Ride of a Lifetime

Trip Highlights

rideofalifetime — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:22:23 +0000

Trip Highlights

On the beach with Amy the night before send-off - Virginia Beach, VA - May 20, 2009

Sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay with Amy and Cristian, hometown friends - Virginia Beach, VA - May 21, 2009

Send-off ceremony - Virginia Beach, VA - May 21, 2009

Rider silhouettes - Virginia Beach, VA - May 21, 2009

Dipping my back wheel in the Atlantic - Virginia Beach, VA - May 21, 2009

Vickie, Amy, and Cristian, hometown friends who came for my send-off - Virginia Beach, VA - May 21, 2009

Breaking in Scottsville en route to Charlottesville, VA - May 25, 2009

En route to Charlottesville, VA - May 25, 2009

Riding through the fog on Blue Ridge Parkway from Charlottesville to Lexington, VA - May 27, 2009

Crest of the Blue Ridge - May 27, 2009

Bald Mountain Overlook - May 27, 2009

Exploring a footbridge - May 28, 2009

Crossing from Virginia into West Virginia - May 28, 2009

Downtown - Marlinton, WV - May 28, 2009

Stopping for a drink en route to Summersville, WV - May 29, 2009

Riding in the rain - May 29, 2009

En route from Charleston, WV to Huntington, WV - May 31, 2009

Crossing from West Virginia into Ohio - June 1, 2009

Side trip into Kentucky - June 2, 2009

Building in Cincinnati, OH - June 4, 2009

After giving Nick a haircut - Cincinnati, OH - June 4, 2009

En route to Columbus, IN - June 5, 2009

Improvised state line - June 5, 2009

Catnap - June 5, 2009

Saying farewell before hitting the road - June 5, 2009

Breaking in Nashville en route to Bloomington, IN - June 6, 2009

Persimmon pudding, apple crisp, cinnamon swirls, fried biscuits, and cinnamon bread - June 6, 2009

Cooling off in the fountain - Bloomington, IN - June 6, 2009

En route from Terre Haute, IN to Effingham, IL - June 8, 2009

En route to Greensville, IL - June 9, 2009

Crossing the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge into Missouri - June 10, 2009

Traversing the mighty Mississippi - June 10, 2009

Crossing from Illinois into Missouri - June 10, 2009

Missouri state sign - June 10, 2009

Gateway to the west - St. Louis, MO - June 11, 2009

After jumping off a bridge into the Missouri River - June 13, 2009

First century from Sedalia to Kansas City, MO - June 15, 2009

Crossing from Missouri into Kansas - June 17, 2009

6:39 PM, 97 degrees - Manhattan, KS - June 18, 2009

Wind farm - June 21, 2009

En route from Clay Center to Beloit, KS - June 21, 2009

Windmill - June 21, 2009

Fields of gold - June 21, 2009

Haystack en route from Phillipsburg to Oberlin, KS - June 23, 2009

On the road at 6:27 AM - June 24, 2009

Crossing from Kansas into Colorado - June 25, 2009

Reliving an hour - June 25, 2009

En route to Lindon, CO - June 25, 2009

Taking it in - June 25, 2009

Bison - June 26, 2009

Ominous skies en route to Denver, CO - June 26, 2009

Before the tornado - June 26, 2009

Downtown markets - Denver, CO - June 27, 2009

Day off with Brian at Cherry Creek Lake - Denver, CO - June 28, 2009

Hiking with my college friend Joan - Boulder, CO - June 29, 2009

On the trail with Joan and Gideon - Boulder, CO - June 29, 2009

Reveling in our climb - Boulder, CO - June 29, 2009

Downtown at night - Boulder, CO - June 29, 2009

En route from Boulder to Estes Park, CO - June 30, 2009

Riding through rock from Boulder to Estes Park, CO - June 30, 2009

Peak to Peak Byway - June 30, 2009

Longs Peak at 14,256 ft. - June 30, 2009

In front of Longs Peak - June 30, 2009

Ready to climb - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Making progress - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Looking out - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Rehydrating - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Snow-capped peaks - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

High on a Rocky Mountain - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Looking out - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Elk family - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Trail Ridge Road at 12,005 ft. - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Celebration at the summit - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Taking over the Trail Ridge Store & Cafe - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

The descent - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Crossing the Continental Divide - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Mountain lake - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Elk - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - July 1, 2009

Leaving Grand Lake, CO - July 2, 2009

Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa - Hot Sulphur Springs, CO - July 2, 2009

En route to Steamboat Springs, CO - July 3, 2009

Riding through Rabbit Ears Pass - July 3, 2009

Crossing the Continental Divide through Rabbit Ears Pass - July 3, 2009

Ready to descend - July 3, 2009

Descending into Steamboat Springs, CO - July 3, 2009

Downtown - Steamboat Springs, CO - July 3, 2009

Live music at Ghost Ranch Saloon with Sarah - Steamboat Springs, CO - July 3, 2009

Measuring at the build site outside Steamboat Springs, CO - July 4, 2009

Digging a ditch - July 4, 2009

Stretching with Dana - July 4, 2009

Pickaxing - July 4, 2009

Cowboys at the rodeo - Steamboat Springs, CO - July 4, 2009

Calf roping - Steamboat Springs, CO - July 4, 2009

Rodeo with Sarah - Steamboat Springs, CO - July 4, 2009

Fireworks - July 4, 2009

En route to Maybell, CO - July 5, 2009

Camping in Maybell, CO - July 5, 2009

En route to Vernal, UT - July 6, 2009

The road ahead - July 6, 2009

Dinosaur National Monument - July 6, 2009

Crossing from Colorado into Utah - July 6, 2009

En route to Vernal, UT - July 6, 2009

Sunbaked stone - July 6, 2009

En route to Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Utah sun - July 7, 2009

The ascent ahead - July 7, 2009

And by four, they meant nine - July 7, 2009

Top of the climb - July 7, 2009

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area - July 7, 2009

Descending into Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

The base of the gorge - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Swimming with Sarah to Osprey Island - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

On the rocks of Osprey Island - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Backbends on the dock - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

View of the reservoir - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Flaming Gorge Dam with Osprey Island in the distance - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Arch Dam Campground - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Sunset over the juniper trees - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Campfire - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 7, 2009

Waking up to the moon - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 8, 2009

Desert plateau and sagebrush - Flaming Gorge, UT - July 8, 2009

Crossing from Utah into Wyoming - July 8, 2009

Wrangling my bike - July 8, 2009

En route to Rock Springs, WY - July 8, 2009

Lunch stop - July 8, 2009

Second century from Rock Springs to Pinedale, WY - July 9, 2009

Day full of flats - July 10, 2009

Wildflowers en route to Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Following the Hoback River - July 10, 2009

En route to Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Barbecue at the Ambler's - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Camping at the Ambler's with the Tetons in the distance - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

View from the backyard - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Sunset - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Hummingbird - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Dusk - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Firepit - Jackson Hole, WY - July 10, 2009

Lifting fog at 7:12 AM - Jackson Hole, WY - July 11, 2009

Longhorn cattle - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 11, 2009

Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 11, 2009

Moose - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 11, 2009

Moose antlers - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 11, 2009

Sunrise at 5:21 AM - Jackson Hole, WY - July 12, 2009

After climbing Teton Pass - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 12, 2009

Celebratory lick - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 12, 2009

Top of Teton Pass - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 12, 2009

Preparing for the descent - Grand Teton National Park, WY - July 12, 2009

Crossing from Wyoming into Idaho - July 12, 2009

State line high five - July 12, 2009

Patchwork fields en route to Idaho Falls, ID - July 12, 2009

EBR-1 World's First Nuclear Power Plant - July 14, 2009

Downtown - Arco, ID - July 14, 2009

En route to Challis, ID - July 15, 2009

Willow Creek Summit - July 15, 2009

Riding in the back of a pickup - Challis, ID - July 15, 2009

Baby goat - Challis, ID - July 15, 2009

Milking a goat - Challis, ID - July 15, 2009

Milking a cow - Challis, ID - July 15, 2009

Camping at Sawtooth Valley Pioneer Park - Stanley, ID - July 16, 2009

Sawtooth Mountains - Stanley, ID - July 16, 2009

Dusk - Stanley, ID - July 16, 2009

Dusk over the Sawtooths - Stanley, ID - July 16, 2009

Sunset - Stanley, ID - July 16, 2009

Ponderosa pine forest en route to Idaho City, ID - July 17, 2009

Soaking up the sun before jumping in the Payette River - July 17, 2009

The climb continues - July 17, 2009

Picking apricots - July 20, 2009

Cornfield - July 20, 2009

Sights set on Cannon Beach - July 20, 2009

En route to Ontario, OR - July 20, 2009

En route to Unity, OR - July 21, 2009

Life off the bike - Unity, OR - July 21, 2009

En route to John Day, OR - July 22, 2009

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - July 24, 2009

En route to Fossil, OR - July 24, 2009

Summit of Butte Creek Pass after a long climb - July 24, 2009

Early morning in Fossil, OR - July 25, 2009

En route to Maupin, OR - July 25, 2009

Climbing switchbacks - July 25, 2009

En route to Maupin, OR - July 25, 2009

5 miles into the ride, 95 miles to go, and Mt. Hood looming in the distance - July 26, 2009

Approaching Mt. Hood - July 26, 2009

Mt. Hood National Forest - July 26, 2009

En route to Portland, OR - July 26, 2009

Climbing Mt. Hood - July 26, 2009

The descent begins - July 26, 2009

Riding from Portland to the Washington state sign on our day off - July 27, 2009

103 degrees in downtown Portland - July 27, 2009

Last route meeting - Vernonia, OR - July 29, 2009

Costal Range Summit - July 29, 2009

Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

The finish line - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Dipping my front tire in the Pacific - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Family on the beach - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Hugs - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Reception - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Receiving my certificate - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

"This certificate is presented to Laura Palescandolo who, on the twenty-ninth day of July in the year two thousand nine, completed a transcontinental bicycle journey across the United States in the service of providing affordable housing and is hereby recognized for her outstanding accomplishment and service with respect, admiration, and appreciation."

Reception - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Final goodbyes - Cannon Beach, OR - July 29, 2009

Morning mist - Cannon Beach, OR - July 30, 2009

Sunny skies - Cannon Beach, OR - July 30, 2009

Beautiful Haystack Rock - Cannon Beach, OR - July 30, 2009

Salt Water Never Tasted So Sweet

rideofalifetime — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:40:55 +0000

Salt Water Never Tasted So Sweet

The bike trip is over. It took 3,865 miles, 72 days, 14 states, 3 centuries, 1 tornado, an ocean of sweat, elevation gains equal to an Everest or two, max speeds of 47.5 mph, and an ever-evolving infinity of little towns and landscapes – but I have pedaled coast-to-coast across the North American continent.

If my lack of updates is any indication, cycling across the United States was the best decision I could have ever made. To grab hold of life and inject it with a totally unique and epic adventure was my way of taking the road less traveled. Instead of passing other people’s tests in life, I designed and passed my own test, day after day, and in that there is a resonating and enduring satisfaction.

Rolling over on my thermarest at 4:00 AM and knowing my only job for the day was to clip in and ride was reassuring. Two hours later I would be on the road to see the day evolve into a bounty of simple pleasures. From the sculpted stone to the sunbaked colors to the yawning canyons to the frosted mountains, I became completely and hopelessly enamored with this rugged existence. Even in scaling the broiling asphalt with gravity and headwinds impelling me backwards, my obsession swelled. With each challenge came the reward of completion, usually embodied in boisterous celebration and miles of descent, and only the hardest of challenges rendered the worthiest rewards.

I have now returned to my former life of navigating New York City subway crowds and trading cue sheets for cross-streets. The notion of staying in one place for more than a day is unfamiliar and defies the laws of momentum. One of the many things I will miss about Bike & Build is being the total dictator of my days. On the road, no one tells you what to be or who to be. You are challenged and pushed only as hard as you are willing to challenge and push yourself. Sure, making the grade on that history final felt fleetingly good at the time, but climbing the grade up and over Trail Ridge Road felt amazing then, feels amazing now, and will continue to feel amazing forever.

So until I hit the road again, I will be pedaling in my dreams and reliving the agonies and ecstasies of this crazy cross-country cycling adventure.

Moving Westward

rideofalifetime — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:47:22 +0000

Moving Westward

Internet access is limited but I am already well into Ohio, having ridden through Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky (for a grand total of thirty seconds). Today we rode seventy-five miles from Portsmouth, OH to Georgetown, OH in 90+ degree weather; it was a great ride and has left me fully ready for a good night’s rest.

Orientation, Day One

rideofalifetime — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:21:39 +0000

Orientation, Day One

Today marked my first full day in Virginia Beach and the first day of orientation at The First Presbyterian Church. The day was spent getting to know my fellow cyclists, learning more about what the days ahead will hold, and hearing from two alumni their experiences on their respective routes. I enjoyed listening to the highs and lows of their treks and am further excited to be commencing this epic journey.

Last Day at Work

rideofalifetime — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:04:04 +0000

Last Day at Work

A special thanks to my wonderful colleagues who made my last day (until returning) memorable. Roger treated us to a raw food feast with some of my favorites: whole pineapple, blueberries, corn on the cob, dates, tomatoes, peanuts, and LäraBars. Everyone signed a card with thoughtful and heartfelt messages. Later in the afternoon, we celebrated with wine and cheese. I could not ask to work with better people. I will carry with me their support, generosity, and altruistic spirits.

Reading My Card

Post Raw Party / Wine & Cheese Party

Farewell Until August

Mail Drops

rideofalifetime — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:36:25 +0000

Mail Drops

For anyone wishing to send me love notes, care packages, and other such motivational missives on the road, visit http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/2755 and select Mail Drops. I have also included the dates below:

May 28th: Day 10 of 72
419 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
819 4th Avenue
Marlinton, WV 24954

June 3rd: Day 16 of 72
763 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
670 Northland Blvd.
Cincinnati, OH 45240

June 18th: Day 31 of 72
1,600 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
500 Leavenworth Street
Manhattan, KS 66502

June 25th: Day 38 of 72
2,022 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
250 F Avenue
Limon, CO 80828

July 2nd: Day 45 of 72
2,322 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
701 Park Avenue
Kremmling, CO 80459

July 9th: Day 52 of 72
2,771 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
413 Pine Street
Pinedale, WY 82941

July 16th: Day 59 of 72
3,154 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
36 Ace of Diamonds Blvd.
Stanley, ID 83278

July 23rd: Day 66 of 72
3,501 / 3,857 miles completed
Mail Drop:
145 E Franklin Avenue
Dayville, OR 97825

Riding With My Uncle

rideofalifetime — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:33 +0000

Riding With My Uncle

Thanks to my uncle for sharing his cycling expertise and offering guidance amidst my final preparations. This evening we attached my clipless pedals, made some minor adjustments, and went for a short ride.

Ready to Install the Clipless Pedals

Clipping in for the First Time

Mother / Daughter

Ready to Ride

And We're Off

Volunteering with Paterson Habitat for Humanity

rideofalifetime — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:21:49 +0000

Volunteering with Paterson Habitat for Humanity

Last Saturday I awoke at 6:15 AM to be in Paterson by 7:45 AM where I would spend the day drilling, sawing, and nailing in an effort to fulfill my Bike & Build sweat equity requirement (eight hours volunteering with an affordable housing organization). Paterson Habitat is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International which builds houses in an effort to eliminate poverty housing. Since its inception in 1984, Paterson Habitat has built 204 houses for qualified low-income families with private donations from individuals, churches, and businesses and support from a strong volunteer base. Volunteers range from students and co-workers to skilled tradesman and…Bike & Build riders. A woman among four men, I was shown what to do and went right to work — installing door frames, unscrewing hinges, cutting paneling on the miter saw, installing baseboards, and nailing window panes. Below are a few photos I snapped during the group’s lunch break:

Front of House

Back of House

First Floor with Door Frames Installed

First Floor with Door Paneling to be Installed

Doors Unhinged and Varnished

Sweat Equity Complete!

Training at Liberty State Park

rideofalifetime — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:06:54 +0000

Training at Liberty State Park

Liberty State Park, NJ - March 14, 2009

Random Act of Kindness

rideofalifetime — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:25:32 +0000

Random Act of Kindness

Each day I continue to be astounded by the outreach and support I receive. Below is the correspondence I shared with one of several donors whom I have never met:

Hi Bryan!

I saw your donation posted under my Bike & Build account and I cannot seem to place you. I see you live in NYC — do I know you from working in the city? Living in NJ? Going to school in CT? A family friend perhaps? Maybe I don’t know you at all and you are simply a generous supporter of the Bike & Build mission.

Either way, thank you for your generosity and outreach! Hopefully you can help me place the face (and I apologize for not knowing)!

Laura

Hi Laura,

Apologies for the long delay in getting back to you. Your e-mail was languishing in my spam folder — apparently you can’t trust those AOL people…at least according to Yahoo. : ) But I received your letter and checked for an e-mail as well.

On to the question at hand — how do you know me? I’m tempted to evoke memories of that quaint bar we met at in Sardegna…but really, we’ve never met. I came upon your Bike & Build site purely by happenstance. I was cruising around the net one morning and was on the Habitat site (I actually just worked on a build site in Brooklyn last Saturday) and then found a link to Bike & Build — which seemed interesting as I enjoy biking too — and then I stumbled upon your site. And I thought a little random act of kindness might be nice…except it wasn’t that random since you have my name and e-mail. But I hope you appreciate the thought regardless. : )

If you don’t mind, I’d like to be in the loop on your travels. You are leaving in just a couple months, right? We did flooring at the Brooklyn Habitat site on Saturday and my hindquarters are still sore. I wouldn’t want to imagine riding eighty miles the next day…

Take care,

Bryan