Spokes 2018: Sparknotes Edition

On our last night in DC, our team did an exercise. Without any outside help, we went through each day of the trip and recalled everything we could about that day– the ride, the host, the iconic memories. It took hours. It was shocking all that my team and I had remembered from this whole trip. From where we slept, to the food we ate that day, to a funny thing someone said, we remembered. I don't know of any other time in my life that I was able to do that. Ask me what I did 3rd week of spring quarter, I have no idea; ask me what Colby, Kansas was like, I would ask if you wanted the long or short version. It was an absolute privilege that I was able to do that. 

So, in the hopes that these memories will be kept alive years from now, welcome to the sparknotes version of Stanford Spokes 2018.

There were moments of pure kindness from strangers, now friends. 

Thank you to the following people and everyone else who helped us along the way or simply stopped to say hello. You made this summer such an incredible experience and we can't thank you enough. 

  • Pastor Cruz and Connie

  • Rose

  • Joan and Greg

  • Richard Dziuk

  • Julie Olson

  • Dan Nuffer

  • Zachary Cates

  • Byron, River, and Tara Ames

  • Melissa Hinton

  • Carrie and Russ

  • The Ptach's

  • Annie and Amy

  • Ann Franklin

  • John Randall

  • Peg Graber

  • Janet and Orvin

  • Matthew Brandes

  • David and Lori

  • Charlotte and the Wang family

  • Barbara and David Curtis

  • The Manda’s

  • Gary and Sue Rundbland

  • Jack Wides

  • Melissa Immel

  • Bill

  • Katie Wheatley

  • Jason Bowman

  • Sherry Spradlin

  • Tony Mattan

  • Francine Johnston

  • Gary and Mary

  • Zdenko

*click on pictures to swipe through

In addition to our beautiful friends, there were incredible views!

And whenever the summer heat got to be too much, there would always be water to cool us off!

Of course, after biking for so long, there were some slumps.

But our furry friends were always there to pick us up!

In the end, we biked through 9/10 states of America (depending on how you look at it)

Throughout the ride, there were many different places we would call home for the night.

Of course, this trip wouldn't be the same without the fantastic kids we had the pleasure of meeting at our workshops. We came to teach but left learning so much more. You guys made the trip worth it.

What do all these places, people, and moments add up to? One heck of a summer.

Thanks to all our friends and family who supported us along the way. Thanks to my amazing team for coming along for the ride. 

-Rachel