It was great meeting so many at the Celebration Service—thanks for the prayers and support. I’m not looking at Saturday as the end of the tour. I think it’s like a wedding comparison—the wedding ceremony is a kick-off for married life. The ride was also my personal kick-off for my personal journey and fight of poverty.
This is my last Monday to ride. This morning I left Henrietta’s home with Lavonne & Cynthia—she joined us last night—to get to Beacon Christian School where the group was based for the weekend. I was on my last sweep day today.
The cool temps dictated arm warmers and a vest when I left camp with Corinne S & Christeena N. The rest of the team, the London Express is what they’re calling us, was ahead of us a bit. We went on a bike path along the Welland Canal, missed our turn onto Queenston St., but it was a bonus that we happened to see a ship in the locks so it was worth it.
All the cyclists and support staff had to meet at 9:30 in a parking lot off of Hiram Ave. by the Falls for the border crossing over Rainbow Bridge. It was an answer to prayer at the border. We literally went right through—they gave us 2 lanes on the left and none of us were stopped, none of us had to show passports…just ride, say thank you & have a good day. I’m convinced it was all the prep work Ed W. did on the front end, prayers and the Lord’s blessings—that ease of crossing has never happened to any of us that we could recall.
We checked out the Falls on the USA side before we headed out in groups of no less than 6 through Niagara—safety in numbers. We didn’t stop too often but had a good day in general. The communities were small today but the route was pretty. When we got to Alabama, a small town in New York not the state, we went to Teed Off, a little burger shack connected to a golf course, and met the group I’m usually with. Hmmm…did they take an alternate route to still be out this late? Yep! They put on an extra 15K/8 miles on that route—glad I wasn’t along for that ride. J
The closer we got to Byron we saw fields of cabbage heads—that’s a new one for me—I could smell them before I saw them. When the sun disappears behind a cloud it cools down quick. It’s supposed to be cold tonight & they started a camp fire—I’m down wind right now & my tent might smell like it for the rest of the week.
It’s time to get our clothes off the line—Joe De Weerd rigged up a clothesline for us between his trailer& a picnic table—have our peleton meeting, and small group meeting.
Definitions for some of you:
SAG—Support and gear
RAGBRAI—Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa—the oldest, largest fun ride in the world—IA is a state that has 2 rivers as natural borders, Missouri & Mississippi…at the beginning of the ride we dip in the Missouri & at the end we dip our bike tire in the Mississippi. (Thousands of people ride this ride the last full week of July.)
Tim Hortons–a coffee/donut shop. I hesitate to compare it to Starbucks and anger my Canadian friends. Tim H. was a hockey player. He was killed on a corner we went past last week in a car accident.
No small groups tonight–the cook are providing S’mores at the campfire–more sugar! Where’s the salt? A huge thanks to Henrietta for getting me to the store for ketchup chips!
Please continue to pray for SarahTerpstra–her infection has worsened and she’s back in the hospital. If I find out more I’ll post it.
Enjoy your last week of Sea to Sea. By the way, Maggie took our daughter Danielle’s senior pictures and did an awesome job. She put her at ease and the pics turned out great. Hope you have a great time this weekend with them.
Have a good ride.
Hi Barb,
Well, your journey on the bike saddle is coming to a close. It is amazing how quickly 9 weeks goes when sitting in front of a computer screen each night to read the blogs. I don’t know what I am going to do with the freetime now that all the blogging will be done too!:) You are an inspiration to many Barb, may that continue for you now that you will be off the bike seat and out of the biking clothes.
A verse comes to mind that will hopefully encourage you as you finish up your final days. “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Those words might have been more appropriate during those first weeks in the mountains, but I imagine the thought of finally being home may also create a need for the Isaiah passage.
God Bless you Barb!
Barb– I’ve been reading your blogs and before RAGBRAI tried to reply but I think was unsuccessful. I was traveling for work the week you were in IA–really wanted to drive up to see you, but it wasn’t to be. Your journey across the US has been really inspiring. I’m glad that your body has allowed you to ride the whole time. It sounds like there were others who have not been as blessed. Be safe on the rest of your journey and prepare for your transition back into “real life”. And be open for what God has next in store for you. Blessings, Karen