For all of you that would like to vicariously live a day on Bike & Build..Here’s your chance. Follow along and choose you own adventure.


The day starts like many before. Wake up far too early in a church that at this point becomes muddled. Ah yes..the Catholic church in Phillipsburg, KS. You awake to the surprisingly pleasant smell of breakfast being made for you! So far…life is good. Your belongings are crammed into a bag once again. You have filled your Camelback, gold bonded as appropriate, had a fated meeting with Reginald(our pump) and you are ready to hit the road. But wait the photojournalist among us, Lois, demands a group picture in front of the wheat field. Smile pretty and let the games begin.


Turn to page 12
Turn to page 13

Turn to page 14


Page 12. You head out with the front runners. Off to set a pace often mistaken with that of Olympians in Beijing.


Page 13. You’re begin peddling in a coma, knowing that eventually you will awake to find that have indeed found your way through 15 miles.


Page 14. You’ve got to be kidding. Way to kick of the day. Flat #1 and you haven’t even left the parking lot. Looks like you and Liz might have a long day.


A mild morning once again. You marvel at the wheat fields and once again recognize that Kansas is NOT flat. Conversation entertains and you dodge fresh pavement that promises to leave more tar on your tires than on the road. The breakfast burritos once so filling now seem like a thing of the past. Your thoughts turn to lunch. How many more chocolate mint Cliff bars can you eat? What mile are we at?


Turn to page 24
Turn to page 25


Page 24. Your search for coffee proves bountiful. Not only does Norton boast a prison, but a Town and Country diner. After endless miles with nothing, not even a gas station, surely this is a mirage…


Page 25. By specific calculations, lunch cannot be that far..right? Just keep peddling. I’m sure it’s over the next hill…


Turn to page 26.

Turn to page 27.


Page 26. Brilliant choice! Endless cups of coffee are only complimented by homemade pie. Lunch at 10:30 you might ask? Of course. You join Lois, Janine, Emily, and Laura a deluxe diner meal that will be talked about for days. P.S. The raspberry peach pie does not disappoint.


Page 27. Alas, the trailer. Tony…whatever shall I eat? On today’s menu the featured item-Nutella. A four course meal to follow… Banana with Nutella, graham cracker with Nutella, wheat bread with nutella, and of course desert…fingers in the jar-Nutella!


Onward for the next 35 miles. CUS ’07 never rode a day in the rain, however, this my friends is CUS 08. Being the storm troopers that we are, a 20% chance of rain may as well be a precipitation guarantee. You begin to notice the first signs of darkness ahead.


Turn page 50
Turn page 51

Turn to page 52
Turn to page 53


Page 50. You are the strong and steady type. Nothing can stop you from peddling and you head towards that ominous looking cloud with no hesitation. You meet up with Lois and ride straight through, not entirely sure why anyone stopped.


Page 51. Thinking you can outrun the storm, you put your head down and ride. Just when you think you’ve done it, you crest a hill to see black clouds looking certain to form a tunnel. Lightening in the distance makes Janine scream. You decide to join her Emily and Laura under a bridge, videotape a weather channel report, and realize that “zoo” smell coming from your hideout is in fact a nearby decaying animal carcass. Ahhh..rain or shine, it’s time to go!


Page 52. Always the charmer, you join Lee who has befriended a family of four from Denver. You have convinced them somehow to allow you, smelly, wet rider to hide out in there SUV as the storm passes.


Page 53. Rain plus dirt equals mud. You sprint with Eli, Sonya, Anna, Will, Nate and Colin to a storm bunker in the middle of the field. Thinking you have found shelter you soon realize that low lying field easily transforms into a muddy river.


All riders emerge squint eyed and confused, remniscent of munchkins after the wicked witch has left. Everyone finishes the day and is aptly rewarded with Christmas in June (mail drop!) and a signature UMC potluck dinner. Congratulations on completion of your Bike and Build day. Join us tomorrow for a half way mark celebration. The “Fun Committee” promises memorable festivities!