The last few miles to the beach felt like a blur. Saturday, we did our last century (105 miles), leaving 9.1 miles left to Ocean City on Sunday. Hyped on adrenaline, we started pedaling the final, sandy stretch. Coming into Ocean City, we were greeted by a cheering group of family and friends. Now, it started to sink in a little. All the long days, sunburns, and sore bottoms were put into perspective. We crossed the boardwalk and pushed our bikes through the thick sand. Perhaps then it slowly began to hit us that we had crossed the continent. I couldn't help but think of the last time my brakes were filled with sand and saltwater: Seaside, Oregon, a small town on the Pacific Coast. The boardwalk there consisted of runners and the occasional cyclist or dog-walker. There were a few witnesses along the beach as we dipped our back tires in the ocean. It feels so long ago, but also so close. Amidst the tides and food stands and souvenirs shops of Ocean City and the crowded chaotic beach, calm Seaside, OR felt like a world away.
Yet there have been so many experiences in between to connect the two. From sleeping in ditches to staying in hospitable homes, from eating rice and mayonnaise to sharing a lovely dinner in Lewisburg with Carole and Bill. We have gone from the desolate plains of Wyoming and South Dakota, to the busy streets of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Looking back, it's been incredible to see how God has woven these seemingly disparate moments together into a beautiful patchwork of a journey. And there's also the beginning. As things come to an end, I often find myself thinking of how it all started. The Pacific Ocean rests in my mind, and I am excited for the next adventure. I think we all are. While it may not be coast-to-coast next summer (maybe north to south!), I think we all have a few bike rides left in us. But it's the everday adventures that also matter. The pieces of the quilt when we said "yes" to God, despite not knowing. It has beeen these daily Moments that make up the whole.
Here are a few concluding thoughts from each of us:
My biggest take-away was the immense and sudden change in enviormemt and beauty in the country. From the luscoius forest of Oregon to the desolate Badlands. Also the hospitality that we received always when we needed it most! - Tim
My biggest take-away was that God will provide when you least expect it. He makes a way when you need it. Also, that even though we were the desperate ones, we touched other people's lives just by doing something extraordinary. Lastly, it was interesting to see how God was working in other people's lives throughout the trip. - Cha
My biggest take-away is that there is still hope. We are surrounded by messages of fear and hatred, yet it was the everyday connections that brought us together. It was the willingness to greet others regardless of differences. In doing so, we realized that help comes from unexpected places. There are a lot of good people out there, you just have to be willing to see them as such. (Also, I was blown away by all the trash on the side of the road!) - Judith
I enjoyed seeing the whole scope of this trip take shape. From an offhand remark last summer, to a delicate idea... eventually to cold-calling churches last winter for hosting and researching bike touring equipment and planning a route. Finally this summer we got to do it, and we did it! - Joanna
We sign off now with a warm thank you to all who have followed, supported, hosted, feed, prayed, for, rescued (and the list goes on) us. We couldn't have done this trip without you. Thank you also to Houghton College and Bike and Sol, our sponsors.
Yet there have been so many experiences in between to connect the two. From sleeping in ditches to staying in hospitable homes, from eating rice and mayonnaise to sharing a lovely dinner in Lewisburg with Carole and Bill. We have gone from the desolate plains of Wyoming and South Dakota, to the busy streets of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Looking back, it's been incredible to see how God has woven these seemingly disparate moments together into a beautiful patchwork of a journey. And there's also the beginning. As things come to an end, I often find myself thinking of how it all started. The Pacific Ocean rests in my mind, and I am excited for the next adventure. I think we all are. While it may not be coast-to-coast next summer (maybe north to south!), I think we all have a few bike rides left in us. But it's the everday adventures that also matter. The pieces of the quilt when we said "yes" to God, despite not knowing. It has beeen these daily Moments that make up the whole.
Here are a few concluding thoughts from each of us:
My biggest take-away was the immense and sudden change in enviormemt and beauty in the country. From the luscoius forest of Oregon to the desolate Badlands. Also the hospitality that we received always when we needed it most! - Tim
My biggest take-away was that God will provide when you least expect it. He makes a way when you need it. Also, that even though we were the desperate ones, we touched other people's lives just by doing something extraordinary. Lastly, it was interesting to see how God was working in other people's lives throughout the trip. - Cha
My biggest take-away is that there is still hope. We are surrounded by messages of fear and hatred, yet it was the everyday connections that brought us together. It was the willingness to greet others regardless of differences. In doing so, we realized that help comes from unexpected places. There are a lot of good people out there, you just have to be willing to see them as such. (Also, I was blown away by all the trash on the side of the road!) - Judith
I enjoyed seeing the whole scope of this trip take shape. From an offhand remark last summer, to a delicate idea... eventually to cold-calling churches last winter for hosting and researching bike touring equipment and planning a route. Finally this summer we got to do it, and we did it! - Joanna
We sign off now with a warm thank you to all who have followed, supported, hosted, feed, prayed, for, rescued (and the list goes on) us. We couldn't have done this trip without you. Thank you also to Houghton College and Bike and Sol, our sponsors.
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