Service project for Habitat instead of riding

As I was cut short yesterday at the Library, I did not get a chance to upload pics from the service project.  I am sitting in Starbucks at 5 AM to finish blogging for yesterday.  It took over 3 hours to access the Internet blog and upload pics. Blogging is a tedious process on the road.

Rudy Folkert the supervisor for the day. Great job

 Doug Lutke a great photographer somehow managed to get paint on his face even taking pics

 

It is Sunday morning, and we are going to two churches in town to share our message and have a meal with them.  We are going to a Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. May we be a blessing and may we be blessed as we worship and praise God for his love, grace and faithfulness.

Day 5 and 6 Quartzsite to Payson

Day 5 and 6 Quartzsite to Payson.

As I am writing this I am sitting in the air conditioned Library in Payson, Arizona.  Feels refreshing.

Before I start to tell you about day 5 and 6 I would like to share our story of Phil our angel who showed up at Redlands and stayed with us till we left Desert Centre for Payson.  When Phil Quist arrived at Arrowhead Christian Academy in Redlands, Phil Ewalt was there to greet him.  He had been following the tour on line and was looking forward to meeting up with us.  Apparently is a member of the Reformed Church in Redlands and would have loved to do the ride but it did not work out for him to cycle it.  However he did want to volunteer to do some work for us and he helped Phil mark the route going out or Redlands to Coachella.  He also volunteered to be the Sweep team going from desert Center to Quartzsite which was a huge benefit to us as cyclists did not need to be the last and pushing people up the route.  Cyclists are encouraged to get out very early and try to be in by 1.  A number did not make it the day before and getting in at 3 when temps are 113 is very draining and dangerous for people’s health.   Thank you angel Phil for you passion and love for Sea to Sea.

I was up at 4 am Friday morning trying to blog and upload pics which is a very slow tedious process along our route.  Something I could get done in an hour or less at home takes several hours on the road.  While we were waiting for the large tour bus to arrive that would take cyclists up to Payson, many cyclists entertained themselves by playing various games.

Jane Brouwer not happy she had a flat tire caused by picking up a wire from truck tire threads along the highway.

Bev helping me put on a sling for my hand so I can keep it up to reduce swelling

                                           Christy Statemire balancing chair on her nose.

 

 

We got on the road about 11 to head up to Payson.  We had a good trip up and stopped to get lunch at a Wendy’s I thought I would be smart and try to get a picture of one of the huge cactus we saw along the road. As I stepped into the dirt I felt I was attacked by a thistle like plant.  They were very nasty and I had to use tweezers to pull them out as they stuck to my fingers as I was pulling them off my feet and skirt.  I yelled to Ruth Heeringa who was going to take my picture not to come into the dirt as this thistle like plants were very nasty. Apparently they are called teddy bear thistles I think.  I will be more careful.  Barb Mellema says she wants to stay away from me as I seem to be accident pronged right now.

As we were riding up highway 87 which is the road we would have ridden, I realized I could not have done this ride.  We hit 6 % grades and 118 degrees and the climb up and down was 60 miles.  I could not have done it.  It is a blessing that we have suspended the ride for 3 days.  God may be telling us you were a little crazy to think you could do it In the first place.  These extreme temps are a blessing in disguise. 

When we arrived at our new campsite the men from the school and Parks service were very helpful and pleased they could help us.  As it was unexpected we are very thankful we have what we have and are making the best of our accommodation.  As we were at higher elevation sitting outside in the sun is not as difficult as when we were at sea level.  Our current elevation is 5000 feet. 

Our gear trailer arrived at 830 and we all scrambled to set up our tents in the dark as it gets lighter much earlier here 5 AM but the sun sets sooner as well.  I did not get to sleep till 11 as all the remaining vehicles were arriving including our kitchen trailer and our bunk house/camp HQ trailer.

 

This morning I was wide awake again at 4 AM.  I knew it would be a long time till breakfast so I went out to MacDonald’s for a coffee and to try to get Internet. Unfortunately they did not have electrical plug Ins and my computer ran out of charge.  Ugh.  I thought I had it plugged in in the gear trailer but the plug I was using was not working and I was not aware of that.  Frustration.

Since we were not biking for several days, Barb Mellema did an amazing job of organizing a service project for the cyclists with Habitat to paint a home today.  We had over 40 cyclists volunteer.  We managed to get old shirts donated from the Humane Society for the cyclists to use so they would not get paint on the good clothes they had along.  We managed to get one coat of fresh paint on the home in addition to cleaning up the yard.  The home owner was very pleased and we felt blesse as well as being a blessing.  Although we could not bike, God used us in an unexpected way to be a blessing and to be blessed.  Thank you God for opening our eyes to how you use adversity to show us your grace and love.   

Our shower facilities at the school

                                              Billy D's motorcycle coming off the truck

 

                                                                         our laundry facilities

God is good. Blessings to all.  Have to sign off as library is closing. 

Day 4 Desert Center to Quartzsite

 Day 4

As we were sleeping all together in one large room people started stirring early 3:45 AM.  Everyone was pretty much packed up ready to  go by 445 and were waiting for breakfast and lunch food to be put out.

Jane, Barb and I were planning to ride together and as we were saying a prayer for the rode, Barb decided she could not ride as she was not really very well and thought it best considering availability of restrooms along the road, not to ride.  Jane and I started out at 5:20 and it was 79 degrees.  The ride to the first  SAG went very well.  The road was smooth and temp was still below 80. However the next section of road, the shoulders on I 10 were brutal.  Every 10-20 feet we had bumbs 2-3 inches were the payment was buckling and we were going kurplunk kurplunk as the front and back tires were hitting the bumps.  My hand was not handling these bumps well.  I also found I was getting fatigue much quicker this morning as it was the fourth day of riding.  I told Jane that she should move on at the next SAG without me as I did  not want to hold her back.  I was having difficulty keeping up with her this morning.  When I got into the 3^nd SAG at ,27 miles I decided not to continue trying to ride the 50 miles into Blyth were the hospital for my x ray.  Fortunately Bev Prium our tour nurse was there and she agreed to. 

Sorry to report but the xray indicates I have a hairline fracture on the scaphoid bone  and needed a cast. The doctor did indicate I should call my doctor to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.  I thought I would consult with the doctor on tour to see what she thought.  I have a copy of the xray on disk which I plan to send to my doctor when I can.  I have decided not to ride for a couple of days before I make a decision.  I don’t want to leave the tour if I can avoid it. 

I rode with Bev and Jay Pruim back to camp and we checked with cyclists along the way and at all SAG stops.  Each SAG had cool wet towels that cyclists could put over their heads, around their necks to bring down their body temps.  This provided a temporay reprieve till the next SAG but helped cyclist get through the ride and into camp.

Jane, Barb and I had decided to stay at the Super 8 hotel as we were told there would be not air conditioned place to stay.  It was a pleasant surprise when we did get into camp  and the Senior Centre was open to us and we could eat and sleep inside it.

Today it was decided the tour will be suspended till Monday evening due to extreme heat warnings.  Temperatures are forecast to heat 120 and surface temperatures eg pavement to hit 160-170 degrees.  When we ride the pavement just radiates the heat up to us and it is very hot riding.  We will leaving this morning Friday to Payson Arizona and miss Phoenix for the weekend. We decided we could only move people once as it is an expensive deal to rent a bus to transport cyclists and tractor trailer to transport bikes and gear. Since ride to Payson would be very difficult with the heat we decided it did not make sense to do it in these heat conditions.

myself Christy Statemire and Brando Hann with our Alma mater jersies

Trying to upload more pics but I am having difficulty posting some fun shots

I did have Ava our doctor check my xray and she could not see a significant break and recommended I not ride for a few days and to have another xray 10 days from the date of  accident so I will get another xray July 5th.  Hopefully I will get the current cast off. 






Distance32.60 mi  flats 26 falls 5

Duration2h:14m:27s

Avg. Speed14.5 mph

Max. Speed22.4 mph

Calories580 kcal

Avg. Heart Rate126

Max. Heart Rate142

Min. Altitude359 ft

Max. Altitude918 ft

Total Ascent134 ft

Total Descent530 ft

 

Day 2 and 3

Palm Springs visitors center, view of the mountains

Peleton meeting at Jordan Ministries.

Day 1

 

 

Daily stats flats 9 falls 2                                                                                                                        

Duration5h:11m:00s

Avg. Speed14.7 mph

Max. Speed35.8 mph

Calories1251 kcal

Avg. Heart Rate128

Max. Heart Rate154

Min. Altitude-31 ft

Max. Altitude2785 ft

Total Ascent1594 ft

Total Descent2501 ft

Cadence59 rpm

WeatherPartly cloudy night

Distance76.19 mi

Started out at 530 with temps 75. We had 18 miles of good climbing early in the day which was great.  The rest of the ride was pretty much down hill but temps were getting warmer as the day went on.  As we came into camp it was 106.  We did miss a turn and we ended up climbing a long steep hill but it worked out OK as we ended up getting back on the tour route.   Later about 8 miles from camp I was feeling very spent and we decided we should stop at a restaurant to cool down get refreshed to finish the last 8 miles. As we were biking through a parking lot Barb was in front of me and I tried to miss a pot hole and in so doing hit her back tire and went for a spill. I scraped my elbow and injured my thumb I thought it was badly sprained. When we arrived in camp we had a refreshing swim in a cool pool. After a long bike ride we felt refreshed with the swim.  A few people came into camp looking pretty wiped out and needed to cool down quickly.  We insisted they get into the pool immediately clothes and all.  It was a little concerning and we immediately checked to see who was still out where they were on the route and if they needed to be picked up.  Fortunately everyone still on the road was OK and they managed to get in under their own power. Instead sleeping in my tent I was able to sleep in the gym that was being cooled by swamp coolers  Many people did sleep out side just under the stars with no tents with just a sheet.
Our campsite was Jordan Ministry Center which was set up to serve the poor in the surrounding areas with recreational and educational enrichment programs not available through the school system.  A great ministry.

With this extreme conditions, I wonder about so many of the poor living in hot climates and wonder how they survive with no air conditioning to cool down and to have a good nights sleep.   One this tour we may only be catching a glimpse of the challenges they face daily 

 

Day 3 Coachella to Desert Center

 

Started the day at 530 75 degrees biking with Barb and Jane. It was just getting light out.  We biked through fields of vineyards and vegetable farms. Got a picture of some harvesting.  Once out of the irrigated fields we headed into Box Canyon. Jane described this as God carving out the canyon with his fingers.  Beautiful display of different stone formations. It was hot and a steady climb.  We did have a concern at one point as we had missed a SAG stop and people were running short of water. Billy DenHarder saved us by coming by one his motor bike with a good supply of water. thanks Billy D. Bev and Jay also came by shortly after as they had gotten our call that we were running out of water and had not seen a SAG. How refreshing it is to have a cool drink of water when it is so hot. I need to remember people around me that need cold water too.

Barb had a really good laugh about a comment I made about what Jane had said. Jane was riding in front and stated she was really needing to use her Shammy butter (for you non cyclist a cream some people put on their bottoms to avoid chaffing) when she got to the next SAG. What I heard as I was riding behind Barb was Oh are they going to have peanut butter at the next SAG.  Barb just roared as she was connecting the two conversations that were so totally different.  Anyway she told many people the story and has posted it to facebook and her blog for many others to enjoy a good laugh.

We did ride on I 10 for a bit which was a little tense but no one was injured. The highway department had sweep the shoulders of debris for which we were very thankful  When we exited off I 10 Jim Beezhold and his wife were a God send as they  had cold wet towels which we could put around our necks to cool us down. Tremendous help. When we arrived in camp it was 113 degrees and we had an air-conditioned we could sleep in. It was cool but no privacy and everyone sleep pretty close together. Now I know what it feels like when people sleep in emergency accommodation after a hurricane or tornado and large gyms or arenas are provided for people to sleep.

One of the things I noticed was my right hand that I had injured the day before was very swollen and showed signs of bruising. I was sleeping close to the cyclists who is a doctor and asked her what she thought.  She checked my hand and thought I might have a fractured scaphoid and suggested I might want to get it x rayed asap. The closest hospital was in Blyth which would be on our route for day 4.  I decided I would bike into Blyth the next day and stop at the hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                               Barb in the vine yard

 

 

                                                Jane and Barb riding through Box Canyon

                                                                          Box Canyon

 

Daily stats  Flats 22  falls 5
Distance62.06 mi

Duration4h:43m:50s

Avg. Speed13.1 mph

Max. Speed29.6 mph

Calories3174 kcal

Min. Altitude-54 ft

Max. Altitude1862 ft

Total Ascent1700 ft

Total Descent598 ft

Internet and blogging frustrations

For all of you who are following my blog I apologize for  not being able to keep you  posted on my blog. Internet connections have not been the best and when I get into camp there are many things to deal with the last couple of days. I have written the post for day 2 and 3 twice only to have my computer freeze and the  Internet connect not go through.  I am trying to load some pictures with narrative but all this takes so much time when the connections are slow.  It is very frustrating.  I hope this one goes through but I am getting error messages so please be patient. I do hope to finish my blog for the last couple of days tomorrow.

Day 1 Newport Beach to Redlands Ca

Day started early for me at 2 30 wide awake with lots of thoughts about stuff with Sea to Sea and how people are anxious and worried that things will go well. I said good bye to Hank for 6 weeks till I arrive in Grand Rapids.  I started to ride with 3 newbies Clarence Vander Vies, Alice Brink and Bonita and 4 veterans Jane Brouwer, Rich and Carol Rienstra and Joan Doornspleet. We started out with a slight drizzle which was unusual for this area but we were thankful.  The sky remained overcast for a large part of the morning, but I still got lots of sun. The ride along the Santa Anna bike trail was great.  We were on it for over 50 miles.  It is amazing to know we biked in relative calm and quiet though areas that is heavily populated and expressways are jammed. We also saw many people living under the bridges that the bike path ran under.
As the bike ride continued I rode with Ross Lootsma, Jake Kuipers, Roland Ratimeyer Adrian Kloet and Jim Beezhold.  Jim is 77 and is a very strong rider that I had trouble keeping up with. He is a great cyclist.
I will be staying with Scott and Kristin tonight and think this will be my last comfortable bed and air conditioned accommodation till I arrive in Grand Rapids on August 3.  If people along the route offer billets/hosting opportunities I will gladly sign up.  I am not a die hard camper that wants to sleep in a tent on a therma rest and in sleeping bag.  I prefer other sleeping accommodations but will do this when I have too. 
We had a great refreshment stop at Hope CRC in Riverside at mile 46. they provided us with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and dip, great trail mix, coffee and lemonade. Thank you Hope CRC.  When we were there Randy DeWolde arrived and as he got off his bike his left peddle came off the crank shaft. A miracle that it do not happen on the rode. There was a Volunteer at the stop who could take Randy and his bike to a bike shop. 

Kitchen staff continue to be challenged by the equipment in the kitchen that is not cooperating.  They are doing a super job getting us fed even when equipment malfunctions and provide great meals. 

One of the cyclist Mark Deckinga did have a major accident. He broke his leg and needs to have a rod inserted.  A major disappointment for him and his wife Susan as they were planning to ride several weeks of the Sea to Sea together.  She reported to the peleton meeting that within 4 minutes of the accident a person who lives in the area was able to provide the exact location where she was located on the Santa Anna Bike path to the ambulance drivers. She also told us how a cyclist "Ava Baker who is a doctor came on the scene to provide addition support and help while waiting for the ambulance. Susan was able to share how she experienced God's presence numerous times today and know she and Mark are being prayed and cared for by many people.
We continued to be amazed by God moments through out the day and know if we keep looking and seeking God he will be evident to us.

myself, Jody Datema, Katie an Kristin. 

We had lots of visitors to the campsite.  Scott and Kristin and Katie came to visit as well as Jodie Datema.  Jen Van Beek tour assistant in 2008 also came to visit and got to say hi to cyclists from 2008.  It is was a joy to have people come to visit to say hi and check out how things are operating.

Camp stats  9 flat tires, and 2 accidents.
Ride stats.
Distance74.65 mi

Duration5h:39m:02s

Avg. Speed13.2 mph

Max. Speed40.3 mph

Calories3788 kcal

Min. Altitude28 ft

Max. Altitude1603 ft

Total Ascent1629 ft

Total Descent302 ft

Cadence58 rpm

WeatherCloudy

Celebration Service and Tire Dipping

We had a beautiful time of Celebration at Vanguard.  Jeff Mercer and his praise team from Redlands provided us with great music, Tim Spykstra from Chino CRC provided us with an inspirational and challenging message. Amanda Koopmas DeBoer one of our fellow cyclist and opera singer lead us in singing our theme song Christ be our Light.
Longing for Light we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth we turn to you.
Make us your own,
your holy people, light for the world to see.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us, Make us your living voice.

Longing for food, our world is troubled.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are fed.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others, wall made of living stone.
Many the gifts, many the people, many the heart that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come.
chorus
Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

Beautiful words and reflecting what the purpose of our tour really is. We need to be reminded that it is for others we are cycling and to raise funds and awareness for the poor, disenfranchised, lonely and broken people of this world.

our kitchen staff

Church of the Servant participants myself, Judy Bredeweg, Carol and Rich Rienstra

Supper at Newport Beach

 

As we begin our tour

In the midst of excitement and joy, there is also lots of anxiety and stress.  Please pray for the cyclists as they begin as many who have never ridden for more than one day or in a large group over unfamiliar territory or conditions are very anxious can they do it.  Many of us have no idea how we will handle riding in the desert with temperatures in the 100's or the mountains with steep inclines to climb up. Please pray for the volunteers who are committed to making everything work to support the cyclist.  Right now the tilt skillet in the kitchen is not working and the gear trucks electrical needs work.  The SAG drivers are concerned about being in the right place with the right supplies for cyclists and that they too can handle hours in out in the desert in the mountains and in the prairies.  Lots of anxieties.
One of the important rules of the tour is not to drop anyone when you are riding together.  Yet last night one of the cyclist had a flat tire and did not make the tire dipping as there was no one around to help get him back on the road. A very important lesson for all of us on this tour, but also important for everyday life that we not abandon people in difficulty and leave them alone will we celebrate the joys and adventures of life. 
Please pray for Al DeKok, Phil Quist and Jay Prium as they are the key leaders that people will be looking to for direction and leadership that everything is in order and things are all working well.  Many things can go wrong and little details forgotten that become critical at a certain time and no longer is insignificant but a major concern.  Reminder again of life that little things if left unattended can derail our plans and our lives when we do not expect it.

But here I am embarking on a bike tour across the country. My journey will last 9 weeks and I will be able to back to the comforts of home.  What about the people I am cycling for? When will they see relief from their challenging journey?  I pray that with the money we are raising, we will help thousands of people to have enough food, have work to pay for schooling and shelter and to live a life of joy and adventure too

May I leave with this note of the benediction we received after our Celebration service this afternoon and printed in our devotional Reflectors.

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He fill your heart with delight, at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing, once again through our doors.
... And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you always.

Travel to California, arrival at Vanguard University and prep work

This week Hank, Phil Quist and I left at 6 AM for the trip across the country to Costa Mesa CA.  We traveled 2300 miles taking 70 across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah.  In Utah we picked up 15 to 215 in California.  On the way we stopped in Lincoln NE with Hank's cousin John Dahm and his wife Susan. They were gracious hosts and provided us with a gourmet supper.  Thanks John and Sue.  We also stayed in Erie Co with my daughter Sarah Boonstra and her three children. Love my visit to connect again with grandkids and watch a baseball game Grant played.  Sarah and Brian are in the middle of a big renovation to the basement so it was good we got out of their hair and got back on the road early the next morning.  Headed to Las Vagas but stopped in Glenwood Springs to view the hot springs there.  Gorgeous ride through Glenwood Canyon. 

We then headed to Las Vagas a place neither Hank nor I had ever seen or visited.  We walked through the Bellagio, MGM, Planet Hollywood, New York New York and the Excelsior and they all started to look the same. 

                                                     Paris Casino

Hank and Phil standing in front of the New York New York casino with an imitation of the Statue of Liberty.  I am sure real thing will be much more impressive.  We stayed on the strip at an inexpensive hotel which allowed us to walk the strip late in the evening and early in the morning to observe what was happening. When I walked through Planet Hollywood at 5 AM. people were already drinking, gambling and playing at the slot machines.  Not a place Hank and I are eager to visit again. 

On Thrusday night we stayed with Scott and Kristin and their family.  It was a joy to visit with all my kids within a week and to connect with grandkids.  They all think I am crazy to do what I am doing.  I hope I don't embarrass them too much by doing such an audacious crazy activity at age 65.

Friday we arrived at Vanguard and the excitement started.  As we were greeted by others who were familiar and we had not seen for a while. People are ready to start the tour.  I have already heard some interesting stories from cyclists . One cyclist lost her bike while traveling by air to Vanguard. After 24 hours past and no bike showed up, she bought a new bike.  Late this afternoon the airline reported it found in "Denver and it would arrive tomorrow.  Unfortunately the young lady will start her bike ride. The good news is that the airlines will pay for her new bike and she will have her old bike returned to her.   Following are some pictures I have taken from the past several days.

Phil Quist, Bev and Jay Pruim and Henry DeVries

Luanne at registration welcoming cyclists with a great smile

Terry selling the merchandise.

                                                 Bikes assembled after having been packed

assembly of bikes

Newport Beach

Carol and Rich Rienstra

Jane Brouwer and myself

at Newport Beach

Newport Beach

Grandma and Grandpa DeJagers will be biking the whole distance.