Launch Liberia Bike Tour: Eastern Ride

Follow Up

2008-05-30T20:02:07Z

Hi everyone,

Since I snagged Rick's log in info while on the ride I decided to hack in and hijack Rick's blog. Rick had us a little low on our mileage. We had 30 more hard earned miles than his stated 256. Our total for the ride was 287. Most of us did a few laps and got at least 290 while a couple did 300. That's a lot of laps around a parking lot.

Either way the ride was really enjoyable for me. I'm very glad that I participated. All of the guys were nice to get to know. Thanks to Rick and John for being so very helpful and for keeping us on track and out of trouble. I know that it would be stressful keeping 6 guys happy and planning directions with that many turns every day. The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the van for lunch were great at well.

Going to work today was a bummer. I'd much rather have been with our group. Thanks to the riders (Rick, Steve, Russ, Nate, Trent) and for Tim Christman for riding Monday. It was fun cruising along the road with all of you. Special thanks to Russ for leading so much of the time, setting the pace and watching for the van.

In the next day or 2 I will have a few pages of photos available for viewing at my site.

You can check it out at Tim's Liberia Bike Ride Site

Till then here is the group at Messiah College. Minus Trent who was busy with conference duties.

Tim DeLay

The day after

2008-05-30T08:51:04Z

Pastor Rick here; we arrived safely at the conference at 1:15 P.M. with almost 2 hrs. to spare. The guys kept up a killer pace at 14 mile per hr and rode 52 miles. Some of the riders were not satisfied with 256 miles so they rode around the campus to get 300.

For the most part the ride was uneventful, but there were some highlights. We got to ride over the Susquehanna River for the second time in 6 days and after that began on of three long climbs. The highlight of the ride for me was as we dropped down off of the 3 big hill of the day we arrived in a beautifully shaded valley for about 2 miles. Each climb was rewarded with a wonderful, long, down hill, and the last 5 miles of the ride were down hill into Messiah.

The rides have added up but each rider finished strong and I yelled out my van on the last small hill, “you can see the top”. We hope this gift of time and energy is pleasing to God. Thanks for the support!

The East Team.

Pictures

2008-05-29T06:36:53Z

Wednesday

2008-05-28T15:59:18Z

    A beautiful day for a bike ride! Only four riders today. Trent did his duty and headed off to Conference and Rick got stuck at work. The temperature was about 30 degrees cooler than Tuesday, and the hills were rolling and not as steep or long. That was nice. The wind was stiff, and the average speed for the ride ended up to be 14.2 mph for a total of 56 miles. That was fine with me.
    The scenery was beautiful, and we passed some Amish folk on scooters, bikes and buggies. We also saw a mule team and lots of farms and fields. Nobody fell over and nobody crashed. The only bike event was a flat tire, which in my opinion (Steve) provided a perfect excuse for a nice rest break. From that event is was less than 5 miles to the Willow Street church and I don't know about the other guys but I was really glad to see it. There is some excellent soft grass in front of the church which we enjoyed thoroughly before we showered.
    We are now happily ensconced in a nice large room with a very friendly carpet. Rick has studied the maps for tomorrow and has found some 400 ft climb at a +30% grade. Fortunately I have a reserved seat next to John in the van...

    This is Nate speaking (The youngest member). Today during our 56 mile journey we rode past/close to 7 EC churches. I will say that this is the first day that all this riding caught up to me and i was lagging behind these old men for a couple miles.

Tuesday

2008-05-27T15:30:27Z

Today we rode from Allentown to Sinking Spring for a 58 mile trip. We departed earlier than scheduled in an attempt to avoid the rain. PTL, no rain or mishaps today. Well, one short miscue in directions. This segment had the most hills to date and even a few more than were anticipated. What a great team to ride with and hear the encouragement along the way and especially on those climbs. A lot of drinking today, water that is, with the high humidity and longer distant between stops. Tomorrow we're on our way to Willow Street. We are now at Community EC in Sinking Spring awaiting a wondrerful home made meal.

Also wishing Trent Stehr a fond farewell as he heads off to conference. He battled many hills today and did a great job.

Pictures

2008-05-27T08:36:00Z

Monday

2008-05-26T16:51:50Z

Steve (one of the 60+ members) reporting on another perfect riding day. The roads were smooth and the wind was behind us. Our average for the day was all the way up to 13.5 mph. This was the shortest of our rides, only 33.333 miles. No crashes, and only one old guy fell over -no bruises. (The name has been withheld for purposes of confidentiality.)

Today we added a rider, so there were 7 of us peddling. Pastor Tim Christman joined the team for the day. The traffic was minimal, and the car drivers seemed relaxed and patient (although Rick was lectured by a cranky old man for parking in the wrong place). We did encounter a few huge dogs. They had those really deep barks, but they were too lazy to give chase. Maybe they just knew we would lose them in the dust -I doubt that they could do 13.5 mph).

Our august leaders, Rick and John didn't get us lost even once. They did, however, attempt to get a photo shoot opportunity when they requested us to line up 7 abreast across the road when a few motorists arrived. Don't think you'll see those pics.

We ended our ride at Waldheim camp meeting. Amazing and beautiful tabernacle. From there we loaded the bikes and traveled back to Pastor Rick's pad for a cookout. (Wonder if Ralph will treat his team to chicken and burgers...) Golly, all the calories we burned on the trip were back in place by 4 pm. Then we studied maps for about six hours. I think we'll find Sinking Spring tomorrow. Maybe. I hope.

Lost in the woods

2008-05-26T16:54:05Z

Pastor Rick here, and what a great day to ride, it was 71 sunny and a light breeze. Thanks to the people in DE for giving us a great night sleep and a great start to the day. Because of the help of Pastor Les we were on the bikes by 9:30 A.M. and began a killer pace cranking out miles along 100 in DE and PA. 3 states in three days Wow!

The highlight of the morning was the two tunnels that we got to ride through off of Valley Road in Chester County. So we couldn’t see where we were going. We at least came out the other side. That was more than we could say for the trail in Downingtown that had 3 different ways to go. We thought there was only 1 way out but once we drop the riders off we found out there were three ways out. And the one place we were waiting was not the 2 ways the team came out.

That was just the start of our mapping fun. Once we found each other and had lunch, and began the ride again the map lied to us again when the road we were on did not cross the Turn Pike like we thought, so we loaded up the team in the van drove 5 mile around and continued on our ride.

After riding most of the day on the flats the hills began. One thing that my team never wants to hear from me again is “I think that is the last big hill of the day.” Bleim rd. has one more hill, sorry guys.

My favorite moment of the day came on one of the early hills. I was out in front, and as I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the team come up over the hill 4 bikes in a straight line and 2 bikes back (my thought) “It’s a privilege lead these guys.”

By the way, one thing we won’t talk about is the 3 or 4 riders who in the last two days who fell over standing still.

Kudos to Nate Jones who rode the entire trip with a hurt hip, and still beat most of the team up many of the hills (It’s good to be young).

51.7 miles later a pace of 12.8 and some tired riders. Thanks for supporting us.

Amazed at these Guys

2008-05-23T21:31:20Z

This is Pastor Rick

It really amazes me how these guys have really put in the time for this ride. I am so proud of all of them, as we sat at dinner tonight which was amazing, I realized how really special each of the riders are. So, if they are from your church and you see them on Sunday thank them for the time and energy they are putting into this ride that effects people around the world.

Fri

2008-05-24T07:09:52Z

Tim again. It's 4:00 and we are at the Peoples' residence (That's really their names Peoples') in Newark DE. They have been nice enough to house us tonight.

We rode 42.6 miles at a casual pace of 12.8. We only got lost a little. When we came upon a bar, we saw Rick's van but he was no where in sight. He said he was asking for directions???? God kept us on track and safe. Nathan did however take a tumble around a turn on Black Snack Road, cool road. Going a bit too fast. He bent his rear wheel slightly and scraped up his ankle. Just before this I broke a spoke which put a significant wobble in my rear wheel. Luckilly this was near the end of the ride. Pastor Les Cool met us with us and led us to Bike Line bike shop (they were great). We were quite a site in there with all of us wearing our jerseys. They straightened out Nathan's wheel for free. They were going to replace a spoke on my wheel for free but pointed out that I was almost certain to break more spokes before the end of the ride. The wheel was shot. another spoke broke while truing the wheel. Therefore I bit on a good deal on a slightly used rear wheel. Honey.... I'll discuss the price with you later.

Thursday

2008-05-22T20:20:37Z

Hi all,

This is Tim reporting on our day of traveling. We arrived safely in Rosedale MD, ate a nice dinner at the Olive Garden, found our first nights quarters, and spent time connecting and in prayer.

There are 6 of us riding (Rick, Tim, Steve, Nate, Rusty and Trent) and 2 driving vans (Rick Christman and John) protecting and guiding us along the way.

I myself am excited for the day tomorrow. I think that the others are also. It will be around 45 miles taking us to Newark DE. The weather should be nice and we may have a tail wind. Our fearless leader Rick has the route nicely planned out for us.

We thank you for your support and for our families willingness to do without us to afford us this opportunity.

Check back for more tomorrow.

Tim

Finding Time

2008-04-25T11:00:04Z

Finding time to ride is the most difficult thing about training, even riding 19 miles today seemed forced as I get ready for our 6^th Grade Retreat here at the church. I’m kind of jealous of the 3 or 4 guys who will be riding a Metric Century tomorrow, for those who don’t ride that’s around 62 miles (by the way guys, let us know how it goes). It’s not that I’m even ready to put in that many miles, but the idea to get out, and ride a whole day like that seems nice. Not trying to race, (O.K., for the speed I ride it’s more rushing) but to have the time to just ride. This will come, next Thursday and Friday, I will be riding to Allentown, and back that’s it, nothing else (nice). Thanks to Laruen Scholl for cheering me up the hill to get home, it nice to have the encouragement.

The Big Ring

2008-04-23T09:22:45Z

There is nothing better than that first ride you are able to crank it up to that big ring and fly down that straight away. That’s what happened yesterday. Around mile 4 riding into a slight wind, slowly shifting lower and lower up that small rise, keep going, lungs burning, what a rush. Then it catches up, still early in the season, I can’t figure out why my legs are getting so tired, I’m only at mile 8. Then it hits you – you’re still in that big ring, time to down shift and take it home. 12.6 miles getting stronger, a little faster, no granny gear today.

For those of you who don’t ride the, “big ring” is the hardest gear that you have, and your “granny” is the really easy gear you use on big hills.

Who turned up the Heat

2008-04-19T15:22:49Z

Did you ever wonder how a weather man keeps his job? When I went to bed last night the temp was to drop down to 50 degrees and be 55 by 8:00. When I woke up at 8:00, yeah I slept in, it was already 68 and sunny. What a great day to ride the first 28 miles of the season. With the temp rising rapidly I loaded the bike and headed down to my favorite spot to ride, the Oley Valley. I started the ride at 70 degrees no wind, and crawled off the bike at 85 degrees. Next time let’s not wear black.

Around mile 15, I realized the mud is beginning to clear. It may just be lack of oxygen, I was climbing a hill. I begin to remember this isn’t a race, this is a ride, so I slowed down, when I did, the valley came alive with sound. The sounds of birds, and tractors, but more than that, it reminded me that I have been so busy with the job of living that I haven’t taken time to enjoy the life God has surrounded me with.

So, I ride, and the mud slowly washes away. What a great day!

Mad man Owens

2008-04-19T14:42:51Z

Yesterday I had a chance to ride with mad man Owens. Many of you know him as Pastor Ralph Owens. I call him mad man because there are 3 types of people who like to ride bike. The first type is the friendly bike rider who for fun rides a trail for a mile or two. The second type is like me who is a little crazy, I like to ride 12 to 20 miles just for fun, enjoying the sights, and sounds of the ride. Then you have the mad men (or woman). They like to go as fast and as far as the can. Pastor Ralph is a mad man, and this is why he is leading the western ride in from Illinois, and I’m leading the ride for us mere humans in the east. But, God is using all of us for a great cause: http://www.eccenter.com/289030.ihtml. Help us reach our goal, even if you can’t ride. Tomorrow I go for the first 30 of the season.

Mud on the brain

2008-04-16T09:53:21Z

The mud in my head after losing my mother is not clearing up as quickly as I feel it should. Yet, my friends, thanks Al, keep reminding me this is a journey not a sprint. Just, like a bike ride it is a journey. So, as I train I use the time alone to shake loose the mud, rejoice in the memories Mom gave me, and press on to live my life to God’s fullest.

After a long day at the church, always longer than expected, I got back on the bike for 12.5 more miles. After supper, racing the sun, I realize one important fact - I need a new seat. Let’s just say I know, but I love being on my bike, no phone, no pressure, just the road, my legs, and my mind telling me we waited too long to get started. I will be ready, not fast but ready. This is too important to miss! Keep pushing, Keep riding, and keep praying. God will provide.

Time to start

2008-04-16T09:43:39Z

Three weeks ago my good friend, our Senior Pastor, moved to his new job. Two weeks ago I lost my mother to her long battle with her heart. As I began my training for the rides, it almost became a time to grieve, to remember, and a time to start again. It’s been 3 good years since my Cannondale bike and been ridden this hard. Both my bottom and my legs can tell you that much. Yet, it’s time to begin 18.5 miles down into the Oley valley. A little rain but with 70 degrees in April you can’t beat it.

The crank spinning round and round, almost a rhythm, it feels so good, the lungs burning, and the country side whizzing by (O.K. I’m not that fast… passing by), I wish I could ride longer; keep going, not stop. The body tells me otherwise; it’s time to go home. Ice on the knees, and a cold glass of water, what a great day, and what a great start… what a great cause.