DAY 1: ATLANTIC BEACH, FL - GLEN ST. MARY, FL

Today, we started biking - we're now officially on our way to San Francisco. Lots of orientation games and meetings preceded during the last few days; I was happy to get going on the bike.

The funny thing? We biked 64 miles (or, we biked 61m to the next church and I managed to get lost and add on 3 miles), but we're still in Jacksonville, FL. A different suburb of course, but the thought that we biked all day and didn't manage to get out of the city we started in was a bit humorously disheartening, especially considering that the goal is to bike across the country (and why does our country have to be so big, anyway?!?).

The ride went well; I felt fine the whole time. I'm just kind of chilling in the mid-back section of our 32 member team, moving along at about 15-6 miles per hour. We have a long summer ahead; there is plenty of time to hammer, and I really don't want to blow out my legs on Day 1.

As you can see by the pictures in the previous few posts, we started the day at the Atlantic Ocean, submerging our rear wheel into the water and then taking off...the next time we or our bikes see the Ocean, it'll be on the other side of the country.

Today the highlight of the route was a pedestrian trail that we travelled on for almost 15 miles. It was gorgeous, tree covered with picture-perfect shade. I didn't stop and get a picture of it, but other people did as we were riding away. By the way, if you track me online, you should be able to also see the pictures that have been uploaded by everyone in the group, both on Facebook and the Bike and Build website. Pretty cool. I'm working on getting those links on the sidebar. I was informed of how to do it, but without consistent or speed-worthy internet service, it's harder to get it done.

I'm already eating a ridiculous amount; I came back from the ride and stuffed potato chips and chocolate chip cookies down my throat. I love being able to eat whatever I want, but I do want to maintain some degree of healthy eating habits along this trip; I need to be better about eating on the bike before I get hungry...

The cool news? The trip has been rerouted and we're now going to ride right through Lafayette and stop there for a night. My dad is going to cook everyone dinner, I believe, and I'm going to attempt to get us access to the pool at the health club. It'll be fun to maybe be able to sleep in my own bed for a night, but even more so, it'll be great to be able to show everyone here around town.

The people here are nice; despite that I'm a socially awkward loner, I'm starting to get used to everyone and everything. The first night I couldn't sleep at all (we're on sleeping bags on the floor and three different people had their heads within 2 feet of mine - it was just weird), but I have a feeling sleeping isn't going to be much of a problem now that we're on the road.

I felt more comfortable immediately upon take-off this morning; being stationary at a church with a bunch of people I didn't know felt odd, and getting on my bike made me feel more assured and at-home.

Not everything is perfect; I'm upset sometimes and I'm mad other times, and I don't understand much of anything, but all in all...I'm ready for a great summer.