still work to be done

at the beginning of this trip, dr. timmermans asked me if i could say a few words when we got to trinity. i had been rolling over ideas because, well, lets face it, there isn't much else to do during the day besides pedaling and thinking. i looked forward to riding into palos heights, but i was apprehensive of staying at home because i knew how hard it would be to mentally get back on the road the next morning. i knew i'd feel that i had reached my destination, but in reality still had a third of the way. after mentally turning down several bad jokes and forcing myself to leave out cycling puns, i was left with what was really on my mind for the past several weeks. i realized when i reached home i wouldn't want to leave again but there would still be work to be done. similarly, when we reach jersey city, we think we'll be done with the tour; we'll all go home, put the bike away, hang up the spandex and don the ties again, and return to our normal routine. but our work still won't be over. this tour is a stepping point for everyone involved (not just the cyclists either) to continue in the life of restoring eden and fighting for justice everywhere. the work isn't over--ride on!

SAG draft

coming out of sioux center, iowa, it was a cold, rainy morning. the rain streaked my glasses, blurring my vision, so i went without. my jacket made me sweat so i ditched it and i figured i'd warm up if i picked up the pace a bit. as the SAG vehicle passed it slowed down so our photographer could take some shots for the banner. when the van sped up again, i seized my chance, clicked it up a gear and was swept away behind the pull of the draft. if any of you have ever surfed or body surfed, drafting is a similar sensation where a surge of power pushes you along with little effort. this picture was taken at 40 mph. i couldn't help but grin.

crop dusting

this is farming at its most exciting.

(no chemicals were released during the making of this film.)

tent stakes

for those experienced campers, you'd shake your head at some of the novice wilderness trekkers on this trip.  as anyone who has spent a night in a tent in a storm would know, proper staking of the tent is vital to a sound night of sleep.  well, after two separate storms, people still haven't learned that your tent will blow away without the proper tether, even if you and your gear are still inside.  (i wish i had a picture of the tents strewn about the site after a good gust, but i was too busy lending a hand... and laughing to snap a shot.)

first century

to wrap up week three we rode from willard to park city, utah, a distance of roughly 95 miles.  however, my bike computer clocked it in about 106 miles, with a ride time just under 6 hours.  to add to it, the last 30 miles or so we had to climb two mountain passes and a final ascent to get to our camp site.  it was a good day.  this next week we will be crossing into colorado and end up in denver, making some familiar stops along the way in steamboat springs and winter park.

start of week three

we've made it into week three and things are going well.  we've gone through larger cities and some very small towns (pop. 30), all of which we've been warmly received by the cafes and bars, otherwise known as "christian bookstores" by people on the tour.  this week we'll be heading south to salt lake city further into the heat and strenuous climbing.  pray for our health and tell someone about the purpose of this tour. ride on!

week one: seattle to kennewick, wa

this past week was tremendous, full of ups and downs (literally and figuratively) and there is much to be thankful for. day one was full of anticipaiton and celebration before we got on the road. however, i was the first recipient of the tour's flat tire count, getting a mere 2 miles down the road. day two started out with an easy 20 mile ride the the northwest rainforests with several swollen rivers interspersed. then we started to climb. it was another 20 miles until the summit of stevens pass, and what a feet that was. i pushed myself harder than i should have, and when i made it to the summit i slept for an hour or two... i'm not exactly sure of the time, but i woke with a nasty sunburn on my eyelids. day three was a great descent down the canyon, going next to an overfilled river with ominous rapids but it offered refreashing a cool misty breeze. day four blew. i was picked up by our RV SAG driver walter around mile 20 because a terrible pain in my knee, probablly from two days of hard climbing. day five was a rest day for me, another trip with walter helped to heal the knees. and what a help it was. day six, saturday, back in the saddle again, everything felt great. i took it easy at first, but once i was warm and stretched out i pushed myself a bit and the knee never felt better. day seven, our day of rest, was filled with activity. we had a big reception from our three host churches and gorged on a mass banquet of NON DUTCH food which was a surprise. despite the unfortunate knee strain the first week went well. no major accidents, but several falls and damaged egos.

look for me this summer!

This summer I'm biking across the country from coast to coast (Seattle to Jersey City) with 200 other riders as a part of the Sea to Sea Bike Tour 2008, sponsored by the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. The goal is to end the cycle of poverty by spreading the word across the country. Aside from speaking each week at celebration rallies in designated cities, I hope to post a weekly blog about the events of the week; pictures, stories of triumphs, and tales of close encounters with wildlife. Since I'll average over 450 miles a week, forgive me if I seem confused or disjointed. Look up the Sea to Sea tour map and if we're coming to a town near you, let me know. Honks and hoots will be much appreciated. for more on the cause or to give a donation, go to http://www.seatosea.org/.