I might as well get the frustrating item out if the way first. "What frustration?" you may ask? Well, we have been unable to download photos into this blog. We have sought help from others, but no success. Frankly, when you're as busy as we have been the last four days, solving this problem is no longer a priority. So it's written updates only.
Monday's tire dipping in White Rock was a thrill. Approximately 100 supporters cheering us on as we carried our bikes across kelp and tidal pools until we finally reached the actual ocean. That's what happens when you're dealing with low tide. Dad was there, one day before his 93rd birthday, as well as family members on both sides. It was a powerful moment when we said the Lord's Prayer together at the actual white rock after which this seaside town is named. In fact, we routinely say the Lord's Prayer together at the closing of each morning's prayer, and the sound of Jesus' prayer on the lips of 90 cyclists just before they set out on the day's ride is very moving for us, each and every time.
We made it to Abbotsford where we enjoyed the hospitality of Gateway Church, the congregation that my brother, Bert served for 27 years. The following morning, a Tuesday, saw us riding to Hope. Two Christian Reformed churches - ne in Chilliwack, the other in Agassiz - served up snacks and lunch. We cycled with Bert for the second day in a row, and decided that we made good cycling buddies, all of us happy with our pace. Sunny. A nice tailwind. A great ride. And great camaraderie within the group. Did you know that we have a 12 year old girl and two 14 year old boys riding? Impressive. They plan to go all the way to Halifax. On the other end of the age spectrum, we have two cyclists in their seventies, and a rider who is 81. Also impressive!
Day 3 was so hard! Another sunny day with a nice tailwind, but we climbed non-stop to Manning Park. This ride showed us that we are definitely twelve years older. In fact, it took us almost an hour longer than it did in 2005. At times, we simply had to stop, catch our breath, hydrate, and then get Big Blue going again. Often we crept along at 8, 7, even 6 kph. We did experience the occasional descent, thankfully, reaching 65 kph. In camp we set up our tent under tall pines, all of us astounded by the magnificent scenery. A nap revived us.
Our cook is Megan, 22, a chef who is back in Canada after working at a resort in New Zealand for the last two years. Her organizational skills are exceptional and she has put together some amazing meals with the help of others. Her parents, Ian and Christine, are along, too, responsible for one of the daily pit stops that welcome the cyclists at 25 k intervals along the way.
One conversation stood out. Marja and I met a couple from Iowa who told us that going on the Sea to Sea tour in 2013 and living in a tent all summer long made them realize that their 2400 square foot house was more than what they needed. So they downsized to a 1000 square foot house that suits them just fine. In fact, they said, they would gladly live in a tiny house but the winters in Iowa are too harsh. Still, it was amazing to hear that going Sea to Sea inspired them to live a life of voluntary simplicity. Their story resonated with us because the 2005 tour had the same affect on us, so that today, in our first year of retirement, we find ourselves living in a 660 square foot dwelling for six summer months and a 900 square foot dwelling for six winter months. Aboth places are more than enough for us.
Then came day four, today. Despite being both stiff and sore, we managed to pack up our tent, prpare out lunch and hit the road again. The route began with a beautiful 20 k descent, followed by lots of climbing and more exciting descents. A construction crew was in the process of replacing the pavement and we rode on the smoothest roads imaginable for many kilometres. BrotherBert was our cycling buddy for the fourth day in a row, and all three of us hit 65 kph again. We could have gone fafaster but there were too many dangerous curves with signs warning us to slow down. We made it into Princeton in record time and by 12:30 pm we had shower, set up our tent, washed our clothes and gone for a swim. We needed this good ride to boost our confidence after yesterday's debilitating ascent.
A Baptist church is set to cook supper for us tonight. A nice break for the kitchen crew. Tomorrow we ride into the Okanagan Valley.
I began by sharing my frustration with the blog. Let me end with the good news that there have been no falls and no injuries and only five flats. As for Big Blue, not a single flat so far! Yes,
Monday's tire dipping in White Rock was a thrill. Approximately 100 supporters cheering us on as we carried our bikes across kelp and tidal pools until we finally reached the actual ocean. That's what happens when you're dealing with low tide. Dad was there, one day before his 93rd birthday, as well as family members on both sides. It was a powerful moment when we said the Lord's Prayer together at the actual white rock after which this seaside town is named. In fact, we routinely say the Lord's Prayer together at the closing of each morning's prayer, and the sound of Jesus' prayer on the lips of 90 cyclists just before they set out on the day's ride is very moving for us, each and every time.
We made it to Abbotsford where we enjoyed the hospitality of Gateway Church, the congregation that my brother, Bert served for 27 years. The following morning, a Tuesday, saw us riding to Hope. Two Christian Reformed churches - ne in Chilliwack, the other in Agassiz - served up snacks and lunch. We cycled with Bert for the second day in a row, and decided that we made good cycling buddies, all of us happy with our pace. Sunny. A nice tailwind. A great ride. And great camaraderie within the group. Did you know that we have a 12 year old girl and two 14 year old boys riding? Impressive. They plan to go all the way to Halifax. On the other end of the age spectrum, we have two cyclists in their seventies, and a rider who is 81. Also impressive!
Day 3 was so hard! Another sunny day with a nice tailwind, but we climbed non-stop to Manning Park. This ride showed us that we are definitely twelve years older. In fact, it took us almost an hour longer than it did in 2005. At times, we simply had to stop, catch our breath, hydrate, and then get Big Blue going again. Often we crept along at 8, 7, even 6 kph. We did experience the occasional descent, thankfully, reaching 65 kph. In camp we set up our tent under tall pines, all of us astounded by the magnificent scenery. A nap revived us.
Our cook is Megan, 22, a chef who is back in Canada after working at a resort in New Zealand for the last two years. Her organizational skills are exceptional and she has put together some amazing meals with the help of others. Her parents, Ian and Christine, are along, too, responsible for one of the daily pit stops that welcome the cyclists at 25 k intervals along the way.
One conversation stood out. Marja and I met a couple from Iowa who told us that going on the Sea to Sea tour in 2013 and living in a tent all summer long made them realize that their 2400 square foot house was more than what they needed. So they downsized to a 1000 square foot house that suits them just fine. In fact, they said, they would gladly live in a tiny house but the winters in Iowa are too harsh. Still, it was amazing to hear that going Sea to Sea inspired them to live a life of voluntary simplicity. Their story resonated with us because the 2005 tour had the same affect on us, so that today, in our first year of retirement, we find ourselves living in a 660 square foot dwelling for six summer months and a 900 square foot dwelling for six winter months. Aboth places are more than enough for us.
Then came day four, today. Despite being both stiff and sore, we managed to pack up our tent, prpare out lunch and hit the road again. The route began with a beautiful 20 k descent, followed by lots of climbing and more exciting descents. A construction crew was in the process of replacing the pavement and we rode on the smoothest roads imaginable for many kilometres. BrotherBert was our cycling buddy for the fourth day in a row, and all three of us hit 65 kph again. We could have gone fafaster but there were too many dangerous curves with signs warning us to slow down. We made it into Princeton in record time and by 12:30 pm we had shower, set up our tent, washed our clothes and gone for a swim. We needed this good ride to boost our confidence after yesterday's debilitating ascent.
A Baptist church is set to cook supper for us tonight. A nice break for the kitchen crew. Tomorrow we ride into the Okanagan Valley.
I began by sharing my frustration with the blog. Let me end with the good news that there have been no falls and no injuries and only five flats. As for Big Blue, not a single flat so far! Yes,
We are thrilled to read that you are doing so fantastic! You are all an inspiration to us. We continue to hold you up in prayer, often, during each day. Love to you both, J&F
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