Yes! Finally back on the bike! I know that may sound dramatic but yesterday was a tough day and I am so ready to be moving on my own two wheels again with no other concerns. Kind of selfish, I know, but I needed a mental recovery day and a 70 mile ride is the perfect trick.
Jake was originally on Team Seattle 2014 but he tore his ACL and was unable to join us this summer. He will be joining the team next summer but his family was kind enough to open their house up to the 24 of us for two nights. Jake and his family are incredible and I am so glad we were able to stay with them for 2 days. His mom, Pam, and dad, Mike, as well as his two siblings, Joe and Angela, were so welcoming, kind, and engaged with us – it was a real treat. We were so early, neither the host van nor the water van had arrived so we did the only thing we could do. We went swimming! Yes, they had a pool and it was the best thing at that moment. Cool and refreshing! Soon enough another team joined us as well as the host van and we began getting to work setting up tents, unpacking, and putting bikes away. My body wash had exploded in my bag so I had quite a bit of cleaning up to do but a shower made me feel better. We had a delicious dinner with salad, watermelon, chicken, and pasta salad and everyone was hanging out. Unfortunately, Elli’s ankle was not doing well and Kyle wasn’t feeling better since his fall so they were going to get checked out. We left Chey and Kyle at the immediate care and Elli and I went to a different hospital but found out Kyle also had to go to the hospital for some more tests so we went back and all went to the hospital together. While Elli and Kyle were being taken care of, Chey and I met the craziest woman in the waiting room! She was saying some of the most absurd things and I was trying so hard not to laugh. She finally left and we died laughing. Finally, we were able to go see Kyle in the back. Elli soon joined us and we got ready to leave (time check: 1:30 AM).
Back at the host, most people are asleep and we are preparing to join them. I strung my hammock between two trees and am so excited to curl up and go to sleep! Too tired to blog and I’m not sure if there is internet anyways…can’t wait for the rest day tomorrow!
