SEA to SEA
Bicycling Together To Leave Hunger Behind

I have not had internet for over five days. Here are a few highlights:

1. We now are out of the great plains. We left Iowa on Friday, crossed the upper Mississippi, and now are in Madison, Wisconsin.

2. We had our fourth departure due to injury. Friday, Don was caught between a rumble strip and newly laid gravel. The gravel spilled into the 18 inch space we all try to follow. He wanted to cross the rumble strip but found two large vehicles bearing down. He hit the gravel and found himself on the ground. Ouch! A number of us had similar experiences and were only saved by the grace of God. He was our second collar bone accident. We have had 13 ER stops with falls, some with major asphalt burns but the riders are still with us.

3. In the last two days we have had some of our best roads and worst. Worst is defined as no shoulders, hardened cracks making a very rough ride, and busy and fast traffic. Best, is defined as wide shoulders, smooth asphalt, beautiful scenery, few long climbs, and a nice tail wind.

4. We were on a bicycle trail (old railroad bed) for about eight miles today. I thought it would be great to go slow, maybe 6-10 miles per hour. Not this group. Not even myself. We raced along...as fast as we could go ... because we did not know what would be around the next corner. Was that a lesson we missed?

5. Last Wednesday we woke up to rain and rode in rain for three hours. It was cool but refreshing although I wished I had repaired my windshield. It was so dark. I failed to realize until later I still had my attachable eye shades on my glasses. Jan will tell you I never wear sunglasses nor sun screen for that matter. Events like this have changed me ... a little ... perhaps for the better. Jan will be the judge of that.

6. We rode through a small town of about 1,900 people today, Saturday. The name of the town was Mt. Horeb. The Coffee and Wine Bistro served any and all cyclists free banana bread and all the water, coke, and lemonade we could drink ... free. Those of you who have read my notes on the Appalachian Trail will remember Trail Magic. The same is true here. People love to live vicariously through the lives and experiences of others. I wonder if that tells us something about the dissatisfaction we have in our own lives or the need and desire to seek deeper fulfillment.

7. We were gathered in a small park about a mile from the Madison Christian Reformed Church that is hosting us. We were then escorted to the church parking lot and welcomed with shouts, clapping, and a small brass quartet. About 100 people were there at 3:00 P.M. Saturday afternoon to welcome us including the Madison city Alderman. We are treated like celebrities ... undeserved for sure.

8. The church opened it's auditorium this evening and showed the movie The Flying Scotsman. It was a story of a man who won the Bicycle speed racing records in 1993 and 1995. Appropriate???

9. I woke up this morning with the rain falling on my tent and within my tent, on my feet. Overall, I was warm and comfortable and stayed there for a while, wet feet and all. Yep, that is also the way I sometimes live my life as well.

10. Overall, I feel really good. Someone complimented me today on my loss of weight and increased bicycle strength. We noted that all the serious accidents were by very experienced bicyclists. I am amazed that we have completed six weeks and over 2,400 miles. I have thought seriously about selling my bicycle the day after completion. Now, I think I will keep it until as least spring. With more experience, comes more confidence and more enjoyment. Such is life on the road. Lou August 9, 2008