A Trippy Transition

We did it. 

In the dreamy state that achieving a long-term goal brings forth, the team explored the seaside city of Santa Cruz. The downtown shopping area was loaded with people - well-adjusted and well-dressed people. Between here and San Francisco the previous day, these were some of the largest crowds I’ve been immersed in. Just two weeks earlier, we were staying in small desert towns in Oregon with populations ranging from 1 to 300. As the trip nears its close, the team jokes about the upcoming difficulties of adjusting to real life in the real world. But JD makes a great point on his blog that, “if we have learned anything it is that few things in this life are as real as riding a bicycle: the wind whipping your face, the sweat dripping down sunburned cheeks like teardrops.” By day 81, 28 Bike & Builders may appear chewed up and spit out: we’re covered in filth, sweat, dirt, faded temporary tattoos, Gatorade residue around the mouth, dead bugs in the sports bra, we’re in need of haircuts and fresh clothes, and we’re all too comfortable with peeing in public, snot-rocketing, showering on the sidewalk with a garden hose, and screaming “YEAHHH BIKE AND BUILD!!!” when sweep finally rolls into a quiet host. I don’t want to paint an idyllic image of the Bike & Build experience; the conditions are disgusting, but I’m always surprised by how adaptive people can be, and especially impressed by how this never dampens the team’s sense of humor. You could say we’re nomads who build homes, but this bubble of SC2SC’13 is quickly ending.

Santa Cruz has many musicians, artists, surfers, and baristas. It’s a California beach town in full swing for the Summer tourists. Downtown had many green businesses, sculptures, and street performers. Santa Cruz. Our ultimate destination was admittedly a bit hippie.

Sunday through Tuesday, but longer for other riders, marked a period of transition. Because each rider had their own departure date and time, it was a bit hectic making sure everyone says goodbye to everyone. We are finally able to sleep in without an alarm clock, and have no town presentation, route meeting, or chores to attend anymore. But maybe sleep can be postponed just a little bit longer, while everyone spends the time we have left together with each other. After our wheel dip, I don’t think the team was all together in the same room or area again, as family and friends had hotel rooms dinner reservations and arranged plans with their rider. Additionally, about half of the group went to San Francisco, but left Santa Cruz at different intervals, adding separation anxiety to the list of reasons why this transition time was more stressful than I’d hoped.