May 30- Friday morning we caught a mistake in the cue sheet just before the route meeting.  We used every resource from the host where we were and the host to where we were going, to GPS in our Host’s car.  We corrected, simplified, and photocopied directions.  The route turned out to be wonderful with only a few hills and manageable traffic.  Liz, Anne, and I decided to push it the first thirty miles till lunch.  We joined up with Beau, Dylan, and Janine and ate lunch at a Deli near the beginning of 516.  The sun and heat made the last few miles challenging.  The Host in Cinci had snacks for us around 4:30 and then dinner at 6:00, I was so full, it was amazing.  We also continued to snack on Oatmeal Blueberry Cookies that were mailed to us by Brian, one of the cyclists from VA Beach who joined us on our first ride to Suffolk.  That night some people went to a Reds game, some went bowling, while myself and a few others hung out at the church to make use of the internet access.  Recent highs would include the magic of Gold Bond and going through the town of Amelia (Hi Amelia!).  The group has adapted and responded well to cope with the loss of our support van while it is being repaired about thirty miles back.



May 31- Saturday we had an amazing breakfast, then to divide and conquer went to two different Cincinnati Habitat build sites.  The build site I was at took down scaffolding, put insulation in walls, and worked with concrete to repair a garage.  I enjoyed the sauna at the YMCA for the second day in a row and then headed back to the church.  Things take a slight turn for the worse here.  Sonya’s parents were visiting with their two dogs and I pet both the one in the parking lot and the one in the van.  As I backed out of the passenger side of the van I was bitten in the face.  I was rushed to the hospital and sewed up by a good doctor on the condition that I stay in Cinci so he could see me through my recovery.  Sonya, Sonya’s Parents- Laura and Ken, Andrew- one of my co-leaders, and Melinda- a member of our host church stayed with me at the hospital to comfort me. Frankly I was good till it was time for the needles to numb me up for the stitches.  Now I am staying with Sonya’s distant relatives and they are just about pampering me.




I saw the doctor again and scheduled to have my stitches removed next Tuesday June 10.  Hopefully after that he will release me from his watchful eye and I’ll be able to rejoin the group in Kansas City, Missouri next Wednesday.  At which point I will take it easy and be designated van driver for a while before biking again.  Over all I’m coping pretty well.  Yesterday Janine and Andrew drove four and a half hours to pick up the van.  Luckily I was between them and the van and quite happy to have visitors.  We multitasked: Janine stayed at my foster home and worked on the budget while Andrew and I got the van.  You’d think for the cost they would have washed it too.  Back at the Markovits’ we were packing lunches to go for Janine and Andrew when it started raining sideways.  So they stayed for dinner and we all had Thai food.  They left quite late but had a snack packed already for the long drive.  Also my foster dad insisted on them taking books on tape for the road.  Andrew declined and Janine took something by the same author as Sex and the City.  On the driveway before leaving we realized that the book on tape was actually CD so Andrew gave Janine the iPod and adapter and took the book on tape.