorrow is a short day and I am so ready for bed so I am calling it an early night. Hope all is well where ever you are and I send blessings your way.

Pontiac, IL News

Today on the way into Pontiac, IL we were meet with the news. They took this amazing photo of the group at our lunch stop, which was under the only tree in the area. I was driving but was also able to get into the photo. As a leader we drive every fourth day so we are able to get our gear from location to location. It's been interesting learning how to drive a trailer around and I will have many funny stories to share with you some day. Once we arrived into Pontiac we went to a local diner and had some amazing food. Olivia and I then went for a little walk around town to pick up some local information. On the way there we saw a radio station and decided we needed to see if we could get a spot on the air. Within minutes we were back in the studio talking about the trip. I couldn't believe how nice everyone was and how opened they were to helping in any way. Tomorrow is our day off here and many people are finding ways to get to Chicago. I'm just going to hang out around town, get some good rest, and maybe cook some Chinese food.  Just depends on what I can find. 

The Land of Lincoln

Blessing

My stay in West Lafayette was truly a blessing. Being away from your friends and family is hard. Then add the challenge of riding across the United States. Both of these things make coming home even more of a blessing. I am extremely blessed with an amazing church to call home. Above you will see Rachel, Rainey, and Robin up bright and early to cook us breakfast. I can't say I know to many people who would get up at 4 am to come cook and look so good at doing it. I thank each of you so much for everything you have done to make this stay possible. You are AMAZING!!!!! I also want to thank both Alex and Wyatt for riding with me. It's great to have extra riders joining us on the road and just being able to catch up on whats happening back home.

My Friend Hassan

Here is Hassan playing with our newly found beach ball! Got to pass the time and Hassan always has some good stories and games to play.

Home Sweet Home

Out of all the states we have been to this is one I have been looking forward to the most. Indiana has been my home for three years now and I was so happy to be entering the state once again. Gabe and some other riders wrote a 'Welcome Home Hailey' at the state sign and it totally made my day. This day so far has been my favorite by far. To start the day off we had a police escort by the Dayton, OH police. It was great getting to celebrate the 4th on the bike with some amazing friends plus riding my first ever 100+ mile ride. As the day went on it started to get really hot. At around mile 90 team Hailey stopped and bought a bag of ice. At that point we were over heating and needed a little boost of energy. So we spent time sitting at the gas pump eating ice, filling our Camel backs full of ice, and placing as much ice as we could in our clothing. Let me tell you it was amazing to have some relief from the heat. The last 7 miles we changed direction and finally had some tail winds. At the end of the day I couldn't believe we had traveled over 100 miles by bicycle. I will truly remember this day and the challenges we had to overcome to complete it. Now that this day is complete I look forward to seeing everyone in West Lafayette tomorrow night.

OHIO

Today was my first successful long day! I was suppose to be driving today but because another co-leader's knee was in pain we switched drive days. Therefore today was a day to see how far I could go. Overall the route was pretty flat. Not much hills along the way. The further west we get the more the surrounding reminds me of home. Yesterday I even saw a sign for Indianapolis. Today Alex's parents were nice enough to host us for lunch. It was nice to meet them as well as eat something other then peanut and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Lunch was pretty far into the ride at about 52 miles but it was nice to only have 40 miles left afterwards. After lunch I rode with Maddy and we picked up the pace. We created some songs and just had a good time. I am learning how much I love bike paths. Well at least ones we can find. On one of the paths we met these two guys who were biking from Cincinnati to Springfield. Come to find out that there is a path that goes the whole distance. I'm thinking that maybe this fall I will have to come back and bike it. If anyone is up for it let me know. I would love some fellow riders.Well I don't know much else. After a 92 miles day sleep is almost all I can think of. Tomorrow is a build day and then we have a 100 mile on July 4th into Indiana. I can't wait to see everyone in a couple of day.

Hay-Lunch Stop

On the way from Columbus, OH to Dayton, OH we were able to stop at Alex Ray's parents house in Springfield for lunch. They had lots of food and drinks for us waiting as we roded by. Out back we were able to also capture some good hay pictures which is important on any Bike & Build trip.