Well. let's get this going.

The following may be a bit long yet it will help you to know why I am doing this adventure.

Recumbent bicycle touring trip to help people.

Why?
To help people and to share the need of education, clean water, health/hygiene, escape from human trafficking, and most importantly, the Word of the Lord spoken out and released into lives and communities.

Distance?
Riding a recumbent bike 3000+ miles from Ephrata WA to the warm climes of Florida.
More likely it will be closer to 3500.
But what is an extra few hundred miles?!

Route?
There are several routes which have been suggested, looked at, discarded and then someone suggests a new direction, a new path.
I am sticking with the original plan of going diagonally across the US.
I hope to use some Adventure Cycling Association maps to help me a bit.
Knowing me, there will also be adventure down many side roads.
I will post more about the actual route soon.

Timeframe?
Summer of 2017.

The Bike?
I will be riding one of those funny looking three wheel recumbent trikes.
Have done several century rides on an "up wrong" bike, as one of my friends calls a diamond frame bike.
So why a recumbent?
Stability, no sore back or neck, no numbness in the nether regions.
It is more comfortable for me pedaling all those miles.
I can get out of the mesh seat after a day of travel and still feel good.
Some have asked if there will be need of a trailer getting pulled along behind.
Going to go without this time if possible.

How will this help people in need?
This question has come up in conversation more than a few times.
There are many people in need.
The homeless.
Refugees.
People without food, shelter or water.
The desperate crying out.
Why did I decide to help these specific causes, these people, through this bike adventure?
I read about the need and I know about the need.
As a believer in Christ it is quite simple.
He directs my life and the opportunities to be involved in.

Have you ever done anything like this before?
In 2015 I rode a Greenspeed GT3 to Albuquerque NM.
1460 some miles over the course of a month.
Five days of that month were rest/recoup days.
Was able to raise funds for two different ministries in Papua New Guinea.

What about danger/safety?
Everyone I met on my previous trip was more than helpful.
There were a couple of times where a truck came a bit close for comfort.
Most drivers will give a wide berth as they pass me.
Waving hello helps a lot.
Praying.
Singing songs.

Where will you sleep?
On my last bike adventure I slept behind concrete barriers on road construction sites and other times rode a few hundred feet off the road and pitched my tent.
Had times where folk invited me into their homes.
And of course campgrounds.
And I am not against a motel when I may have need for a good cleansing.

How will you raise finances for missions riding a bike?
My prayer is to raise upwards of $3500 for missions.
That would be twice the amount of the previous bike adventure.
That would be like twelve people pedaling with me!
Of course the more the more fun!
I can see myself going up and down the passes with all of you hanging on!
Or helping to push me along when we hit pockets of wind!
Would be over the top if thirty or more folk joined in this adventure!

Are you being sponsored/supported?
Yes.
Some friends from college days are helping.
Others from our family's time when we lived in Papua New Guinea.
Others are supporting by encouragement.
Most of all there are many praying.
One point I would like everyone to remember.
This is not about me.
Not about one person doing an adventure.
It is about us.
Inclusive not exclusive.
It is about doing something that in the end will benefit others who do not have what so many do.
Life.
Health.
Freedom.
Love.
Community.

Food?
I will be carrying enough food for three days with me on the bike.
Give or take.
I hope!
Whole pizzas have been known to go missing as well!
And it is just fine if anyone along the way wishes to donate food!

How can others be involved?
The question!
Prayer is always good!
What about giving you ask.
Asking for finances can be a sensitive and sometimes complicated topic.
So, let's keep it simple.
10 cents a mile (10 cents/mile) for each mile pedaled.
Basically $300 (300 dollars) given to missions for the whole trip.
If twelve people say yes to supporting this adventure that would be $3600 raised!
I will keep track of the miles by the bike computer.
Will be setting up some sort of Paypal account.
At the end of the adventure you can give to the mission(s) for which I am pedaling.
Or if you like, you can even give during the adventure!
No reminders to give in your mail box.
No pressure.
Should you desire to give, beautiful and wonderful!

Where will the donations go?
There are always so many places that need help.
At times we feel burdened by seeing TV commercials or advertisements in magazines.
Even appeals on the internet.
There are two specific missions this pedal adventure would like to help.
One is in India.
The other is in Papua New Guinea where my heart strings still get pulled!
Finances given will be split between the two.

Why not just give to missions?
One can certainly give directly to missions.
Praise God for those people who do!
One of the added benefits of this adventure is the personal touch of talking, sharing, learning from others, speaking into and having others speak into me, around campfires, on the side of the road, and prayerfully in a few small group settings.
Two projects I plan to do after this adventure on the bike are a book, as I did also from the ride to NM, and a short video.
I will be journaling each day.
Hope to record small snippets of peoples lives as we meet along the way.
To video what others have to say about life.
To listen, pray, encourage, share and hope.

Is anyone going with you?
At this point, no one is pedaling along with me.
This is a self supported trip.
I have my tent, Trangia stove (excellent, by the way), sleeping bag, etc.
I am certainly not adverse to having anyone pedal with me.
I do not go fast.
I will average fifty to sixty miles daily.
Some days may be longer.
Some shorter.
This is not a race.
It is about people.
I will be stopping often to take a picture, talk and learn.

Communication?
I will be keeping this blog site.
The phone is always good.
When I stop for "fuel" or a rest I will be checking my phone.
Pictures and updates on FB.
Email.
Still thinking through whether to put a data plan on my phone or not.

What about training?
80/20
The two numbers add up to 100.
Have read more than once that eighty percent of what we do on an adventure is mental and twenty percent is physical.
Training will take place as soon as I am able to purchase the bike.
There are many areas around where I can workout on hills and passes.

When will you start counting the miles?
From the first ride.

Spiritual?
Easy.
Many years ago I gave my life to Christ.
Have I always been faithful?
Nope!
Have I rebelled?
Yes!
Have I made mistakes?
More than one.
Does that make me unfit to still serve and help make Him known?
Absolutely not!
Riding a recumbent cross country is one specific way I am able to continue helping people.

Anyone can serve.
Anyone.
The Lord uses all.
Broken.
Bruised.
Battered.
All.
He uses all.

So, what are you waiting for?