Atlantic Ocean, Jersey City, New Jersey

NOTE: Pictures missing from last blog have now been posted. I am sitting on a curb in a fancy neighbourhood in some Jersey City suburb borrowing a wireless connection!

After 9 weeks, or the months of July and August, or the whole summer, we have arrived at the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, off of Jersey City. It’s over, we are done, and we made it! At this point it has not yet sunk in, but I remember the wonderful feeling that completing my first marathon, and every marathon after that in a different way, gave me. This was like that and more. The idea that I cycled across North America, up all those mountain passes and through deserts and over hills and dales, and that Diane cooked her way (for an average of 200 people a day) across North America, boggles the mind, and it will take some time to sort through the feelings of accomplishment and the life lessons learned. An obvious lesson that could not be missed was the presence and faithfulness of God. Just the fact that I had all that bike trouble yesterday instead of today, when I might have missed that final ride in through the city under police escort…..

All in all, it was a wonderful day, and a great way to finish what we started in Seattle 9 weeks ago. After an early breakfast, we cycled for almost 85 kms over several more hills to the staging area – the place where we gathered en masse for a group picture and to prepare for our last 10 mile ride in - just outside of Jersey City. Just before arriving at that area, while waiting in a parking lot at an intersection with many other cyclists, who jumps out of a car to greet me? See below…

Yup, that’s brother Peter and Marja. They had hoped to surprise me, but the cat had been let out of the bag a couple of weeks before the tour began through no fault of theirs. A local Jersey pastor had let me know he had reserved 4 tickets for me for the final celebration dinner and I had done no such thing. I let him know, and he replied that he had confused me for the Slofstra from Ontario. So there went the secret, in spite of my mother’s brave attempts to say it wasn’t so. My mom, unfortunately – or perhaps fortunately – is a very poor liar!

At the staging area we lined up for the final 10 miles, all of which took place under police escort. Several cars were involved, and they blocked every intersection and the roads behind us so that we owned the road we rode on. It was awesome, and everywhere people cheered or honked their horns at the sight of over 200cyclists in their Sea to Sea shirts. What a joyful ride it was!

The pictures below probably don’t need any description, so I won’t bother. I hope you enjoy them.





We were shuttled to our camp for the night, Eastern Middle School, then got cleaned up for dinner and the celebration service hosted by the local NJ CRCs. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the service was lively and loud. Above all, we thanked God for the opportunity we had to complete this ride, for the safety with which we were blessed, and for the small way we were able to help in ending the cycle of poverty.

Now we are in a gym with just under 100 other cyclists, trying to get some sleep. We are not allowed to sleep outside here, some city ordinance, so we are sharing a bedroom with many others. Diane is already asleep while I finish this blog. I will soon join her.

Thank you to the Lord for this great experience, thank you to all our family and church family and many others for your support and prayers. We are looking forward to going home.

Today’s stats (not including final 10 escorted miles):

Distance: 85.45 kms
Average speed: 22.9 kph
Maximum speed: 61.5 kph
Time in saddle: 3.43.21
# of flat tires on tour: 13

Dalton, Pennsylvania - Sussex, New Jersey

NOTE: Being in a state park, there was no wireless available, so again you're getting a 2 day report.
NOTE 2; I managed to use a school computer in Sussex, but could not upload pictures. I'll try to do that tonight. Sorry about that....

Thursday: We are in Pennsylvania for at least one day, as we travel south from New York to New Jersey and the Atlantic Coast. Because there was no entry sign on the back roads we used to cross into New York, I thought I'd take a shot of the sign looking back so you know I really was there (with Bob, Bryan, and Matt), and a shot of entering Pennsylvania.


It was cool again today, and we have yet to see the sun. Happily there is no rain, although the forecast tonight at least calls for the possibility. The ride in today was once again beautiful. Because our sweep team was on duty today we left late, at 9 a.m., after breakfast was cleaned up and the gear truck loaded. I rode with Pete Van Noord all day and we decided to ride fairly hard but also take time to stop for coffee, etc. We stopped at a diner in Conklin, NY, for coffee, and then for lunch in Nicholson.

The pictures below show you the kind of terrain we rode through all day. Forests everywhere with rolling hills - breathtaking! One of the fascinating sights of the day was the railroad bridge pictured below, the shots taken at 2 different locations, with a sign explaining its history. This bridge is now owned and operated by Canadian Pacific. It's a massive structure especially seen close up, and one can only imagine how many tons of concrete went into building it.


Speaking of fascinating sights...we rode through the village of Hop Bottom, where Walter Vink had his SAG stop today. Sitting down by his RV, I noticed a sign which read "Hop Bottom CDs Here - Thanks." That immediately gave me an idea: what if I changed a few letters around and dropped a few others? Well, you see the "end" result below. From left to right are Pete Van Noord, Dirk Van Wyngaarden, and yours truly! Bottoms up!

I arrived in Lackawwana State Park just after 2 p.m. The tent was already up and, most important, the queen size air mattress had been inflated. Diane and I had to walk a few minutes to get a warm shower, and it's too cool to swim - the lake here is not very appealing anyway. We're on a group camp site, so not in the nicest area of the park. The day ended nicely, however, with a communion service celebrating the community we've experienced together throughout this amazing summer.

Now we're all wondering what tomorrow will be like, as we face the most climbing in total of any day of this whole tour. We won't be dealing with any 20 km long mountain passes but with a whole lot of shorter climbs. At this point, however, most of us feel there isn't much we can't handle anymore. We'll see...

Today's stats:

Distance: 89.62 kms.
Average speed: 25 kph
Maximum speed: 60.9 kph
Time in saddle: 3.35.13
# of flat tires on tour: 9

Friday: Up, down, up, up, up, down...and so it went all day. It was a good day, though, in spite of all the climbing and a not so pleasant day bike wise. We started off with a good breakfast of pancakes and bacon, and below you can see two of the cooks with their cakes on the griddle.

The biggest adventure of the day for me was that I had 4 flat tires (one staple, one defective inner tube, one piece of glass, and the last one caused by a tear in the outer tire which also had to be replaced), and when I got to camp I discovered that my rear tire rim (the metal wheel) was cracked badly near one of the spokes, so it was off to a bike shop first thing and the whole wheel was replaced.

The ride itself was very picturesque, with all the hills and twists and turns in the road, and the pictures below give you some idea of that, I hope.


When we got to Sussex, it was off by shuttle to a local high school for showers, where Diane and I learned how independent of me she has become. When Diane was done, she left in shuttle without waiting for me and telling me she was leaving. When I got out of the showers I waited for her as several shuttles came and went, and there was no Diane. Finally I figured out that she had already gone. Diane didn't realize she had forgotten about me, but knew she had forgotten something. Was it her purse, what? Not till she got back to the school that was hosting us did she realize it was her husband that was missing. I think we need a week vacation together...

For dinner tonight we were hosted to a royal buffet by the Sussex, NJ, and Goshen, NY, CRCs. You can see the kind of spread they laid out for us below.


We are now in a host family home for the night, and there is no internet. I'll try to post tomorrow morning but may have to wait. Tomorrow will be an exciting day, our last on this tour. The last 10 miles of the day we will be under police escort through the city until we arrive at Liberty Island park for the tire dipping in the Atlantic. Then a big celebration dinner at night. Everyone is very excited, and it should be a great way to end this grand adventure.

Today's stats:

Distance; 126.01 kms
Average speed: 20.3 kph
Maximum speed: 68.3 kph
Time in saddle: 6.10.40
# of flat tires on tour: 13

Romulus, New York - Binghampton, New York

NOTE:

1. Below I’m covering 2 days of travel since yesterday we were in a state park with no internet access. They don’t even try using the satellite dish we’ve dragged across the country anymore as it’s pretty much a useless thing. So we really depend on wireless in towns or cities we stay in, and a state park doesn’t fit that bill.
2. I post 2 pictures of Jonas Lise which I received today, just so you don't miss our latest cute grandchild!

Tuesday: It was very cold when we woke up, and the dew meant that tents were packed away very wet. Yuck! Fortunately, they dry quickly when you set them up again. The Tuesday trip went well except for one thing: I missed a turn and ended up adding 35 kms to my itinerary, which included a sightseeing tour of the towns of Waterloo and Seneca Falls, both of them way off the planned radar. Sigh…

The roads were good but hilly, and the countryside of New York State so far pretty much resembles southwestern Ontario. I couldn’t see any reason to take a photo along the way. We had a great lunch stop today, though, on a farm about 80 kms in. The East Palmyra CRC – East Palmyra is where Joseph Smith claims some angel named Moroni revealed buried golden plates to him which contained the Book of Mormon – hosted lunch on that farm. Everything was good, but the best part of all was the cherry cheesecake. I could not resist it!

Again, just so you know I don’t totally ignore wildlife, here’s a shot of a turkey vulture whom I interrupted while it was eating whatever on the side of the road. You can tell he doesn’t trust me, as he first walks, then flies away – as though I’d steal his lunch anyway!


I also stopped to smell the roses, or whatever these flowers are again.

The state park we are staying in was a naval station at one time, and it’s located on Geneva Lake, one of the so called “Finger Lakes” in this part of New York state. A bunch of us went swimming, even though we were not really supposed to because there was no lifeguard present. But we were in a group of about 10 of us and watched out for each other as we jumped off the end of a long pier time and again. It was very refreshing after a long day of cycling.

We’ve just finished supper and Diane, as usual, is busy cleaning up. She is usually done around 7:30 and pretty tired by then. Tomorrow we are being fed by a CRC in Binghamton, so that gives her a break as well as me, since my sweep team is on duty tomorrow and would have been responsible for serving dinner. Hurray!!

Tonight is supposed to be very cold again, and already we’re wearing long pants (only the second time all summer for me) and light jackets. It’s fairly comfortable in our tent, however, as we have each other and 3 blankets. But our own bed at home is looking better all the time.

One sad note: another rider who has gone the whole distance, Sarah Terpstra, has had to leave the tour. She picked up a kidney infection, and the last we heard she was in hospital needing surgery. We remember her in prayer, and ask that the Lord will heal her body and her disappointment at having to leave the tour. She was one of the top female riders.

Today’s stats:

Distance: 157.79 kms
Average speed: 23.5 kph
Maximum speed: 54.0 kph
Time in saddle: 6.42.05
# of flat tires on tour: 9

Wednesday: Today was a great day. It started out cold again, so on go the leg warmers, gloves, and jacket. But no sooner had we left camp and we were climbing, and sweating. The shot below is of Geneva Lake looking back. That’s Bill & Mary Dracht of Grand Rapids getting rid of some of their cold weather gear.

The ride was beautiful: lots of hills, some very steep and requiring granny gear, and trees everywhere. A steep side trip led to the falls pictured below which have such a long and difficult name that I can’t remember it. There wasn’t much water, and the climb to see this was hardly worth it. Yet the canyon itself is still a thing of beauty.

Halfway through the day we rode into the city of Ithaca, home of Cornell University, one of the Ivy League schools (think expensive and exclusive). Going out of the city we also encountered one of the day’s steepest hills. At the very top there was a winery, Silver Creek, so as a reward for a good climb we paid $2 and were able to sample 6 different wines. Being a generous sort of guy, I shared the 6 samples with Jake Pasma and Louis Bosma pictured here below. After all, biking with 6 samples might have made me a dangerous driver.

I got into Chenango Falls, just outside of Binghampton, shortly after 2, to find the tent already set up. The school we are in is just across from Valley CRC, and that church is feeding us dinner. They also made wireless available to us, and in a moment I’ll find out if it actually works. It’s time for a shower. The week is half over. Three days left, and it’s time to go home.

And before I forget, our newest grandson and families...



Today’s stats:

Distance: 124.19 kms
Average speed: 22.4 kph
Maximum speed: 66.3 kph
Time in saddle: 5.31.33

Byron, New York

We are back in the "land of the free and the home of the brave," though truthfully - and speaking as a Canadian (I confess my bias) - it feels more like we left the land of the free and the home of the brave.

My last blog was very brief and didn't even include a photograph. I took only one on Saturday morning, from the top of the escarpment overlooking Hamilton and Lake Ontario, and include it here below.

We had a great time with Joel & Marsha and Alicia & Arie and 7 grandchildren in Kitchener, and include a few pictures of that. There's grandpa who decided to jump in the pool in his underwear, to the great delight of the kids. Next is Madeline, our youngest granddaughter, and a real live wire. Then the two birthday boys, Colin (left) son of Joel & Marsha, and Zander, son of Alicia & Arie, enjoying a cupcake.



The other event we celebrated on Saturday night was that Joel and Marsha's offer on a new home in Peterborough was accepted. It's a large home with a large fenced yard only half a kilometre from the school where Joel is now the principal, so very exciting for them.

On Sunday morning I preached in Kitchener and had the great privilege of baptizing our latest grandchild, Jonas Arthur Lise. I cannot include his picture because I don't have one. Unbelievable, I know, but Alicia has all the pics on her camera and will send them to me. I will include a couple of these when I get them. In any case, it was a real celebration of God's faithfulness from generation to generation. Many members of some of our first two congregations were present as well, and that made it even more special. Mom & Dad: Koos was there, but Theresa sent regrets.

Following the service we had a quick lunch at Alicia's place and then left for the celebration service in Niagara Falls. Because of bad traffic due to construction on QEW, we arrived just as the service began, and missed the rainfall they had for almost an hour. The picture below gives you a sense of the crowd there, but we suspect many people stayed home because of the weather.

Present at the service also, besides numerous St. Catharines and Georgetown and Willowdale people we knew, were Diane's brother Peter and wife Joan (pictured below), along with their daughter Michelle and her 2 children. Sadly, my brother Peter and wife Marja could not be present because of the sudden death of a young teen in their congregation.

On Sunday evening, Diane's brother Andrew and wife Ena picked us up. They live in Burlington, a 45 minute drive away, but invited us out for a delicious steak dinner at a place on the beach near their house, and we slept over at their renovated home. This morning, after picking up Tim Horton coffees, they drove us back to St. Catharines, and our last week of the tour began.

Arrivng in St. Catharines, we learned that we got mail again. Another letter from mom and dad (sorry about the rooster!), a card from Chris and Jeff, and a card for each of us, with a Starbucks card for each of us, from brother John and sister-inlaw Fran. Thanks, everyone!!

We left St. Catharines in good time, and the ride into Niagara Falls was mostly on a bike path. Along that path I took a few pictures of of the Niagara gorge.


In order to enter the US again, we met in a parking lot close to the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, a 31 km ride from St. Catharines, and crossed en masse in a separate lane reserved for us. US customs didn't even stop us, they simply waved us through. Unknowingly, I managed to smuggle in an orange, right under their noses! Oh, that orange tasted good later in the day. I didn't even feel guilty.

The weather today was uncharacteristic for this time of year. Although the sun is shining again. temperatures were cool all day, no higher than 70 degrees F, and tonight will be cold again, which means there will be little separating Diane and I in our cozy tent. We are staying in an RV park outside of Byron, and a big bonfire is planned for tonight. Everyone who has been on this tour since day 1 is talking about this being our last week and how quickly the time has gone. We intend to enjoy every last moment of this wonderful journey as much as we can.

Today's stats:

Distance: 126.60
Average speed: 23.7 kph
Maximum speed: 46.6 kph
Time in saddle: 5.19.27
# of flat tires on tour: 9


Today's ride was done mostly in large groups, just because we were all together to cross the border. Only near the end of the ride was I able to ride alone for a while and be a bit more relaxed.

St. Catharines, Ontario

I'm actually in Kitchener, in the home of Arie and Alicia Lise and 4 of our grandchildren, awaiting the arrival of Joel and Marsha and 3 more of our grandchildren. Pizza for supper - hurray!

As if I needed it. Today's ride to St. Catharines included refreshment stops (ice cream fruit, cake, etc. etc) from Fruitland CRC, Shalom Manor (visited Gert De Jong), Grimsby CRC (great to see Peter & Ann de Bruyne!), Beamsville CRC, Jubilee Fellowship, and 3 other smaller groups I couldn't identify with specific churches. But thanks to all for your support and hospitality.

Arrival in St. Catharines was not without stress. The outfit I had reserved a car from had no cars available, so I insisted they had to help me find one. We did, from another agency, who had to bring in a car from Niagara Falls. Phew - so I made it to Kitchener by 3 p.m., as I had hoped.

Anyway, I'm keeping this short because I need to spend time with family. Be assured that it was a good ride today, and we're glad for the rest. We especially look forward to the baptism of Jonas Arthur Lise tomorrow, and I hope I haven't forgotten how to preach a sermon.

I'll blog again on Monday.

Today's stats:

Distance: 78.62 kms
Average speed: 25.2 kph
Maximum speed: 64.1 kph
Time in saddle: 3.06.32
# of flat tires on tour: 9

Ancaster, Ontario

I am sitting in the air conditioned comfort of the library at Redeemer University and it's wonderful. Today was the first day since Fremont, Nebraska, that we've had to deal with humidity. But hey, it's still better than rain!

It was a good day today, starting off in London, with refreshment stops in Ingersoll, Woodstock, Brantford, Jerseyville, and finally at Redeemer. Then there were the smaller stops along the way at people's homes. It's ironic of course that we are riding to raise awareness of poverty and hunger and meanwhile we are trying not to eat too much, because there is so much. But if hospitality is a gift of the Spirit, and it is, then we are meeting many gifted and Spirit filled people along our way in Canada, and we are grateful.

I didn't take many pictures today, but a few I couldn't miss. The first is looking off a bridge just outside of London early this morning. It looks darker than it actually was.

The second picture is of a road just prior to entering Woodstock. We did not realize there were so many hills in Woodstock!

Two highlights of the day were, first, meeting my former principal from TDCH, Aukje Masselink, in Jerseyville. I did not recognize her immediately but it was great to see her. Big hugs all around! I also saw one of my former teachers, Bill Barneveld, in Woodstock. Just a handshake there!! Then upon arriving at Redeemer there was Betty Beukema from Abbotsford (our church treasurer and a friend), fresh off her red eye flight, to greet me as she had promised way back in June. At least I had the sense to take her picture, because I forgot about my former teachers. Here we are at the finish at Redeemer.

The final and best highlight is that my son Joel is coming to pick me up to stay at their place in Cayuga (though they are moving, he is now principal at Christian school in Peterborough) so I get to see him and wife Marsha and 3 more of our grandchildren.

Thanks to everyone in all the churches listed above for your awesome hospitality today! Tomorrow we will have a minimum of 5 refreshment stops over a distance of 74 kms. Can't wait...

Today's stats:

Distance: 126.67 kms
Average speed: 24.0
Maximum speed: 59.5 kph
Time in saddle: 5.13.20
# of flat tires on tour: 9

London, Ontario

So I’m on my own for a few days as Diane was picked up by Alicia and 4 grandchildren this afternoon. It was a good day, with lots of headwind but not too long a distance and plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low 20’s C.

Diane’s brother Art brought us back to Chatham by 6 this morning so that Diane could do her work in the kitchen, and since I didn’t have to take down a tent I was able to leave as soon as it was light enough, which was around 6:45. Art had said he might be at a spot 25 kms along the route to cheer me on, but when I got to that spot he was nowhere to be found. About 8 kms down the road, however, just past Thamesville, a car pulled over about 500 metres ahead of me and 4 people got out of the car: Art & Sue, our niece Suzanne and her friend Hannah. I got my picture taken 3 times, and just remembered in time to take a picture of them.

From there it was on to Hope CRC in Mount Brydges for a delicious lunch of roast beef sandwiches and all sorts of fruit and salads. Their hospitality was great and much appreciated. Then it was on to London and the bike path through Springbank Park and past a place familiar to me from my childhood in Clinton: Storybook Gardens.

I don’t remember much about the place itself, but I always connect it to a time in the early 1960's, while we lived in Clinton, ON, when mom and dad took us 5 kids to a restaurant called “The Three Little Pigs” for milkshakes. This was a big deal, but whenever we went to Storybook Gardens again we wanted to go back to this restaurant, and mom would always say “No, we are going to the 5 little pigs restaurant at home.” That may have been funny to her and dad, but I can tell you that the 5 little pigs she was referring to did not find it amusing at all! We have never gotten over the trauma of this negative experience. OK, actually we did – but I have not forgotten this disappointment of my childhood! Love you anyway, mom and dad!!

We arrived in London to various different welcoming committees. They included our niece Adrienne – oldest daughter of Art & Sue referred to above – who is about 2 weeks away from delivering her first child. Can you tell from the pictures below?


We were also thrilled to see Alicia and crew, and this was my first chance to see the little fellow whom I will have the privilege of baptizing this coming Sunday, our newest grandson, Jonas Arthur Lise. So of course I include their picture below.

Finally I include a picture of the youngest member of the kitchen crew, Renata, who is leaving the tour on Saturday in order to return to school at UNB in Fredericton. She is our adopted 5th daughter whom we hope to see again some day soon.

We are being fed tonight by the CRC churches of London, but we have been fed all afternoon already: ice cream, milk, pop, baked goods, fruit, etc. I have been my usual restrained self however, especially as the weigh scale at Art & Sue’s place informed me yesterday that I have lost 22 pounds so far on the tour. My doctor will be pleased with me! And Diane likes it too…

So now we’re being called to supper and I must go to at least eat the number of calories I burned up today. Thanks to all of you for reading my blog; I am flattered that you find it interesting enough to read. And thanks again for your comments.

Today’s stats:

Distance: 124.16 kms
Average speed: 23.8 kph
Maximum speed: 51.7 kph
Time in saddle: 5.12.01
# of flat tires on tour: 9

Chatham, Ontario

We are not really in Chatham, although that was today's destination and that's where tonight's camp is. At 3 p.m. this afternoon Sue Schaafsma, wife of Diane's younger brother Art, picked us up, and we have just enjoyed a delicious meal of pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, cauliflower, applesauce, baked potato, pie - do I sound like I enjoyed dinner? - at their home in Ridgetown. We are also sleeping here tonight, and Art will bring us back to Chatham tomorrow at 6 a.m., which is when Diane needs to be back in the kitchen.

It is good to be on Canadian soil again! We all left Richmond early this morning and met in Marine City, Michigan by the lighthouse by 10 a.m. so that we could cross the border en masse. We had sent our passport information etc in advance so all we really had to do was show our passports. The pictures below show, first, how eager Diane is to get back to Canada; she is prepared to swim across but Erna Maarhuis is restraining her. Then there's a picture of us lining up to begin the crossing, and getting off at the other end, in Sombra, Ontario.



One interesting side note: the ship in the St. Clair river below was flying a Dutch flag (hard to see in picture) and carrying the stems of the contemporary windmills you now see in so many places and all over the Netherlands.

On the other side of the river, there was a wonderful and enthusiastic reception waiting for us from the Sarnia and Chatham CRC churches. Lots of people, and lots of food, and lots of fun, as you can see below.


From Sombra it was another 60 kms or so to Chatham. I drafted the whole way behind Reuben Vyn, with his kind permission. Reuben cycles for Portland State University in Portland, OR, and can easily clean my clock on a bike any day. Because of the strong headwind, this made the trip in much easier for me. In Chatham there was another warm reception waiting for us at the Memorial Arena. Quite a few people who remembered mom and dad made sure to greet me, though I can't remember their names, except that of Annie Bishop. All in all, the Sarnia and Chatham churches went all out to make everyone feel welcome in Canada and well supported. We know that this kind of welcome will continue in days to come, as we hit London, Hamilton, and St. Catharines as well. As Canadians, this is probably the most fun part of our trip. In any case, we really feel that we are home.

We also talked to daughter Janine by phone today, and it was great to hear her voice and about her pregnancy. She is due in November with her first baby and our 10th grandchild (yes, we are rich people!) and we are missing much of her pregnancy experience while on tour. We're sure we'll catch up real quick once we're home again.

Tonight we sleep in a real bed again, and a warm home. Last night it was very cold and the tent was very wet, from dew, when we woke up. We dried the tent when we arrived in Chatham, and tomorrow we don't have to worry about it. We are eager to see Alicia and 4 of our grandchildren tomorrow (husband Arie will be at work, of course) somewhere along the route, and Diane will be leaving for her home for a few days. That's it for now. I'm on niece Suzanne's laptop

and hopefully there will be internet somewhere tomorrow. Talk to you all then....

Today's stats:

Distance: 90.55 kms
Average speed: 24.7 kph
Maximum speed: 35.6 kph
Time in saddle: 3.39.01
# of flat tires on tour: 9