Time for reunions....

The excitement is building - tomorrow we ride into Grand Rapids from Grand Haven. Today already so many visitors have come to see friends, family, etc. etc. All along the route today were strangers welcoming us in - neat to see the support along the way. Thursday morning we left Chesterton, Indiana just after 7:00 a.m. knowing that we would lose an hour during the day and we had 133 km to go so we had to keep going. We did stop in New Buffalo for a "latte" around coffee time and from there kept on pedaling all the way to South Haven. The last 40 km were with a strong head wind so we were very tired by the time we got to camp just after 5:00. Rita did have another flat tire yesterday and we had the bike turned over, the rear wheel off when a very kind young gentleman named Reuben stopped to see if we needed help - we said yes and within 10 minutes we were back on the road. What a relief for us since time was getting on and we still needed to travel a few kms. This day we traveled along the shores of Lake Michigan. Met up with a cousin, Sarah Boonstra-Boer who is heading up the welcoming committee in Grand Rapids - she has an enormous job trying to organize food, billets, camping, spa arrangements and many other treats for the cyclists.

Sarah was at camp again tonight with her whole family helping make supper which was being supplied by CRHM and I met up with her again. This morning, Joe's cousin, John Karsten was at Graafschap church to welcome me and make arrangements for coming to the CRC Conference grounds to bring us to his home for a sleepover. Just as we were leaving Graafschap Church this morning we see Joe and Peter drive in - talk about coincidence! We saw them for a few minutes and then Rita and I were off again to continue our ride. We knew they would catch up with us again soon. All the cyclists made Graafschap their first refreshment stop today - a lovely lunch was had by all before most of us went downstairs to see the museum they have put into the basement of their new building for all to see showing the history of the CRC in America. This is the oldest congregation. Very impressive display....

We did go through downtown Holland with a mission - someone told us we had to go to the peanut store and have a "peanut padded bar" which is their specialty and it went down very well - nice downtown area - too bad we didn't have more time to explore it better.

Rita and I arrived at camp just after 3:00 today - the earliest ever and we had 78.7 kms on our bikes. We could see Lake Michigan but the air temperature did not lure us in. Some did but did not last long in the water. Beautiful location for a conference ground....

Was standing by my bike just eating a peanut butter and jam sandwich when all of a sudden 4 people said, are you Margaret DeWeerd and here were 2 couples we have worked with on a DRS assignment, George and Grace Couperous from Trenton, ON and George and Annette Meyerink from Byron Centre, MI - it's a small world out there. I also have 4 siblings + spouses who arrived in GR today. My brother, Wally, is cycling with me tomorrow and possibly a few days next week and an aunt and a cousin and a neice have all come to GR as well and will be staying at the home of one of my other cousins who has moved to Texas - we all hope to get together for brunch on Sunday morning at my uncle and aunt's home - should be fun.

We have been told that an extra 130 riders will be joining the 145 riders on tour now for the ride into Grand Rapids and we will all meet about a mile out and ride onto campus en mass - should be very exciting but also a bit nerve racking.....and we've also been told that there will be 11 stops along the way at CRC churches for snacks on the route which is only 76 kms. long - we'll be rolling into camp if we eat at each of the stops...

I must get back to our hosts - was only going to be a few minutes on the computer and it's been more than a few - my load of laundry is almost dry and it's getting real close to bedtime - am tired tonight and there is one more day of cycling this week.

The Church at Street Level....

Well this morning we left Trinity College - were sent off with a blessing by a local Chicago minister. He likened us as being the church at Street Level - thought this was a unique name for us. He shared Psalm 122 with us in regards to this. This was a morning celebration instead of an evening one.

Since it was such a busy area that we were leaving today, it was suggested that we leave in groups and stay together at least until we are out in the country a ways. Our leader was Aaron - a Trinity College student who knew the area really well and he led us out and we had Bill Wybenga as our sweep so we really moved this morning - once we had our lunch stop we told the guys to leave and we could find our own way in. Travelling on city roads in single file does not give you a lot of chance to see what's around you - you are always keeping track of the bike tire in front of you wanting to not hit it. Once the group visited the Roseland Christian Ministries Centre in Roseland, Aaron took us to a part of the city that was famous for the Chicago Fire and the area that ...........Pullman tried to set up his utopia. Can't remember all the details he told us...

From there we headed to the church in Highland, Indiana where we were fed royally for lunch. We are not lacking in the food department and it will get busier the closer we get to Grand Rapids and then into Canada.

Rita and I got into camp by 4:30 and another area CRC supplied us with all kinds of freshly baked goodies so we had to sample some of them as well. We put 99.50 kilometers on our bikes today. Tomorrow we cross the state line into Michigan - we lose an hour somewhere along the way too so it will be a long day for us - the only perk is that it won't be dark so fast tomorrow night. It's only 8:30 and it's pitch dark already - I'm sitting outdoors with my miner's lamp on trying to type this blog on Ed's laptop - forgive me any mistakes, it's a bit hard typing with the computer on my lamp etc. etc.


Rita and I reached the mid point of our part of the trip today - 2 1/2 weeks of our 5 week commitment - at this point I have put over 1500 kms on my bike.....feels really good....

One of the sag drivers keeps getting Rita and I confused so he calls us the "Margaritas" and each day promises us a margarita at his stop - to date he hasn't delivered yet - always has an excuse that it's before lunch yet and on and on he goes. We've been asked by quite a few people if we are sisters.......sometimes we tell people we are.

Well the mosquitos are getting the best of me and I do have a few things to do yet to get ready for tomorrow. We've been warned that this is coon country so will have to store some things in the gear truck if I don't want visitors in my tent over night. Good night all

Illinois today, Indiana tomorrow......

We arrived at Trinity Christian College today - it was a ride with a lot of challenges - we were on a bike path for 60 km. but it was a little confusing at times. The route changed course here and there and there was construction so many of the cyclists did more than the listed 60 km. One cyclist added 30 km to his ride and visited Wheaton, Illinois on the way. We won't mention any names in case he does not write about it on his own blog. Rita, Dora and myself added 8 km to our trip today.

Once we got off the trail it was very busy traffic along the route - we all arrived safely so that's the main point. Construction and fresh tar and oil also played havoc with the cyclists. Supper was a rushed affair once we got in because our hosts were there to meet us who wanted billeting. Rita and I chose to do this in order to sleep on a real bed tonight and the other luxuries that come with being in a home. There is a very good chance that a thunder storm hits tonight as well so I think we made a very good choice. Randy and Nancy are our hosts tonight and will bring us back to Trinity first thing in the morning.

Yesterday's ride was wonderful - started off a bit cool first thing in the morning but warmed up very quickly. We did cycle into Illinois already yesterday along some quiet roads and saw lots of lush farmlands. The CRC in Delavan treated us to a "hot lunch" which made us very lazy and wishing for a nap but there wasn't time for that - we had some kilometers to go yet.

Tomorrow we have 2 choices of routes - some locals who were cycling with us have plans to show us where some of the first CRC churches were but had to close because of racial violence - there is quite the history lesson to be had and we have chosen to take this alternate route. Please pray for the cyclists as we get into some very heavy traffic areas.

This is it for today - I still have to shower and the laundry has to get started as well and we have to be good guests........

Mid West Hospitality

It's Sunday afternoon - we've had the most awesome reception here in Madison. The people here have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome. I have just had a foot massage and they feel wonderful now - being clipped in makes your feet feel very tired at the end of the day.

I have had my first lesson on doing bike maintenance today as well - you stand there with your bike and pretend you know what you are doing and others will offer advice. I have some plastic gloves with me to keep my hands clean (a real women thing) but I did see a man doing the same thing so I wasn't the only one trying to keep my hands clean. Riding on wet roads does make the chain gritty and dirty. Some of the cyclists spend time every day cleaning their bikes - Joe cleaned my bike in Denver and I did oil it once since. It was long overdue to attend to my bike.

Last night I did choose to sleep indoors - the mosquitos were bad and it was dropping down to below 60 so we found some couches in the youth area and bunked down there for the night. Will repeat that again tonight so I will not have to pack up a wet tent in the morning. Only 5 more sleeps in the tent before Joe comes to Grand Rapids with the trailer - can't wait. When I spoke to him yesterday he asked if I was more excited about him coming or the trailer. Of course I told him I loved him and was looking forward to him coming.

The celebration service this morning was great - a good time of praise and worship followed by a good message and then we were fed an awesome lunch. The services have been following the fruits of the spirits in their themes. Today's was on "Faithfulness" - good to have heard.

This was the message painted on the front doors of the church welcoming us yesterday afternoon.


Others are waiting to use the church computer so I will sign off for today.....

Beautiful End To The Longest Two Weeks...

Well the longest and the hardest two weeks are over....we woke up to rain at 4:30 a.m. today and it rained steady until 6:00 a.m. so needless to say we packed up wet tents this morning. By the time breakfast was over the rain had stopped and we could start getting ready to go on the road. What to wear today - start with rain gear or not. Rita and I took a long time deciding and didn't leave until just after 8:00 all decked out in our rain gear. After about 1 hour of cycling on wet roads we came to dry roads and stripped off the rain gear. We did have cloud cover for a while but eventually the sun came out and we had a great cycling day doing 118 km and arrived in camp at the CRC in Madison, Wisconsin. The temperature was in the high 70's - just great for cycling. Once again we are being treated royally.....all kinds of services are being offered to us. Most of us just want to veg out at camp this weekend - it's been a tough week.

My odometre reads 1150 km since Denver.....this covers 9 days of cycling out of the 12 scheduled one.....I did take yesterday off - was under the weather and slept most of the way to camp riding with the nurse in her motor home. I did wake up in time to cross the bridge crossing the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. The scenery stays the same as what we left in Iowa - lush green farms and rolling hills. The hills are getting easier to climb - must be getting stronger with all the cycling.......really does feel good doing the pedaling......sure gives you an appetite and the cooks have done up some excellent meals - they do work very hard to feed the lot of us.

Must relate a funny story of what happened last week - one of the first days after we started Rita had a flat tire so the five of us, damsels in distress, who were cycling together stopped at the side of the road and turned her bike over. Before we knew it, 4 gentlemen stopped and asked if we needed help so of course we said yes and they did all the work. Another group of cyclists cycled by and asked, "how many North Americans does it take to change a flat?" The ladies on tour have found out that if they stand by their bike and look flustered, there will be someone who comes up and offers their help.

Hopefully sometime this weekend I will find someone who will help me download some pictures - tonight I have my camera with me but no cord and the person who was sitting beside me, his cord did not work on my camera. Pictures will not do justice to what we are seeing but will give you an idea. There are lots of pictures posted.

The movie next door is over and Ed would like to make a few calls yet so I will sign off for now.

Have a great weekend....we have another worship celebration tomorrow morning...looking forward to that.

Perspective

Tuesday night we were the guests of Dordt College and we basked in luxury. Before going to bed that night I did stop by the computer room yet and read some of the blogs posted by fellow cyclists. I chose to read Bill W's blog from Monday and he brought back to reality what this trip is all about. I have written about how tough some of the rides have been, the wind from the wrong directions, etc. etc. He stopped me in my tracks and made me realize how blessed I really am. We still have choices and lots of them. Those we are hoping to help in dire circumstances do not have choices as to where to sleep, what to eat, what to wear, etc. etc. This sure helped me to focus on Wednesday when we had a tough day ahead of us. We were all up already and getting our gear back onto the gear truck when all of a sudden we had a down pour - just what we needed on a super long day. By the time we had been treated to a buffet breakfast the rain had stopped and it was just drizzling - now, do we take our rain gear or opt to just get wet - we still have choices. We had a mid week celebration service at Dordt College as well which was well attended. Representatives from CRWRC and the Micah Challenge addressed us as to what they are doing to help alleviate the cycle of poverty.

What was supposed to be a tough day turned out to be a good day - the rain brought cloud cover which kept the temperature down and it also provided us with a tail wind which made our ride even more enjoyable. Rita and I pulled into camp just after 5:30 with 186 km on our bikes and we were on the saddle for 8 1/4 hours - not bad at all. We had stressed over this first of the 3 long days and it turned out better than everyone had thought it would. Our peleton meeting started with a prayer thanking God for the added blessings of the day.

Today is Wednesday - I have supper duties tonight and breakfast duties tomorrow morning so another person who is also on the same sweep team and myself decided to take a ride with the SAG vehicle and just do the last section of the ride today - we did 66 km - this way we will be in camp in time to do whatever we need to do to help out. Today's ride was tough - the wind was not favourable at all so the other cyclists will not be getting in early - the temperature was wonderful around 75 degrees. We took four hours to do the 66 km. We also have to unload the gear truck and reload it tomorrow morning so we just needed a break before we do another long day tomorrow.

I'm heading off to camp now to start my duties......did find the local library to post this blog first though - there will be a mad rush here after supper so I did get ahead of the rest....

Who Says Iowa is Flat?

It's Tuesday afternoon already - time has flown by. Since Sunday's posting, we've had two huge slumber parties - the first one on Sunday night at the Luthern church because the folks there felt sorry for us because of the extreme heat. They kept coming and coming with offers of hospitality...such awesome people. Last night was the second one in Sioux City because there was risks of thunder storms overnight with high winds. Again we did not have to set up tents and take them down at 5:00 a.m. - what a treat. It's actually quite funny to see mattresses and sleeping bags and pillows all over gym floors. By this time we are all like family and no one gets stressed about sleeping wherever - we are all so quiet and lights out is by 10:00 p.m. and many of us are already asleep by then.

Tonight we have real beds at Dordt College, lovely clean shower facilities, bath towels, laudromat, computer lab so we are actually being spoiled rotten. Supper is at 5:30 and breakfast will be served so we are in our glory. That's all so wonderful because tomorrow is the first of 3 very long days.


Monday's ride took us from Nebraska into Iowa - the scenery has changed to lush green farmland, rolling hills, and lots more corn and soybeans. Rita and I rode together all day and did did 144.29 km. and made it to camp around 4:45. A good day with good road conditions.


Today is the shortest ride in this 3 week section - only 99.49 km. because we have a celebration service tonight at Dordt College. Whoever said that Iowa is flat hasn't riden a bicycle along their roads - it was a ribbon of highway with one hill after another. The worst one of the day was right in Sioux City yet - we had to make a left hand turn and it was straight up a hill - both Rita and I walked that one, we weren't expecting this so soon. That was the only on we walked today. Once we got out of the city into the country we just kept going up and down - a very good riding day today.

We had cloud cover for most of the ride as well which was a real treat - we worked up a sweat with each uphill so we did sweat today in case you think it was a joy ride. About 75 km. into the ride today, the folks at Ireton CRC welcomed us with strawberry banana slushies and root beer floats and a chance to sit down for a while - what a treat before the home stretch.

I'm going to stop for now, it's Joe's birthday today and I want to make a call to family before supper while my laundry is drying (still multi -tasked even on tour) to wish him well and talk to some of the others who were all vacation last week. You wait in line for everything on tour so we do learn patience......standing in line isn't so bad either since you get to know those behind and in front of you. The community here is great - we are trying hard to be intergenerational - the older ones mix with the younger ones - we're all one big happy family.

My hands are feeling much better with the added foam on the handlebars so I am enjoying the rides more. The numbness hasn't gone away but is not getting worse.

Pray for all of us as we face 3 very long days......I'll probably be way too tired to do any postings on those days.

Till next time.