Day 61 August 29 Dalton to Sussex Sea to Sea 08

Day 61 August 29 Dalton to Sussex Sea to Sea 08

Today’s Stats
Distance 82 miles
Time in Saddle 6 hours
Average speed 11.9
Ascent 6600 feet.

Today was an amazing ride even though it was a very hilly ride. Most cyclists enjoyed the day even though it appeared to be a tough day in the beginning. Many were anxious, and were concerned that they could not do it. The weather was cool and overcast which as a real blessing considering the length of the ride and all the hills we needed to climb. The roads were also very good considering that did not always have wide shoulders. With the cool weather and good roads, I think it helped all of us handle the ride much better than anticipated and was rather enjoyable overall. We climbed over 6600 feet today. As we went down one hill we saw another hill ahead to climb. It was a day of one rolling hill after another, mile after mile. Often the roads had a canopy of trees and provided us much shade when needed. It was all

We got up this morning at 530. It is the last night we will sleep in our tents as Hank and I are staying at my sister’s in Sussex and a hotel on Saturday night. We are not sorry to give up our tent after nine weeks. Having to get up in the middle of the night, get out of my warm sleeping bag, to walk a ways to the restroom was not always appreciated by myself. I rather like have a restroom close by. We were told there might be bears in the area so when I had to go to the restroom in the middle of the night, I was alert to possibly seeing a bear. Fortunately, I did not see or hear one.

I left camp at 650 with Mike and Phil and Jan. Hank decided he would take a SAG past most of the steep hills and ride up High Point. Within the first couple miles we had several big hills that set the tone for our days ride. Jan and Phil were a little slower than Mike and I going up the hills. When Mike and I got to Carbondale we stopped at Dunkin Doughnuts for a coffee and doughnut and to wait for Phil and Jan. They decided that we should not wait for them the rest of the day as they were not going up the hills as fast as we were and did not want to hold us back. Mike and I finished the day together at about 330. Jan and Phil came in about 6. Jan had a blow up on her tire so this slowed them down somewhat and they climbed up to High Point Monument which Mike and I did not. Jan’s sister had been involved with the restoration of the Monument so Jan felt she had to visit it. This was an additional climb of over 300 feet and 2 miles in.

We rode through very forested areas and lots of hills and valleys. We also rode through the Poconos and past Lake Wallenpaupack, a lake I went to on an 8th grade outing. This area is very beautiful and there were lots of wealthy New Yorkers who own country property out here.

We stopped for lunch at 1230 PM in Milford, which is a quaint town with lots of old homes and interesting shops.

We headed to Sussex and figured it might be 2-3 hours before we would be in camp because of all the hills we thought we would half over the remaining 22 miles. We were pleasantly surprised that the next 9 miles from Milford to Port Jarvis were flat and we sped along at 17-18 miles per hour.

We started the climb over High Point a 4 mile climb at about 2 PM. I was determined not to make one stop climbing this hill. I was pleased that I got all the way to the top without stopping once even though we had grades of 8-10 % in a couple of places. Mike and I both felt very strong. We were very pleased to reach the top. On top we were welcomed by Cory’s SAG and the family of Sandy Westra, a cyclists from NJ. We took a picture at the top but mine did not turn out great. The Applachian Trail runs along the top of High Point so we took a picture of the sign indicating the trail is here. Lou Haveman one of our cyclists walked the whole trai,l which runs from Georgia to Maine over 750 miles, during the summer of 2005.

The downhill from High Point is very, very steep. I used my brakes all the way down as I knew there was a curve at the bottom. I was afraid to look at my speed as I was very focused on the road and keeping control.

On the way to Sussex, I rode past my parent’s grave. My parents were John Aukema who died in 1967 and Grace Jaarsma Aukema who died in 1994. My parents were instrumental in establishing both the Sussex Christian Reformed Church and Valley Christian Reformed Church in Binghamton. They immigrated in 1947 from the Netherlands and settled in Sussex County for 17 years before moving up to Binghamton NY in 1964. Sussex church was one of three churches established in the area by Dutch farmers after WWII.

We arrived at Sussex Christian School and I was immediately greeted by Hank and Mel. Hank had taken a SAG to Milford and than rode his bike to Sussex. Mel did not ride today as he felt he could not handle all the hill climbing. I also saw my niece Ann Mary Amels and my nephew Charley Kuperus and my nephew Miles and his wife Lisa, my cousin Dot Aukema Valkema and her husband Sam.. I saw lots of people I knew as I had grown up here and moved away when I was 16 years old. Lots of people remarked about how much family I have. It seemed either I had family or friends in many of our stops across the country,

Hank and I and Mel and Sylvia Hugen were invited to stay with my sister Anne Kuperus for the night. We headed out to her house so Hank and I could take showers before supper. When I was at Anne’s my brother Bill Aukema called and wanted to come to see me. He and his wife Gloria and his daughter Christina came to see Hank and I for about an hour. It was good to see Hank's kids and all my family including kids, grandkids and brothers and sister.

At supper, I again saw lots of former acquaintances and family members. It was great being in Sussex. Both Sussex and Goshen churches served a great meal of hamburger and hotdogs pasta dishes and potato dishes, apple crumb dessert, which was really enjoyed by the cyclists. Thanks so much to Sussex and Goshen for their hospitality.

Hank and I finally got back to Anne’s at 930 and were ready for bed since we had gotten up fairly early and had a good day of biking. We were looking forward to finishing our last day of riding.

My nephew Brian and his wife Crystal and their son Brycen.

Cleaning out the porta-potty one last time.

A bunch of my relatives: Rich and Carol Rienstra, Grace and John Roossien , Pat and Doug Aukema

Day 60 Binghamtom to Dalton

Dave Ditmer and Julia Zwart from Hope RCA
Phil and Jan Quist with myself at Peter's SAG stop

Mike Bruinooge at Peter's SAG
View of the road we were cycling on to Dalton

Reststop were we had pie and muffins
Strangers we met in Nicholson who wanted to know all about the tour and directed us to the farmers market store where we find the information about the bridge.

View of The Tunkhannock Viaduct taken from the restaurant in Nicholson
View of the viaduct from the road to our camp site
Mike Bruinooge climbing the 16% grade hill.
Jan Quist pedaling hard to climb the hill too.

Phil you can do it. Go for it

I uploaded these pictures finally, but had trouble moving them into the text.

Day 60 August 28 Binghamton to Dalton Sea to Sea 08

Today’s stats
Distance 57.12 miles
Time in saddle 4.16 hours
Total Ascent 1928 feet
Current elevation 1126 feet.
Temperature this morning 55 degrees

We got up this morning at 515 am. As we were staying at Grace and John’s we did not have to pack up our tent. We had a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, melon, blueberries, yogurt, orange juice, and coffee. We left for camp at 6 and were there by 630.

When we arrived Mel informed Hank he was on sweep so he could not ride with Hank. Hank was a little disappointed he was not going to ride with Mel today. He ended up riding alone for most of the day. I started riding with Phil and Jan Quist. We left at 7 AM and arrived at camp at 230PM. We had made lots of stops and took our time coming in, as we did not want to arrive in camp before the gear truck arrived. Hank arrived at 330. Mel and Sylvia were just leaving camp when I biked in. Sylvia had picked up Mel and they were heading to Sussex as Mel decided he would not be riding tomorrow.

It was cool this morning; so I wore my leg warmers, arm warmers and jacket. Both Jan and Phil had jackets and either arm warmers or long sleeve shirts on. We did not take off our jackets till the second coffee stop at 11. I took off my leg warmers at our lunch stop. My arm warmers stayed on for the whole ride.

I rode past a company I worked at during high school Eureka Tent and Awning Company on Conklin Ave in Binghamton. I could not believe it was still there after all these years.

We stopped at Peter’s SAG at mile 32 at 1100. We were over half way. We decided to stop in Nicholson to see if there might a public library with Internet. We kept running into Dave Ditmers and Julie Zwart who are both RCA and represent Hope Reformed church in Grand Rapids on the tour. I told Dave I should take their picture and let Joan Jelkel, my neighbor who is looking after our home and a member of their church know they are in good shape.

We stopped for coffee twice today and also had lunch in Nicholson. At our second coffee stop I had tea and apple muffin that the waitress grilled. Jan, Phil and Mike had coffee and blueberry pie. It was very good. We met Mike Bruinooge here who asked if he could ride the rest of the way with us.

When we started out from this coffee stop, we expected to bike up a high hill. According to our map and it elevation we were suppose to have huge hill at mile 40. It did not materialize. The ride from here to Nicholson was a breeze. We averaged 16.2 miles per hour for the 10 miles. It was pretty flat and we seemed to have a tailwind.

We stopped in Nicholson hoping to find Internet. It did not. There was a very interesting bridge there, which the locals were eager to talk about. The bridge was called the Tunkhannock Viaduct. The Tunkhannock Creek runs under it along with route 11. It is owned by Canadian National Railroads today by was original built by the Lackawanna Railroad from 1912-1915. It is considered the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world, by the locals, and has 10 arches spanning the creek and roadway. It was pretty impressive. I took a number of pictures of it one with a train going over it and several pictures of cyclists with the viaduct in the background.

We ran into other cyclists who had stopped at a great restaurant and said the food was great. We decided to also have lunch there. Jan and I had their hamburger vegetable soup which really hit the spot as it was still cool. Mike and Phil each had a hamburger.

We started out for camp to complete the last 7 miles. I biked past Hank just on the outskirts of Nicholson. Within a mile, we saw the hill we were to climb. It had a 16% grade and was a 1.5 miles long. Many cyclists walked up it.

Our showers tonight were ice cold. I decided I would not stand under a ice cold shower and felt a sponge bath was good enough today. As it is not very warm out, put on slacks and long sleeve shirt and my fleece.

Everyone seems to have gotten in fairly early. People are relaxing, playing cards, reading, cleaning bikes, sleeping and others sitting chatting. It is a great time to get caught up on lots of things. It is good people have a chance to relax this afternoon, as lots of people are anxious about our ride tomorrow with the most feet climbed in one day being tomorrow. We are climbing more than any day through the mountains.

I am enjoying typing up my blog before supper. I will not be able to post tonight, as we do not have Internet access. Our satellite service is not working. Apparently the satellite repairs will not be completed till next week. We have been very disappointed with the lack of Internet access and the unreliability of our satellite service through the tour.

Day 59 August 27 Romulus to Binghamton Sea to Sea 08

Day 59 August 27 Romulus to Binghamton Sea to Sea 08

Today’s Stats

Distance 79.28 miles
Time in the saddle 5.56 hours
Ascent 3674 feet
Current Elevation 956 feet
Average speed 13.4 miles per hour

This morning we were up at 5 AM in order to pack up our tent and gear by 530 in order to report for kitchen duty.

Hank got ready to ride at 7 AM and was going to meet Mel 7 miles down the road where Mel and Sylvia had taken had bed and breakfast place. I left camp at 810 as I helped clean up all the food and clean up the tables. The rest of the team remained to load up the trucks.

I started out by myself and was joined by Marti at about mile 20. We rode together the rest of the day. We stopped to see a local falls, which was said to be the highest west of the Rockies. They were OK but nothing spectacular. We rode up a mile hill that had a 16% grade.

Later Marti and I stopped in Ithaca for coffee on the river. It was a great place for a break.

The ride was very enjoyable even though it was quite hilly. The highest hill was coming out of Ithaca. It was a good test for some of the new cyclists and a taste for what we might have on Friday when we ride into Sussex.

The landscape was very green and lots of trees and hills. Typical New York and Pennsylvania.

I arrived at the church at 3 PM and was welcomed by the members of Valley CRC. My brother Doug and sister Grace where there to greet us. Hank had arrived before I had as he had taken a ride in with the SAG. He was very happy to be in camp. here are James Holwerda, Anne, Ralph, Marti, and I in front of the church.
Marti and I at the camp.
The local DJ, who had raised money for CHOW Pantry was there also to greet cyclists and to do a last minute pitch for donations. I was also interviewed live for the local radio station that was raising money for the local charities serving the poor.

Valley Christian Reformed church did a great job of serving us a great meal. We had a local specialty “Spiedies”, salt potatoes, baked beans, Acini de Pepe Salad, brownies and ice cream. Thanks to the church for such great treatment. The Spiedies are cooked in a special cooker by Otter and Hubbard Show.

For many of the riders it was a harder day than yesterday. There was lots more hill climbing so people are feeling very tired after riding 78 miles. It was another great day for biking in that it was cool and sunny. The temperature was about 76 and we had mild headwinds from the NE.

Tonight Hank and I are staying with my sister Grace and her husband John. We are enjoying a glass of wine. I am also getting on the Internet so I am updating both yesterday and today’s blog. I will soon be going to bed.

I saw lots of my relatives. Here is my sister with Julia and her children Ava and Abby.

My brothers John, Doug and sister Grace.
Two of our three tandems Jerry and Linda Dykstra, Marion and Marlene Betten working hard peddaling up the hill. Hills are a challenge for these tandems.

Day 58 August 26 Byron to Romulus

Today’s stats
Distance 79.35 miles
Time in saddle 5.43 hours
Average speed 13.8

We woke up this morning at 530 rather than five as it is still pretty dark. Hank and Mel headed out on the road at about 7 AM. I left with Al Karsten and we rode almost the whole way. Al left me at the East Palmyra refreshment at mile 52. I hooked up with Clare and Roger the last 30 miles.

Al and I stopped in Avon for coffee along with lots of other cyclists. The ride along the Finger Area is very beautiful. Unfortunately, we did not go through some of the quaint towns located on the lakes. We rode just north of them through some very nice country side.

At mile 52 we were treated to a great lunch by the East Palmyra CRC church. We had sloppy joes, chips, fresh fruit, squares, ice cream, and cold drinks. This was very much appreciated by the cyclists. Many of the cyclists had not packed a lot of food so they were very hungry by the time the lunch stop arrived.

I saw my cousin Grace and Ralph Hutt at the refreshment area as they are members of the East Palmyra church.

It was a good ride, Hank arrived at camp at about 430 and I arrived at 230. When I arrived the gear truck was not yet there so we just relaxed for a half hour.

Our camp site Sampson State Park was located on the shore of Seneca Lake, one of the largest of the fingers lakes. This area was also at one time an training area for the department of defense. The Finger Lake area has 11 lakes shaped like fingers, is a very beautiful area with lots of cottages, vineyards, and quaint towns. There is excellent sailing on most of the lakes. Watkins Glen a famour park and gorge area is at the base of Seneca Lake. It is part of the glacial shield.

Shortly after I arrived, my brother John and his wife Besty showed up. Hank and I put up our tents and took showers. John and Betsy than took us to into Geneva for supper and to look for a battery for my camera.

We also went to see the latest home that the TV show Extreme Makeover did in Geneva. It was built for a boxer who began injured and subsequently got involved with training disadvantaged kids. It was interesting to talk to the guards and a few people on the street that this house was on. One gentleman commented that he was in withdrawal as he would be out on his front porch at 630 AM and would not go to bed till 1130. The guard told us they work on a site for 2 weeks than are off for 5 days. The neighbourhood itself had been quite overrun by construction equipment and people. It appeared that lots of work had to be done to restore the neighbourhood.

We headed back to camp and saw an albino deer that is part of a herd located in an area opposite our campground. Neither Hank nor I had ever seen an albino deer before.

We ended the day with a peleton meeting followed by our last small group meeting. At our small group we talked about what we might expect life to be like when we return home and try to get back to a normal life. For most of us, we expect life to be somewhat different and to be more focused on how God might use us. It has been a good small group that felt comfortable to share needs and ask for prayer support. We did not meet every night but did meet several times a week.

As we are on sweep in the morning, we need to get up early 5 AM to report for kitchen duty by 530.

Day 57 St Catherines to Byron New York

Today's stats


Distance 76.68
Time in saddle 5.08
Ascent 1863 feet
current elevation 706
Average speed 15 miles per hour



We got up at 5 AM this morning. Dave's dog Shirpa slept with us all night. Dave says his dog has never done this before. I tried to get a picture of him, but he somehow knew what I wanted and he hid from me so I could not take a picture.

We left for camp at 530 and arrived at 610. When we arrived we put our stuff in our dresser drawers (laundry baskets) and then went for breakfast that was served by local churches.

Dave trying out my bike
Ruth Jonjejan was a camp and had dropped off some cyclists who stayed with them. I had not seen Ruth on Saturday or Sunday when I had seen Rick. We got to just say hi and give each other a hug. They had just got back from their trip to Alaska and I had wanted to hear about their trip. They had run into Clarence and Jane Damsma at a Tim Horton’s on the Alaska highway.

Hank and I pumped up our tires, brought our duffel bags to the trailer. I headed out with Rich and Carol Rienstra at 650 and Hank and Mel left at about 7 AM. We needed to be at our staging area in Niagara Falls to cross into the US by 930. Soon I hooked up with Lou Haveman and we rode together into Niagara Falls. The ride into the Falls was beautiful as we biked past vineyards and orchards. The area we biked through is a real geological treasure for Canada as it is an area that peaches, apricots and grapes can be grown. One would never think these could be grown at this latitude in Canada.

American and Canadian Falls

We stopped and took some pictures at the Falls then proceeded to the staging areas. We did stop for some coffee after we got to the staging area. At 930 Ed Witvoet got a call from the border people that we could come through as things were very quiet. We proceeded to go over the bridge. When we got to the border crossing we took up three lanes and the officials just waved us through. They did not even check our documents or our bags to see if we had fruit or other band items. All of us were amazed. We do have to remember prior to our arrival, they had received a copy of all our passports so they had had time to check our background. Ed thanked the officials at the border and the officials at the border thanked Ed for how well organized our group was and how orderly we crossed. I also think that the difficulty Ed had with entering the US last fall and the subsequent granting of a work visa by Chief Stevens in Niagara Falls may have contributed to all the details being covered well ensured an orderly and problem free entry. At the time the steering committee wondered what God had in mind when Ed had all his trouble with the border. We know think these problems helped us establish a good working relationship for the expeditious crossing for the cyclists and support staff. We see how God has had a hand in all these things. Waiting at the staging area and crossing the Rainbow Bridge Niagara Falls.

After the border crossing, I hooked up with Joy and Doug Lutke and Rick Gritter. We moved quickly through Niagara Falls New York and were headed through the country.
I had another flat tire. This makes number 4 for me. Rick and Doug had it changed within 15 minutes and we were on our way.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. We did have strong winds from the NW, which sometimes gave us a tailwind and other times a strong side wind. We did have to work somewhat. It was a little cool and I wore my jacket till we arrived at Niagara Falls and then kept my arm warmers on till about noon. At 2 pm when I was riding the last 12 miles there was a chill in the air and I wish I had my arm warmers on again. As I am writing this I am sitting with a blanket around my legs wearing a fleece and jacket to keep warm. It is now getting very chilly at night when we are in camp.

Everyone seems to have had a great day today. At the Peleton meeting we are starting to talk about the end of the tour. We need to sign up for things on Saturday and the need for people to clean all the support trucks for departure on Sunday. We are also discussing with each other what our plans are for after the tour. Nothing definitive is emerging for lots of people, but they know that this trip has changed them and they will need to think about how to adjust back into normal life at home.

John Straastma told us the funniest story about having a flat tire today. He was riding with Roger Feenstra and Clare Dornbos. Roger noticed John's rear tire was low, so John calls ahead to Clare that he has flat. Clare turns into the nearest drive and when he has turned in notices a large dog lying down. Clare immediately turns around when the large dog gets up and yells to the others large dog coming as he is racing out the driveway heading to John and Roger and tears past them. Clare appears petrified the dog is coming after him. They notice the very large dog with huge eyes and neither John nor Roger know where to turn. Roger just quickly shouts to the dog "sit" and the dog proceeds to sit down. To hear the story being told by John was quite funny and he only wished he could have had a video doing a recording of this event. This all happened within the space of a minute. It is good to have some funny stories being told. Having a flat tire is usually not very funny.

Please pray that for everyone, including readers of the blogs, the tour is really a beginning for new and exciting changes in people’s lives and in the life of the church community.

Note I am having trouble uploading pictures tonight. I hope to post tomorrow. The battery in my camera has also gone dead even though I charged it before I left home and it should have held a charge for 3 weeks. I hope to get a new battery tomorrow.