Day six Breslau to Ancaster

This was the easiest day by far!  I was so excited to see Rob and friends from Hamilton on the road into Cambridge; they left Ed Witvoet's place at 6 am to bike out to Breslau and to ride us back in.  Margot was with them, and she was so strong!  She will take my place on the Diva roster!

Early in the morning, I was pleased to see the Cambridge cycling group in the parking lot, along with Richard and Corry Kloet, who rode for the day as well.

Riding along the quiet country roads, I saw a machine I had never seen before.  I was tempted to ride underneath those huge wheels, but it seemed a tad too dangerous.

As we rode into Breslau yesterday, our final family of encouragers were a couple of kilometers from the school. I rode in with young Ian, 9 years old, and clocked him at 30 km/hr.  He might be a future Sea to Sea rider!

We rode the second half of the day with Michael and Mary and Herman from Chicago area, and really enjoyed the rolling hills and the meandering conversation.  After one final (and lengthy) stop at the Tim Horten's in Ancaster, we finally rolled into Redeemer.
I made it home to hug my kids, shower, and snooze, and then we all went back to Ancaster to prepare dinner with the Hamilton Cycling Volunteers (in Red shirts) organized by Adrian Kloet.

 Eritia Smit made three huge welcome cakes for dessert! Wow and thanks.

 A final cyclist/volunteer gathering at Uncle Adrian's house.

 This is Bettie VanGils Kloet, signing off of the Sea to Sea.  What a wonderful experience it has been.  I've been challenged to think about the causes and realities of poverty, and I've been challenged to take action.  I've become angry about the injustice that causes poverty, and about the way the poor are often treated.  I hope that through this experience, I will be more aware and more willing to step up and make a difference for one family at a time.  Thanks again for your support and love as you made it possible for me to take this week away from my regular life.  Blessings and Thanks!

Day five London to Breslau

Today I felt the best yet!  My body is getting into the groove. I got to ride about 50 km with my cousin Bill Buys (see below) and his buddies, and I had a blast with them.  These 50 something guys rock!

 There's not much dining fare available between London and Breslau, so when we saw the bikes parked in front of the Shakers Family Restaurant in Plattsville, we hauled on in for a second breakfast. So did 40 to 50 other cyclists!  You can imagine how busy the staff were trying to feed us all.  We helped out by handing out coffee!

These sisters managed to serve us all with grace and style.

Another gorgeous day with fresh temperatures and warm sunshine.  I enjoyed a nap in the shade, a cool (!!) shower, and another delicious dinnner.  wow, the food, everyday, is unbelievably good. 

Day four Sarnia to London

Another beautiful day after a good night's sleep  We were encouraged by Mrs. Baker and her friend who sat out on the roadside with cookies and signs!

 

Tim Horton shops everywhere, and we stopped at a few.  Every time we stopped at a coffee shop, we'd see tables of Sea to Sea riders. 

At the London Town Sign, there was Gail to meet us all! She tied ribbons on our bikes and sent us on our way.

Riding through Story Book Gardens was stunning, as was this tunnel.

 

Last night I experienced the grace and hospitality of our group and of the Veenkamp family.  After a scary episode with A-fib (when your heart beats too fast), I was very tired, but very thankful for the wonderful tour nurse Bev and my Diva nurses Jessica and Janet.  Then we heard the forcast, which predicted thunderstorms and hail. The Sarnia church had fed us a delicious dinner, and Albert and Wilma Veenkamp were there.  When they heard the forcast, they offered to help me take down my tent, drive me to their house to sleep in a bed, and then drive me back in the morning.  What a gift of hospitality.  I slept wonderfully and felt healthy and well in the morning.

Day three Imlay City to Sarnia

At Imlay City we slept at the local High School. This blob of stuff is my tent home waiting to be set up.  It took a while to get it all organized, in between several naps.

PS. Harry; I just read my last entry and I caught my error; we did NOT bike 1000km in one day, rather it should read 100.  Oops, must have been tired.

 After a ferocious thunderstorm in the morning, the skies cleared on time for the ferry crossing over the St. Clair River. They allowed 35 riders per crossing.  The welcome on the Canadian Side was overwhelming!

 Our evening meetings or "Peleton", provided a time to share donation stories, God Stories, or times we saw God at work during the day, and a time to learn about the next day's route.

An important feature at our break stops was the very portable porta-potty.

Today we experienced God's protection during the thunderstorm.  Just as the storm broke, we spotted an open garage, and moved our bikes inside.  The homeowner graciously invited us inside where we met his mother, who had been sitting by her front window counting bikes all morning.  They were pleased to meet some of the riders, and we were delighted to be dry and safe.  They even made a donation!

Day one and two "Diva Believa's"

 Day one was gorgeous, with beautiful weather, and 100 km of riding into Sleepy Hollow Campground.  The food is delicious; the kitchen trailer volunteers are superb, and they delight us with their creations.  Monday evening's meal included pulled-pork on a bun, corn on the cob, salad, and apple crisp and ice cream for dessert.

 Jasper the unicyclist amazes us all with his balance!  Last week there was a rollerblader on tour!

 My Diva girls, Jessica VandeHoef, Anne Haas and Janet Ryzeboem.  We laughed, talked and prayed our way through the day!

 Wringing out the laundry in camp with a hand turned wringer.

 Open Roads...

 Day 2, coffee with the locals in Schwarz Creek.  They were so interested in what we were doing and very supportive.

 Day 2, after 122 km, we were happy to see the sign for Imlay City, our stop for tonight.  Surprise, I had visitors; Vince and Jo VanDijk from our home church swung by on their way home from visiting family.  It was wonderful to see them and I felt so encouraged.

Sea to Sea feels like adult camp on wheels.  We shower together, ride together, eat together, even sleep (almost) together.

this is the field where my tent soon was stationed.

Tomorrow we cross the  border into Sarnia.  Thanks for continuing to pray.

Settling in

 We've arrrived at Calvin College in Grand Rapids.  The dorm rooms are great, and my roommate is Rachel, whom I haven't seen in person for years, so we are having a great time getting reacquainted.

 The gear truck will hold all our bags on the journey,

 Yup, brownies!  Richard Wikkerink is going to have to start baking now for next Sunday if we hope to impress the cyclists as much as Calvin CRC did today.

 Lunch was yummy; I better start cycling because right now we are doing a lot of eating.

 This is how we travel to lunch when the van is full.

The kitchen truck is fully loaded and ready for a new week.


As you can see, we are settling in well; today we have our new joiner orientation, followed by a big celebration service on campus here at Calvin. This morning Jessica and \I enjoyed a short bike ride to get our legs moving.  We'll be on the road at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. Hugs to all. Bettie

Ready to go

I’m off to Grand Rapids in the morning, and my body and mind feel ready.  We made it back early from camping, and I’m about halfway finished transferring camping/biking gear over to my Sea to Sea pile.

I’m so thankful for you and your support; it is so encouraging and motivating to have your support!

I’m so thankful for your prayers!  If you are a praying person, please pray each day this week for safety, for good weather, for positive attitudes and for a sense of community among the riders I join.

I’m so thankful for my family.  They have been so supportive, and Rob has been a phenomenal coach and bike mechanic (he’s working on my bike right now!).

I’m also thankful for all the wealth we live with, often without recognizing it as wealth.  When I think of all those who live in poverty, I’m shamed by my inattentiveness to our luxuries, and I’m proud to be part of an organized ride that this trying to change the cycles of poverty for many.

Training update: I've hit 2,000 km, with the last hundred at Grundy Lake (good ole' Highway 69!).

Fundraising update: Your generosity has brought me to close to $4,500.  Thanks again,

I’ll try to update my blog on the ride when I can get to public libraries. 

Bettie

Almost at 2,000 KM and $4,500

I'm closing in on 2,000 km this week, and my fundraising has almost reached $4,500.  My heart is filled with thankfulness for a healthy body, excellent training partners (let's hear it for the Velodonnas), and generous supporters.  I'm actually finalizing packing lists and putting fresh laundry aside for August 3rd departure. I'll have a rest week at Grundy Lake with the family next week; we'll ride shorter distances in the mornings (to the coffee shop), and lounge around.  My body is ready for the rest, and the one week break from teaching fitness classes will allow my muscles to fully recharge

Seventeen hundred and counting

1700 training kilometers this season and my legs are finally feeling stronger!  Last Saturday we climbed the "three sisters" on Safari road and I survived.  Maybe even thrived!  No knee pain (thanks to Elaine at Pierik Cycle for the fit adjustment!) Who knows, the next weeks might include Sydenham AND Wiers....

A short ride with a wipe-out

Last Sunday I enjoyed a lovely four second ride with my husband and my son.  Rob was ahead, and so Matthew stood up and hammered to catch him, when his foot slipped off the pedal, hit the pavement and became a solid object for the pedal to dig into.  The physics of this were amazing; that stopped pedal sent the bike (and son) flying over the handle bars, with an impressive landing to follow.  Thankfully he broke no bones, and his surface wounds are all nicely healing. A sober reminder that small events can trigger big crashes!

Warm rain and wet roads

This morning I enjoyed a shorter ride with my friend Sharon.  We were the only two riders in our group who showed up; the other four must have checked the forecast.  We shortened the ride when the rain started to fall in earnest. I discovered that riding in the rain can be pleasant when the temperature and the rain are both warm and gentle; it's more like riding through soup.  The biggest downside is the soggy diaper feeling at coffee time after the ride.  I'm starting to think about my riding week a lot more now; making lists, reading blogs of riders, learning from their struggles...

Spinal discs are good

Thanks for the prayers for healing!  I've enjoyed some rest, with less fitness teaching days on summer schedule, and even some rain days off the bike, and I'm happy to report that after yesterday's 60 km ride (and 130 total over three consecutive days), my back is happy.  The four hours of gardening yesterday were a little harder on the back, but still fine today.  Feeling thankful....

Riding with re-habbing husband

I picked up Rob on Saturday from his hernia surgery experience, which happened Thursday.  I rode with him yesterday (Sunday) and today, and discovered that we now ride at the same pace.  At least for a day or two.

Just passed 1,000 km

This week I've passed the 1,000 km milestone in my training.  I've put some bigger rides back to back and feel good.  My next goal is to string three days of long rides together, just to get used to that feeling.  I'm nursing some irritated disc fibre in my lower back, and need to be a bit careful, so please pray for fast healing, and for protection from the possibility of disc herniation.  This morning I enjoyed a glorious (and fast) pre-church ride with my supportive (and fast!!) husband, Rob.  I learn so much about road riding from him; what a gift.

solo cycling as meditation

This week I rode an hour alone, which I rarely do.  I decided that I will need to do this more as I lengthen out group rides to meet my increased distance goals for July.  It's really quiet, or, at least it was until I realized I haven't been spending as much time as I'd like talking to God lately.  With new resolve to spend my solo riding time in conversation with God, I found we had lots to talk about.  So, riding alone has new meaning.

50 km morning

 

This morning I had a cancellation, so after teaching my early spin class, I had a wide open morning. What to do...bake, clean house, work?  NO, I rode with my good friend Sharon and had a lovely morning breathing fresh country air, hooting at the wild deer, revelling in the beauty of rolling hills, sunshine and wind.  Life is good.  Now though, the house still needs to be cleaned.

Overwhelmed by donors!
When I committed to ride one week, I wondered how I would be able to raise the $2,500 required to participate.  Well, in less than a month, thanks to you, my generous supporters, I passed that goal.  I thought "maybe I'l be crazy and increase that goal", and so I set my sights higher, to $3.000.  God must have a plan to overwhelm me with people's caring hearts, because I've gone through that process two more times, moving my goal to $3,500, and now to $4.000.  Thank you for caring about our brothers and sisters who live in poverty, and thank you for teaching me about true generosity.

Training and raining....
This morning I had the pleasure of doing hill repeats in the rain; when it started to rain harder we headed for home, and by the time we got to the coffee shop, it was a deluge.  My feet were swimming in my shoes, and it was a good reminder to keep a rain jacket tucked in a back pocket on the longer rides (I didn't pack mine) .  My body temperature plummetted in minutes.  Brrr!

Passed 750 km!
This week I passed the 750 km mark in outdoor training.  Each week feels better.  Our 40 km ride on Saturday in the heat was a joy; how nice to leave behind the leggings.

Why weight?
One of my biggest struggles in cycling is pushing my weight up the hills. Will you pray with me for commitment and strength to make the sacrifices necessary to get my weight to a healthier level, so that I can "live long and prosper", and get up the hills a little easier?

Thankful for Chiropractor
This week I learned how your body can respond to one minor change.  As I was dealing with hip pain, a screaming piriformis and intense knee pain on the uphills, I wondered if this body could really do the distance.  Then I saw my chiropractor, who identified a rather strange body change; I had rotated my zyphoid process.  How??? No clue.  All I know is now it's back to normal and I have no pain and I can climb and breathe, and sing.... Thank you Lord for my chiropractor.  I wonder if she'll fit into my duffel bag?

50 km before breakfast
Sometimes it is hard to fit in training rides.  This morning I met three other women early and we pedalled hard for 50 km.  We saw lovely scenery, chatted during the ride, and made it home early enough to eat breakfast (well, for me, second breakfast).  Of course, the nap after lunch became a necessity after getting up at 5:30, but hey, it was great to get some distance in early in the day!

Inspired by older riders...
Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking about the Sea to Sea at Westdale Reformed Church in Hamilton.  While there, I met up with two older adults who blew me away.  Mr. Slagter still rides 10,000 km per year, and he is a senior citizen.  He rides for charity (Bike for Bibles).  Mrs. VanHoeve, who I think is in her 80's, has just recently hung up her bike due to Parkinsons.  Up until very recently we used to see her bombing down Snake Road as we churned our way up. She'd always have a cheery wave, and if I'd see her at a church bazaar during the year, no matter how foul the weather, her first question would always be "So did you ride this morning? I did." I will be riding for them and all the other older adults who inspire me.

Some rides are difficult...
Saturday's training ride was HARD!  We rode 40 km with lots of hills, and I was limited by pain in my knee and by weakness in my left piriformis. Partway through the ride I heard this voice in my head saying "you should turn back, you can't keep up with this group...you shouldn't be here".  It took some prayer to get my head back on straight, and I stuck it out, grinding up one last steep ascent (with a welcome "pushie" from my husband...).  Once at the top, I felt great and hung onto the wheel of the person in front of me, even screaming ahead on a long descent.  I can imagine lots of moments like this on the tour, when the task seems impossible, and we hear this voice of discouragement: this is when we'll pray for inspiration, for "pushies" and for belief in what we are doing, and we will find whatever it takes to keep pedalling.

Canadian Training

Canadian training
After a week of lovely weather, my training ride this morning was less lovely.  Pelting snow bits stung my face, gusting winds buffeted my bike in all directions, and once we reached the top of the escarpment, we were met with a winter wonderland.  Freezing water from the road sprayed up my back as I ate the "rooster tail" from the rider I was following.  Ah, the joys of riding in Canada.  The coffee tasted extra good today.

Training has begun

This Saturday was my third "family ride" of the season.  Let me tell you about this misnomer. It all started out as Rob's vision for a way to introduce less experienced riders to group riding.  The group has morphed into a lovely Saturday ride which offers the elite men a "recovery ride" and women like me a chance to go all out in an effort to stick with these "recovering" boys. Nothing family about it. This week we rode 35 km, averaging close to 27 km/hr, which for the guys who had just raced the Good Friday Race, offered a nice recovery.  Me?  I accepted not a few "pushies" (assists up hills), and hid in the slip stream the entire ride, gasping at times as the pace hit 39!  I'm so glad August is a solid four months away!  Road training km to date: 90. Spinning hours: 3 hours a week all winter.  As I think about 416 miles in one week, I'm a little worried.

Decision Time

Well, at some point a decision needs to be made, and this is the time.  With my family's support, I have decided to sign up for one week of the 2013 Sea to Sea.  While I will only be riding for one week, from Grand Rapids Michigan to Ancaster Ontario, I will be taking part in a wild and crazy adventure that will raise money for an excellent cause.  I hope to learn more about poverty and to become more passionate about the need to alleviate the suffering caused by poverty.  Thanks for joining me on this journey.