Day three (May 29 2017)

Day three

May 29, 2017

It's amazing what a good night sleep can do.

Met Roger and Cory who we're also camping at the KOA campsite, and they knew the shellers from Odessa.

Had a great breakfast of an omelette, fried potatoes and toast with jam.

Thanks to whoever paid it for me.

You may remain anonymous, yet your generosity will be remembered.

Everyone seems amazed that I am taking this trip and that I'm taking it for the reasons that I explain to them.

Well, today, day three, was a different kind of day.

I didn't leave the camp ground until 9:30 or maybe even 9:45.

It was 15 miles from where I camped to where I joined up with Highway 12 going towards Lewiston.

All I can say is that it was hot, hot, hot!

I had to stop every 5 miles and drink and put my wet washcloth on my head.

I took a two hour siesta underneath a large shade tree in a person's yard.

I did ask first.

I knocked on the door of the house and when the gentleman answered I explained to him that I was just riding my bike and needed a place to rest for a bit.

He told me to take all the time I needed.

So, I did!

I so much wanted to reach Lewiston today, but thankfully it is only another 30 miles from here.

I am going to have to find a new tire for the front left.

This one is getting so worn that I can start to see it's "a blue no ride anymore strips" underneath the rubber.

Robert, who's motel I am staying at for the night, said that the hardware store up the street opens at eight or something in the morning.

He said it's owner has a variety of different bike parts.

All I need is just one tire and maybe a tube and I can make it to Lewiston.

I know that it's going to be extremely hot again tomorrow, so I will make sure and fill up my water jugs again.

I am unsure of the distance I have traveled because the Strava program lost contact with the GPS.

Once I got to 261 coming up over the Palouse, there was no more signal.

I did make it to Palouse Falls, but did not get to see them.

It seemed like it took me three hours to go 8 miles up the hill from where I first got onto 261.

When I got down close to where I would be able to see the falls, the young man who was helping to direct traffic told me it would be up to an hours wait.

I was pretty tired by that point of the day, so I decided "no".

Back up the dusty dirt road.

He did stop on his way out and handed me a very nice cold bottle of water.

When I got to 261 I knew that it was only another five or 6 miles down to the recreation area where I could get water and rest under some shade.

I pulled next to the restrooms and got off my bike looking for somewhere to fill my water bottles.

Derek and his brother(?), saw me and started asking questions.

Oh, there were two other older gentleman who had served in the military who were there with their spouses enjoying the day.

They are some pretty incredible questions about the bike and about what I was doing.

So, Derek invited me over for some hamburgers and fruit and such as that.

I was so tired, but I don't think I was a very sociable person.

But I'll tell you what, Derek and all of his family and relatives, were very gracious and hospitable.

Unfortunately, my stomach did not necessarily agree with all that good food.

I did not get sick, but my stomach was sure rebelling.

I am pretty sure it was from all the heat of the day.

So, it was a very great time meeting them and getting to know them.

They were certainly a blessing to me after having ridden that far.

They told me about KOA campground just a mile away.

Today, day three, as I said, was another uniquely hot day.

I am never going to take shade for granted again!

Tomorrow I have a three mile uphill, then a nice descent on the other side.

Today I went thirty eight, maybe forty miles.

Gonna ask around and see if someone knows of a church in Lewiston where I can pitch my tent outside.

Churches are a good place for refuge from the heat.

And they are quite safe for bikers to stay at.

I am sure there are a few more details I am forgetting.

Will try and fill them in over the next few days.

One more item of interest.

D. Argenta of the Connell police department pulled me over on the highway.

Wanted to make sure I was doing ok.

Kudos to the town of Connell for making sure I was alright!

That's all folks!

Goodnight!

Shalom!

Day 1 May 27 2017

Day one of the "ride for missions" is now in the books.

It was beautiful riding today.

Sun shone the whole 69.1 miles.

I was totally blessed and humbled at the same time throughout the hours as I pedalled.

I came down Dodson Road to Frenchman Hills Road and over to Potholes State Park and Mardon Resort.

Every single site for RVs campers and tents were completely filled!

I could smell the different breakfast cooking over the fires and grills that everyone had out.

Said a brief-in-passing hello to a guy who was walking for Veterans

I took the long way over O'Sullivan Dam and it was gorgeous!

The ride itself was great and I was able to hand out four cards to people that I met.

I was also able to share with them a bit of the reasoning behind this ride.

One place I stopped for a break was just south of Othello on SR 17.

Plenty of nice shade under the outside sitting area.

Had a nice crisp apple as part of my snack.

I could have sat there for a few hours. 

Maybe I should have!

countrycousins.farm

While I was sitting there in the wonderfully cool shade, I had a very nice conversation with Michal.

He was following along looking at the map as we talked.

The only hard part of the whole day was two flats.

I patched one, put it back in and started.

Not more, and probably less than a mile down the road, I got another flat.

Different spot on the tire altogether and pulled over again.

I'm glad I had at least one extra spare tube because now I have both of those patched.

To be totally honest, shredded truck tire debris is not my friend!

Those tiny slivers of metal are not always parricularly easy to find!

Well 69.1 miles is not too shabby!

I do know that it was hot!

My legs are going to be quite dark and tanned by the time this ride is complete. 

I am now at the public park in Connell Washington and it is beautiful here.

The bathrooms are fairly clean, they have running water which is actually hot, and nice shade trees.

I remember my last bike ride to Albuquerque in 2015.

I recall that as I got close to the end of my first day I had problems with my rear wheel on the recumbent.

Flat and my pump had gone kaput.

At least this time everything worked. 

The patches held, and even though I was out in the sun I did not feel as worn out.

Maybe I'm getting better at changing things on the side of the road with semi's whizzing by.

I think that will do for now.

Any questions?

If so, ask away.

Ten cents a mile.

PayPal.Me/TravelByBike01

Shalom,

D.

Giving

Was reminded I needed to share the link to donate to missions through this pedaling adventure.

Here it is.

PayPal.Me/TravelByBike01

Shalom,

D.

Twenty-four hours

In twenty-four hours, or right around there, I will be setting out, putting my feet on the pedals of the recumbent bike, making the first of how many revolutions of the tires, on the beginning of this summer's travels for missions.

I am praying and thanking the Lord in advance for being able to pedal four thousand miles in the next three months.

So many people to thank for standing, walking, praying and helping me with this adventure.

You know who you are.

Family and friends alike.

Quite a number of people have asked me if I will be pedaling through the areas where they live.

If I will be stopping and saying hello.

I would love to have the joy of visiting each one of you.

Would be great to pedal down each dirt road to a country farmhouse or turn in to the concrete drive of your home.

Reality check number one.

That scenario will most likely not happen.

The best way of travel for this journey is to begin and finish at the same location.

Not sure if that will come out as a somewhat straight line and back again or end up looking like a squiggly loop.

I do know I will be pedaling south.

It is important I reiterate again this ride is not about me setting any sort of personal record or wanting any kudos or clap on the back.

People.

This ride is about people.

Encouraging, praying, giving, living out what it means to follow Jesus.

Personal.

Vulnerable.

Willing.

None of this summer would be worth anything without Jesus going beside me.

Would you pray I would be bold yet humble.

Speak yet also be quiet in listening.

What is the real goal of this pedaling mission?

The love of Jesus imparted in whatever manner He chooses.

If you want to follow along the blog site is:

pedalsforpeople.blogspot.com

Ten cents a mile for missions.

For one day's ride that would be like one cup of fancy coffee.

Something to think about.

One last comment.

Remember, God, who created everything out of speaking, who gave breath of life into man, loves you more than you could ever imagine or know.

Don't give up.

He is on your side.

Shalom,

D.

Ten cents a mile

Ten cents a mile.

You could donate to missions for one day's ride.

A week.

A month.

paypal.me/TravelByBike01


Ta!

Thank-yous

This is a note about thank-yous.

These aren't in any particular order or gratitude.

These are all simply, thank-yous that I feel I need to share.

Many people have contributed to my being able to take this bike adventure for missions.

This is definitely not a single-handed feat.

So many people have been in the process of this all becoming a reality and carrying out to fruition.

I want to thank the man who donated the recumbent bicycle for this trip.

Some people would think, or assume, that this gentleman would have to be quite rich or wealthy to do to be able to afford such a generous gift.

That could be farther from the truth.

This gentleman has done all of his giving from just the generosity of his heart.

And that to me is one of the greatest character traits that any of us could ever have.

To give completely out of our own desire, our own need, or our own greed.

That is what we as believers in Christ are to do, without hesitation.

I am forever thankful to him for his willingness to give toward this adventure for missions.

The many different bike shops that I have gone to for help, for knowledge, and for encouragement has been an invaluable part of this adventure as well.

Northwest Recumbent Bikes

Gary Dagastine / President

NorthWest Recumbent Cycles Inc.

PO Box. 2070

Post Falls, Idaho 83877-2070

208-818-5491

www.NWRecumbentCycles.com

Gary@NWRecumbentCycles.com

Mark Waters

Backcountry Recumbent Cycles

541-323-3460

www.arkel.ca

Absolutely great panniers. Used them on my ride in 2015. Glad I get to use them again.

Of course, I cannot leave out other people from this list of thank-yous.

Without people encouraging, pushing, and praying with me in this journey, I would probably still be thinking through the possibility.

There's a couple of people I would like to thank you by name.

My children are always among those I need to thank.

Michal, Brendon and Tabitha, Jonathan, Kacia.

Ever since I started planning this bike adventure, they have consistently and constantly been behind every decision.

They have helped me with planning, with finding the right equipment, and with staying on task.

They even laugh at my jokes!

Though he may not know it, my friend Kevin Guinn, who is walking the Pacific Crest Trail, and his wife Becky, have truly encouraged me in this adventure.

Dan and Tani thanks for your encouragement as well.

Others who have biked many more miles than I have, have also been a source of inspiration.

I have read many accounts and blogs of riders traveling the different routes across the United States.

I am thankful for all their knowledge and experience that they have shared in various forms and ways.

I could turn this post into a tome of writing with all the many more thank-yous I could mention. 

Family and friends alike.

Most of all I am totally thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has helped me on this life adventure in more ways than I could ever account or write about.

I am extremely excited to begin this trip and to see the divine appointments and conversations that He brings about.

So with all that, a huge thank you to all!

D.

May 16 2017

In right around two weeks I will begin this next peddling adventure.

Before I really get into this blogging about the adventure, I want to share some about our trip to Omaha.

The trip itself was very exciting and very rewarding.

I want to relate how God showed his hand of grace and mercy as we traveled back from Omaha. 

There were some vibration and such in the front of the car as we drove to Omaha.

On the return trip it became more severe and noticeable.

it would settle down as we reached a higher speed on the freeway, and then when I would break for an offramp, the front would shake and it felt as if the steering wheel would vibrate loose from my hands.

When we arrived back to the farm, the next day I took the the Subaru into the tire shop where last November they had installed new brakes and tires.

As they began to work on the vehicle it became clear that the problem was more than just a tire being out of balance.

The right front brake caliper and rotor were frozen.

Who would have thought that we would be able to drive on such a troublesome problem.

There are so many situations that come to mind with this sort of problem.

Just the heat generated from those two parts being frozen up would've been enough to cause a fire, breakage, or a bad accident.

I wanted to share this very short story to show that even in our bumbling mistakes God still shows his grace and mercy.

It is wonderful to know that he protects us even when we are silly and foolish.

God is good all the time!

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

May 15 2017

It's been a while since I have written anything on this blog.

From May 2 until May 9 we were on a road trip to Omaha Nebraska to celebrate and rejoice with Kacia's graduation from Grace University. It was a great time of seeing family, friends and attending many wonderful activities.

If you want to be challenged, the talk at commencement was about obscurity in greatness. 

Kacia graduated magna cum laude with a teaching degree. She will be working at a camp this summer and then beginning her student teaching in the fall.

Mom Stucky, Jonathan, Tamara and I had a fun time driving to Omaha and back. We stopped at several places to view the tourist traps and enjoy some of the natural wonders of the area. On the way back we were able to stop at Mount Rushmore.

Since arriving back at the farm, life has gotten busy again.

In right around two weeks I will be leaving, and pedaling south towards Florida.

At this point, at least, that is the plan.

I am also considering and contemplating a circular route that would allow me to start and finish at the farm.

This would keep all the logistics, the shipping of the bike, airfare, and other questionable items to a minimum.

I will know with certainty the route I will be taking after a meeting I have on the 25th of this month.

The bike is in great shape, the bags are attached, and I am ready spiritually, emotionally and physically. In my own opinion at least!

I hope to get in another 200 or more miles of break-in and training before I set off on this journey and adventure of faith.

This whole adventure is for raising awareness and finances for missions. In particular, the finances will go toward two wonderful opportunities of ministry.

I want all that is done on this journey to be glorifying to Him and to and to show forth His mighty and wonderful testimony.

I will keep trying to figure out how to  post some more photos of the bike and all the paraphernalia attached to it very soon.

And I will also share some more about our roadtrip and God's grace.

Thank you for praying and lifting me up before the throne of grace as I hope to have some divine appointments and conversations with people I meet along the road.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.