Warren, PA ~ 75 miles

Woke up today in Caudersport, PA at 5:45am (normal wake up time for me on this trip) on the floor of a church's youth center. I noticed immediately it was a little chilly, and reluctantly I crawled out of my sleeping bag, which somehow I managed to turn in the opposite direction in the middle of the night (I was later informed by the guy sleeping on the ground next to me that I kicked him in the back in the middle of the night. My guess is this occurred during the turning haha). With 31 of us sometimes crammed into tight areas you really have zero privacy and are practically sleeping on top of each other some nights. Anyways, we got ready, packed our bags and the trailer, had breakfast (pb&j on a bagel for me and coffee of course), and set off for Warren, PA which we were told was about 69 miles away.

The forcast for today said rain and they weren't kidding. First of all, the temperature in the morning was 53 degrees and it ended up not getting too much warmer throughout the day. I was freezing! And once it started raining, I was wet and freezing which is never a good combination. Mile 40 (after a couple long climbs up a mountain) led to a much needed lunch break. We all piled into the van and cranked on the heat. After a good half hour in there, a turkey sandwich, peanut butter sandwich, apple, and half a cliff bar later, I was starting to be able to feel my toes again. Everyone who was planning on finishing the ride had already left by this point except a few of us so we all gathered our courage, went outside and faced the wind, rain, and cold once again for the last 30 or so miles.

I actually had a ton of energy and my legs and butt were feeling really good today (maybe they were numb from the cold and I just couldn't feel the pain?) and I ended up leaving the two girls I was cycling with. I caught up with another two girls who gave me the final directions for the last 10 miles of the ride since I lost my cue sheet (directions the leaders make for us) in the rain when it got soaking wet in the terrential downpour and and pretty much fell apart. I passed them and kept going strong towards Warren, PA.

I made the first turn I was suppose to make just fine, but then missed the second one since the road I was looking for had a different name at the point where I was suppose to turn onto it. I ended up going about 2 miles past the turn when I was alone and realized I wasn't going the right direction. My cell phone hasn't been getting service for the past four days so I started getting scared that I was going to be lost, alone, and have no way of contacting anyone, but luckily when I turned my cell on I got service! (and about 15 texts and voicemails). I called someone for directions and was back on track again. I ended up getting to the YMCA in Warren where we are staying tonight and was really wet and cold, but so satisfied and proud to have made it and once again overcome more than I thought my body could physically or emotionally handle.

It's kind of sad when after an hour at the Y I really feel like I have been at a spa and pampered hahaha. They have a sauna here, which I layed in for a good half hour and it was amazing. Then I took a nice long hot shower which was also amazing. After that I plucked my eyebrows and used the blowdryer they had in the women's locker room, put some makeup on and I feel like a million bucks lol. I am anxiously awaiting dinner. It is our first time cooking one for ourselves and a few people are making burritos for everyone.

Tomorrow we ride to Franklin, PA (rumor is it's about 65 miles, but we will see). After that we cross into Ohio! We will be having a much needed day of rest from the saddle with a build day with the local Habitat in Akron, OH.

I'm having a unbelivable time so far and am amazed at how nice everyone on my trip is. People are so willing to share with each other, be flexible, and step up when things need to be done it's really cool to see so many young people like this. I am going to say though that sometimes the lack of privacy is overwhelming at some much needed alone time is needed, but overall I really am enjoying these people that I feel so close to after only a couple weeks. One of the leaders who did the central US B&B route last year was telling us the other day that when this is all over it will actually feel weird to shower, eat, sleep, or do pretty much any day to day activity alone at first since we really are together 24 hours a day 7 days a week right now haha. We will just have to wait and see...

PS - The weather forcast for tomorrow isn't looking much better than it was today. Supposedly 45 degrees (I thought it was summer?) and chances of showers... BOO