Join me as I bike Sea to Sea

Today I took a day off from riding. The last two days were very hard, as my knees have been getting weaker and weaker. Both days, I barely made it, but I made a point to to make it all the way.

This was a hard decision. I wanted to bike every mile, but if my knees continued as they were it would have gotten worse and worse.

So, instead I rode in a SAG (support and gear) wagon with Betsy where we transported bikers that were having difficulty, brought tires or tubes to people who needed it, and provided water along the climb to the mountain pass. It felt good to relax and help the other bikers. I felt like I was cheating as we passed the cyclists along the road.

Also, over the course of the tour I have felt like I am being pampered and in the spotlight. Everyone is excited for us and encouraging. During the celebration services, the tour and us is one of the focuses. My family and friends are interested and encouraging. And the SAG wagon drivers, kitchen crew, and other support staff are giving us their time for us. I'm not used to being pampered and the focused like this, so helping in the SAG wagon helping the other cyclists was more comfortable for me.

We also crossed the continental divide today.

On the way down from the pass we saw some beautiful landscapes.

And we trespassed and looked at this old town. It was fun looking at the buildings and trying to figure out the stories that the buildings contained.

There are mid-week services. At the end of the service today, Josh Krabbe read this benediction written by Saint Francis (?) hundreds of years ago. This tour is working to raise money and increase involvement, but also awareness of poverty. I appreciate how this takes challenges our perspective to stay and focused on raising our's and other's awareness of poverty.

May God bless us with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that we may live from deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God's creations
So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with just enough foolishness
To believe that we can make a difference in the world,
So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor.
Amen.

Remember you can still participate by making a donation here.

Also check out more of my photos here.