Praise God from who all blessings flow!

Thanks—I got mail this weekend that I forgot to thank Carlene & Jill for—appreciate it. Also, I forgot to mention that Vonda W., from Wisconsin, lead us into the sanctuary on her bike during the Celebration Service—I thought it was great for her & the people of Wisconsin. She’s representing her state well on Sea to Sea.

What a great day to be on a bike. We had cool temps, great roads & wonderful scenery! We hardly had any hills today. Ed’s going to get HIGH MARKS for the route today!!!

I left with arm warmers & a wind vest but was able to shed them early in the morning once I warmed up. As we were leaving we say 3 chairs along the side of the road with “best wishes” signs from a Sea to Sea supporter out of Monona. We really appreciate the hospitality of this area!

We had beautiful rolling hills through well manicured farm area. Our first miles went by fast & we had to remind ourselves to slow down & enjoy the day—we only had 81 today.

At mile 25 we came to a McDonald’s & I knew we were stopping for a ‘senior’ coffee—the guys get theirs half price b/c of their age. Andy—I get such a kick out of him—hands the lady a $10 bill & a few coins & tells her to keep the change—he thought he gave her a $1.00—he didn’t see it was a $10 because, “American money is all one color.” Being the “Dutch Canadian” he is, (his words not mine) he asked for his change back.

We were on our way to Delavan but Jake, our fearless leader for a few miles, missed a turn—we ended up going down a wonderful road that went right to a lake. When we take alternate paths like this it becomes time for a photo. Again, it’s dangerous to follow Jake…We we not the only ones to take an alternate path–poor Walt (our SAG) was on a wrong road today-now I know why we missed him.

When we got to Delavan I called Kae VE & told her I was sitting in the basement of her home church—she didn’t answer but I saw she gave me a blog comment about going there. I met a woman who sends Mary Evink the bulletin yet and many other wonderful people. I did look for Enno Haan—the only people who I know live there—but on my way out I ran into Luke Taylor & his little one. Luke is married to Joy Lefever from Orange City—both are Dordt alums. He was on a bike & I thought he was going to ride a bit with us but he was taking their little one to day care—next time Luke!

Delavan church hosted us with great sandwiches, salads & desserts. I may not have to eat tonight but being the creature of habit that I am—I will.

Right as we were leaving Delavan we saw a man taking photos—it was Marv Vos & Ruth, his wife. I don’t know if he knew it was me at the time but it was fun to yell out his name & see his head go up. Shortly down the road we saw another Sea to Sea sign along the road with a group of people sitting out around it. We were at Inspiration Ministries & met Susan, Sarah, Chuck, Donna & Tim. They were handing out water so we also asked if we could take a picture with them. Tim told us about a nature path that is paved so being the adventurists that we are—we headed to it. Tim told us it loops around & isn’t long but boy did we have fun. I yelled that we were going left—if we all head in the same direction no one has a head on collision—Pete went to the other left… I took a sunflower in the chest & knew Louis was getting it after me. Louis told me to listen & sure enough we could tell when all the others met up with the sunflower. I took a sharp curve that Louis missed & he ended up in the cornfield—bike & all. I met up with Pete on a different turn—need less to say we had a wonderful time with lots of laughing at Inspiration Ministries.

Along the road today I wanted to stop at a field for a picture–I got vetoed. It was a tobacco field & since some of the guys had worked in them in younger years they need no photos for reminders. It was burly (Don’t know how to spell this one) tobacco & they were harvesting it by hand from the bottom up–you don’t do it all in one day but work your way up.

When we got to the state line we didn’t have major sign acknowledging our entrance into Illinois. There we are taking photos on a county road by a sign reading ‘State Line Rd.’ Beautiful ride today!

Jerry & I went into town & explored Woodstock a bit. They have a great old opera house & city square with cobblestone streets. I think I’ll come back here & explore a bit more some day.

The weather is still so nice & the wet tent dried out quickly. We enjoyed the brats that were sent along with the cooks for dinner this evening. I’ve given a few haircuts & before I know it—time for peloton & bed.

We’ve been having high mileage days for a dew weeks that it’s hard to get used to 80 mile days—I think I’ll adjust nicely.

It started to rain during the night—hotdogs we’re sleeping in! We can’t leave when it’s too dark out and I wonder if something is wrong with me when I classify a 70 mile day as being a short ride.

The tent was sopping when I put it away—it’s hard to believe we’ve had such wonderful weather for 6 weeks of biking—a wet morning is nothing. The rain cleared up and we had a 20% chance for more during the day but it didn’t happen.

Peter K was sleeping right behind my tent in his hammock –he connected it to the play ground equipment. I did think about him when it started to rain. When I got up for the morning I saw Lavonne K rousing him off a picnic table—he was on sweep for breakfast detail & I’m sure he was hopping for a few more hours of zzz’s.

We started out at 6:50—I got razzed by Brian G, Peter K and a few more for being ‘late.’ Brian teased me that it was the first time he’s seen me in biking clothes—some of the youngens sleep & leave late so I only see them when I’m in camp or on sweep.

We were on Hwy 18 to Dodgeville and it was a flat road and not too busy on a Sat morning. At Dodgeville we had to get on a bike path—it was partly crushed limestone & partly paved—neither were in the best condition but when I looked at our pace we were doing 18 mph. The bike path was so pretty with some flowers in some of the areas so we thought we would stop for a photo. Bob, a guy from a neighboring community, came riding on his bike so we asked if he’s take our photo. Bob was the only other person we saw on the trail for the 8-9 miles we were on it & he comes along within one minute of when we want to take a photo—no coincidences in life my friends.

When we got off the trail we were at Barneveld—it wasn’t coffee time yet, (nothing was available) so we went on to Mt Horeb—home of the trolls. Trinity grads should feel right at home here. A great Swedish community with a well maintained main-street. We found a great spot for coffee, handed out some cards and had a break with 20 miles left.

The scenery that we had an opportunity to ride through today was gorgeous. Maybe it’s because I know I’m not coming back tomorrow so I better enjoy the day, but I think it’s more than that. I appreciate all the different areas for what they are, cropland, pasture, farm & towns. I love diversity! Crossing the states on a bike helps me see all of these at a slower pace. Pray for those who deny God—he reveals himself in so many ways we can’t take anything for granted.

We had 10 miles of riding through the outskirts of the city before we arrived at Crossroads Church. We met in the park to all ride in together. I’m sure it was impressive but I did feel a bit overwhelmed to ride in that large of group. Martha De Vries is our hostess with the most-est in Madison—what a welcome. They had a brass quartet playing for us—one song they were playing was As the Saints Go Marching In. I can tell you we’re not saints but the music, cheering, and goodies were great! They had snacks, haircuts, & massages for us. We’re all blessed by their welcome & kindness to all the riders.

I started sweep today. I got a shower in after I set up my wet tent and then went over to grill chicken for supper. Then unload the baskets from the gear truck (of those still out on sweep & Cynthia’s stuff—we’ve got you covered!) so we could wash it after dinner—it’s Saturday already & week six is completed.

Weekends—a time to do laundry, clean tents, and chill for the week ahead. Some went to a Brewers ballgame, some went out for dinner & others went to explore Madison.

Tonight we had more snacks & a movie, The Flying Scotsman, about a bicyclist. I’m sitting in the back of the room watching the movie, eating popcorn & blogging.

It’s time to go to bed though. I’m helping in the kitchen tomorrow, with some others, so the cooks can have the weekend off. Actually, it’s Dini Meyerink’s birthday today & they’re out celebrating—Happy Birthday Dini!

Melissa Kloostra from Ann Arbor joined us today—give a prayer for those joining us so that they feel welcomed & comfortable in their new surroundings. My we do what we can to welcome them & help ease the jitters.

Cynthia—if Jake doesn’t stay right (and out of my mirror line of sight) he’s going to get that ‘run-down kind of feeling.’ Andy & Louis were on sweep today so I put up their tents—I was tempted to peg Andy’s upside down…Heal soon but don’t force anything.

Happy birthday Dan! One of my brothers I thought I might run into when we were by Royal. I keep wondering if I’ll see one of them on the road—their truck drivers. I know they hate bikers but it’s for a good cause!

We left early as today was going to be another long one. Pete was on sweep so we were one short in the group. Today was uneventful in a good way—no crashes. Peel a banana, peel an orange, peel my shorts from my bum—it was a long day in the saddle.

I’ve been on most of these roads & through all these towns but again I have to say how different they look without RAGBRAI taking over their streets. The cornfields also look different without all the people popping into, or out, of them. J

When we were in Britt Jake offered us all a King peppermint—courtesy of Alida Van Dyk’s parents—we said yes as long as he doesn’t start preaching to go along with it.

The wind was a bit stronger today & from the north on our eastbound day. At 9:20 we were in Ventura & I was going to show some of the riders Clear Lake which was 5 miles down the road. Clear Lake is famous for the Surf Ballroom—this is where Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, & Richie Valens played their last concert in 1959. It was in Feb, bad weather, and the plane went down in a field.

Ed had us on a different road & since it was going to be a long day the guys didn’t want to go back—I understood.

We went mostly east & some of the roads were great—new ones again & some that may need to be replaced—as in soon! Sore elbows from absorbing all the jolts.

It was quiet between all of us for a few miles—not our normal—when Jerry yells out about a curve in the road. I about jumped out of my skin—I was looking for a dog, or a hole, or crack in the road. I think we needed that to make sure we weren’t sleeping in the saddle.

By 11:30 it was a blessed 78* & we were at mile 78 in Rockford—home of Devonian Fossils—clam like shells. Charles City was next—home of the oldest suspension bridge in IA. It’s neat—they light it up at night & it swings over the Cedar River. Our route took us so close that the guys humored me & they were willing to go the extra 4 blocks to see it. I was feeling strong & I was going to show them an IA historical landmark—that wasn’t there when I pulled up to it. In the last few months it went into the river with the flooding. Charles City looks a bit different down by the edges of the water. The bridge was intact in the water with the cable still connected to it so they pulled it out & are storing it until they can decide how best to proceed. If they build new they have to make it up to today’s codes. If they use a major portion (I think it’s 60%) then they can still claim it as a historical landmark—politics! I got this information from a local in the coffee shop where I was so disappointed I spent money for a $4.00 mocha frappe. I’m not cheap, but watching the caffeine so I can sleep tonight. (I have a photo of the missing bridge—the pylons that they poured new in Nov that is—in my photos.)

Well, now we’re just down the road from Nashua—home of the Little Brown Church in the vale. I got vetoed!—they didn’t care about another IA landmark. Actually, they said they didn’t want to go to church—hmmm…we were tired & it was time to get in. I understood the long day but the not wanting to go to church? J I told them I was putting that in my blog.

John need to start sweep—Cynthia, you too! More tired after today then yesterday—I think it’s a combination between the 2 longest days, as in mileage, and the wind.

Time for dinner & to bed early!

Cont.

Last night at the celebration Judy Feekes—my morning riding buddy—gave me a ‘Marvin’ cartoon. It was about a bicyclist commenting on his padded biking shorts and a little kid on a tricycle knowing the feeling because of his diaper. What she didn’t know then was that we’d have rain today and the shorts did feel like a diaper with all the water we had in them—pass the Desitin.

The resurfaced portion of B40 outside of Hospers is a wonderful road. It didn’t even have the markings or paint on it yet. It took us into Primghar and to our 2^nd water stop. At the Sanborn water stop, in Primghar, I met with Dick & Cora Prins—long time friends of Mom & Dad Mellema—Dick couldn’t believe I was so wet and would keep biking on. Thanks to all who were there to greet us, encourage us and refresh us.

We went through a few towns today that I’ve been through before when on RAGBRAI—those towns sure look different without 15,000 of my other biking friends. One of those towns was Aryshire—east of Aryshire was a religious road—holy, holy & cracked. We had to cut our speed & spread out so we could all be safer. It became each rider for ourselves because our voices were getting tired from yelling out the warnings. On the road in a few places were signs that read—Bump—which was really funny because there was no bump there compared to where we thought the warnings should have been.

Today, I had to use the facility that Cory sports around—I usually sweat so much I don’t need a commode until the end of the day—I just hate those port-a-pots & I need the rush of the flush. The cornfield is not an option either. But, I remember Cory bragging what a great cleaning job they did on it in Sioux Center. So after a few thousand miles I had to break down & use it.

I thought I would remember where we were at what time…I do remember we were half way done with the riding day at 10:30. It was still drizzling & the “rain before seven done by eleven” wives tail held true today—it quite for us at 11:00.

We had one of my all time best riding days as well as my longest—115 miles by the time I went to the shower & back. We had cool temps, flat roads & tail winds most of the time. We averaged 17.5 mph—great day!

So many of the riders are happy with the way their biking day went—5 went down today but nothing serious that I know about.

As I’m typing away…Clare Doornbos told me how impressed he was with Dordt’s hospitality—he loved Nancy Vermeer’s accompaniment and the changes we made to his old music building—which is now my office area. He had just as much fun playing bingo there as I do on the road.

While I was cleaning my bike this afternoon my sister Norma showed up & surprised me. She lives in Blue Earth, MN which is an hour north of here. She took me to dinner and we laughed & had a good time. Since Feb she has dropped 80 pds. I loved going out to eat with her tonight because I could finish here dinner after I finished mine. I tell my family I can eat when I bike—I think they’re catching on. Thanks for dinner & the visit Norma.

During that time we also went to the library & started my blog. In all the laughing we didn’t realize it was that close to closing time—I needed to get back for peloton. When we got to camp she mentioned all the yellow shirts—I missed the group photo that was scheduled for tonight. With all the shifting I did this weekend in Omaha & then 2 nights in Sioux Center I missed the announcement. People will just have to trust that I’m on the ride.

At 6:00 AM this morning it was 82 degrees outside the ice rink. But, the flag was blowing north—Yes! A tail wind!

Until 6:15! We could watch the wind change the direction of the flag—headwinds. It was warm & sticky first thing. John was riding with the youngens, Jerry had sweep, so I headed out with Pete, Andy, Louis & Jake K—our crash & burn guy. (Always keep Jake behind you as an insurance policy…I could get in trouble for this one.)

It wasn’t until I heard comments from the guys of how nice the surroundings looked that I realize I take “home” for granted. I’m used to the terrain, the next bend in the road on familiar pavement. It is really a sight to see if you’re looking at it the first, or fifty first, time. It’s like the Kellogg’s commercial for corn flakes—‘taste them again for the first time’. Only now it’s, look around for the first time. To see the familiar through the eyes of others is interesting.

It was a flat day for riding but we kept a steady pace. We stopped for coffee in Tekamah & headed for the toll bridge in Decatur that takes us over the Missouri River into IOWA!!! We stopped for photo ops of the bridge & the Welcome to IOWA sign—did you know the sign actually says, “The people of Iowa welcome you!” & “Fields of opportunity.” Just in case you wanted to know…

Right after the bridge entering IA we needed to turn left on Cherry Ave/CR –K42. I’ve been on so many IA roads but I missed this one in my biking years. It runs parallel to I 29 and I’ve seen cars travel on it when I’m on the interstate. If you take it you might want to watch out for the little old lady crowd going to the casino though—it runs right into Sloan.

While we were riding from Sloan to Salix Billy DH came by on his Harley. He told us that Eritia Smit had been hit by a car. After Cynthia last Monday & now hearing this I jumped to the worst conclusion. She’s okay but as I’m typing this from home, I snuck into town for an extra night in my own bed, she’s in a bed in my basement—sleeping I pray.

As Eritia was riding, a car turned into the gas station & cut her off. I’ve mentioned her biking skills before… she was booking along & I don’t think the driver estimated her speed. She took the passenger mirror in the chest, got knocked off her bike & badly shaken. She’s got a bummed up right hand—if you meet her while we’re in Sioux Center please remember it’s hard for her to shake hands. Her bike needed a bit of TLC as well as her. Steve Kragt was willing to see her—thanks Steve—and I pray she has a good night.

I’m heading back in the morning to Sergeant Bluff with Eritia & we’ll ride our bikes to Sioux Center. Hope many of you can make the celebration & meet the riders—if not in Sioux Center then maybe in another city.