Short detour

July 28, 2017

San Ardo to Soledad

Woke up late.

So what.

Coffee and a slice of some blueberry muffin loaf.

Steve and I pretty much talked non stop for half hour or so.

Cool dude and very hospitable.

Wind was brutal today.

Had just crossed over where G14 crosses over Cattleman road at San Lucas.

Half way up a little incline when a pickup pulls up in front of me and stops.

Carl had seen me riding up the pass the previous day.

Talked on the side of the road for a bit.

At Greenfield all bokes have to exit the highway.

No problem.

They always have a short detour on a side road.

This one was not short.

About ten miles long.

For all the trouble it was worth I rode through some beautiful vineyards.

Some laden with fruit.

Others newly planted.

I stopped at Soledad.

Hips are hurting a bit.

Thirty more miles to Salinas.

Tomorrow.

With that I say goodnight.

May Christ's love fill you all!

D.

Not the bike path

July 27, 2017

San Luis Obispo to San Ardo

Do not take the little bike path!

Found that out the hard way.

I took it the first time thinking it would keep me off the main road.

It takes you down into a myriad of dirt roads.

I went back down the hill to almost where I had originally begun and went for my second attempt.

Stay on the main road.

A successful ride up to the top of Cuesta Pass.

I stopped often today getting off the bike and walking, stretching.

It was getting late when I left Bradley to get back on 101.

The shoulder of the highway was horrible.

Atrotious.

It was like having a speed bump every three feet.

At least it was not as bad as the one in Arizona.

8.30 I exited off the highway to San Ardo.

Found a place to lay down at the top of a little incline next to a locked gate leading into a field.

And then a car drives up.

Steve was certainly an angel in disguise.

Invited me to stay and campout at his place.

Gave me some chicken to eat and a cold drink.

He even took the bike for a little spin up the road and back.

Glad I met him.

Really, it is more than that.

Glad God put him in my path!

Can't have that

July 26, 2017

Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo

It was a good day of riding.

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What I wrote in the morning and posted on FB.

Anyone want to give a little toward my expenses so I can make it to the next month?

Thanks in advance if you are able.

I am being "broken" in a number of ways on this ride for missions.

Exciting and difficult both.

The end result will be worth all the time, all the miles.

To help others be free in ways many of us are already.

Thanks again and love to you all!

D.

And so you all know, I have, according to the maps, right around 1300 miles left to ride.

Guess that means I have done around 2300 or so.

At #tencentsamile that will certainly help the work in India and Papua New Guinea.

Praying for one hundred people to give at the end of this ride.

pedalsforpeople.blogspot.com

PayPal.Me/TravelByBike01

D.

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On the way to San Luis Obispo and points north.

Traveling on 101 and side roads parallel to it.

Who will I meet today?

How will the Lord show Himself?

Another day of adventure on this crazy ride for missions!

I have said it so many times before and I'll say it again.

Thanks for all the prayers, the encouragement, the help along the way.

Love to all!

D.

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San Luis Obispo.

The size of the homes I rode by through the canyon roafs were quite impressive.

To early to find a spot.

Will sit in Starbucks for a while and work on the blog and some emails.

D.

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And throughout the day, God stepped in.

Even more so when I was sitting at Starbucks.

A cool place to wait, people watch and talk.

In a conversation with a gentleman about the ride for missions and he asks where I am going to stay the night.

Was going to try and find an out of the way spot to lay down.

Can't have that I was told.

So he pulls out money from his wallet, hands it to me, and tells me it is for lodging for the night.

Not sure how anyone else would react but I was rather shocked.

And amazed.

So, I used that gift for a motel room.

Isn't that a great way to end the day!

D.

My story, your story

July 23, 2017

Awake at 5.30

Stuffed my sleeping bag into its little pouch, rolled up the mattress, pulled on a clean, non-stinky shirt and coasted down the hill.

Arrived in town at six.

Sitting at Starbucks until around eight when I will go back up the hill for some fellowship.

Went past the entrance for Pepperdine.

Today is the championships for a surfing competition here.

I'd go and watch but more important for me to spend some time in worshipping the Lord with others.

Looking out the window and people watching.

Surfers holding their boards and pushing themselves along on skateboards.

Others walking along the side of the highway.

Lots of beach cruiser bikes.

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Some folk have sent me some notes on FB about folk asking questions along the way.

Yes, I do have a story to tell.

About me, Jesus, family, love.

We all have a story.

I get to tell mine while riding 3600 miles this summer.

Make sure you tell yours.

Life stories are valuable.

You never know how your story could impact and change a life!

Malibu stars

July 22, 2017

Got a bit of a late start today.

Just after seven when I started riding.

Fifteen miles of riding along the beach path.

Even past muscle beach in Venice.

And so many volleyball games.

I did make it to Malibu.

The beginning of it.

Found stretches for twenty-one miles!

Spectacular views from up on the bluff overlooking the beach and the PCH.

The downside is all the partying.

I am for celebrating life each day, just not the way it is done by those in this world.

Much more freeing to rejoice with unbound joy in the Lord!

Got on the Coast Highway about six.

Exited at Cross Creek.

Sat at Starbucks figuring out the best place to camp.

Will not post where I slept out under the stars.

I'll say this.

A very safe, peaceful spot right close to a fellowship.

Reminiscing

July 21, 2017

Left Fred and Joan's today.

Such an incredible time of reminiscing and learning more about the family.

Some of the stories told were hilarious.

Some were heartbreaking.

Found out a few new tidbits about my two older brothers and myself.

Went on the road through Camp Pendleton.

Met a couple "Rangers" with whom I was able to share a bit about this adventure.

Shortly after I rode off the base I met an older man traveling the same direction.

A retired physician.

He and a friend are fling to Australia to group bike a section of the Ocean Road Highway.

His friend is going to the Greenspeed factory in the Melbourne area to pick up a GT20 for their ride.

He called his friend while we were standing there on the bike path.

The number of bike paths down here is crazy!

Riding right next to the ocean is so enjoyable and refreshing.

A blast!

Made it to Seal Beach.

More difficult to find a place to camp along this route.

Still doable though.

I have seen so many homeless people sleeping in the little "parks" along the way.

Breaks me knowing I cannot help them all.

Lord Jesus protect them.

Help them have peace in You.

Give me the ability, the where-with-all, the discernment to do what I can.

A short something to add here.

I had pulled off onto a church parking lot for a rest and stretch.

"Nick" pulls up in his car and asks if he can buy me dinner.

Swallowed my ego and said yes.

Prayed for me and this ride for missions.

Humbling.

And powerful.

Laughter visited

July 18, 2017

From Theresa:

It has been so good seeing you David Ingraham!! I am so impressed by all your endeavors to reach your goal of riding your bike through multiple states to raise money for the missionaries of Papua New Guinea! I've enjoyed all the stories of how many good people you have met along the way, and how God has provided and protected You! I will be praying for the next stage of this adventure and until you reach your final destination when you make it home in Washington State. 

Way too nice of words!

I accept the compliments and the prayers!

Went to Souplantation again.

Do not think I could ever get tired of the variety there!

This day I got to see Ann along with Theresa and Aunt Louise.

None of them have changed.

Still lively.

Adventerous.

Committed to God and His purposes.

So good to encourage one another.

Pretty sure we started talking on the way to the restaurant and did not stop until I got dropped off at Joan and Fred's.

Surprised I still have a voice left.

Glad they did not kick us out with all the loud laughter coming from our table!

So many stories.

And great to hear how the Lord has directed all their children in ministry.

It was like there was no interruption from when we were young and their family would stay in Chewelah for summer vacation.

Such a delight and joy to catch up!

So much love.

Sounds as if we will visit again on Thursday.

And new tires should come in that same day.

Friday or Saturday I will leave and begin my journey north up the coast!

Ben and Norma are you ready for a visit?

All it took

July 17, 2017

Worked on finding tires.

Put the new ones on while at Mark and Cyndi's.

Already wearing to the blue threads.

Some of it from the roads.

Farm roads.

Dirt roads.

Country roads.

Broken roads.

Even some smooth roads.

Kinda like our lives.

Those broken roads can be fixed.

Need to let God do what He does best.

A homemade soup that my sister Joan made.

Chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, spices.

Lots of story telling this day when Theresa and my Aunt Louise came over for a visit.

Laughter.

Memories.

Hugs.

Figured it had been seventeen years since had seen one another.

Last time was at the 50th anniversary celebration for Irene and Roland and family reunion in northern California east of Redding.

Did see Theresa and her kids since then.

And all it took was getting on a bike and pedalling!

Amazing!

Ramona

July 16, 2017

In Ramona.

Left early from where I was sleeping.

Got here at 7.30

Basically all down hill.

Had I known how easy the ride would be, I'd have come last night.

That said, it was cool and brisk for a nice morning ride.

At McD's.

A little coffee and work on updating a few items.

Have a beautiful day of fellowship!

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Fred and Joan came with the pickup to pick me up.

They came forty miles from Oceanside.

We sat for a while before loading up the bike.

Made it back to the house around one.

Went to Souplanation.

Wish there was a eatery like this up north!

Ten different styles of soups.

Huge variety of salads.

Pastas.

Desserts.

Filled to contentment.

Slept solid.