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