THE RIDE GETS UNDERWAY

Dear Folks:
First of all, please feel free not to read these disjointed jottings if you are pushed for time - I'm keeping them as a kind of diary also, and those can be pretty dry. And forgive the shortness - am pecking it out with my thumbs.

Anyway, all the prep was done, all the anticipated challenges met and allowed for, and this morning at 8.00am, after the obligatory photo of us dipping our rear wheels in the Pacific out at the edge of Fidalgio Island, and the pastor of the wee church we stayed in praying for us, the 13 of us headed off on what for 11 of them should be a 4300 mile trip to Maine.

Weather was very cold and blowy and looked like rain, but fortunately the wind was usually either to the side or behind us. We arranged to meet Emma, Becky & Bill, the crew of the SAG wagon, at 11.30am, but they got lost! There had been much talk of that vehicle going ahead of us to mark the route, but the thought now was that we riders should mark it for them!

We didn't start climbing until late afternoon, but although we rode over 600 metres of height, the downhills meant we are only at 85 metres tonight, and tomorrow we have to cross a pass of nearly 2000 - ouch!

However, all well. I acted as "sweeper" today, at the tail to make sure everyone was accounted for, and was riding with Arek, the Lebanese guy. We missed a turn near the end and rode about 15 miles away from our destination. Began to be suspicious when we noticed that although we were supposed to be heading east, the sun was setting right ahead of us!

Eventually we flagged down a car, which contained two colourfully-tattooed young ladies, and they said we needed to turn around and ride back down the way we had just hauled ourselves up. So we did, and had only gone about 3 miles when the SAG wagon found us. We wanted to avoid the ignominy of being picked up on our forst day, but they insisted (this is Emma and Becky) as the route had officially closed 15 mins before and our hosts were waiting. We had done 84 miles from the start, and another 4 to get to the start, through some amazing coastal and then mountain scenery. Tomorrow promises to beat it hands-down however.

Spent the night in a village called Marblemount, which has 200-some people. We are with the wee AOG community church, which is extremely friendly. Six of us are staying in one house, where they had a barbie for the whole group. John & Mary Janda, Caleb and Angela, plus a couple of local girls who come from a family of ten all with names beginning with C. These were Cathaleen (on the left, with the extra A) and Cassandra. They gave us lots of food (we were ready to eat our own shoes!) and we gave them a presentationon YFC and on why the Ride. We also have some great brochures courtesy of Simon Marriott, and some baseball-type cards for each rider with our picture and details, which we are giving out to anyone who shows interest.
I had a great time with John J (left). He has lots of toys! He has a construction company, and does most of the design and work himself. So he has a small sawmill (we are in redwood forest here), all kinds of welding gear, an electric blacksmith's hammer, jointers, all kinds of saws, a Bobcat, bulldozer, hydro-electric dam and generator - you can imagine I could have spent days with him!

After the guys who were staying with other families left we sat around the fire until it got dark (and bitterly cold) sharing the craic, then off to bed completely whacked.

Now it's 5.00am, and time to get up. No network coverage here last night, but there is this morning for some reason, so I will send this now. Pray for us today - promises to be the worst of the whole Ride and it's only Day 2 - in the Cascades and two high passes.

Blessings and thanks if you got this far. If I have the energy tonight I may try to describe some of the riders.
In His grip and grace.

PREPARATION DAYS, 13-16 June 2008

Friday 13th:
Not an auspicious day for travelling perhaps?!
In the office early, then to the doc on the advice of Mais & Mags to get something for the dodgy tummy picked up last week in Cairo. Seen by Agnes McGowan.
Then out + scones to Peter & Karen's to get a Czech camp paper signed. They heading to the north coast + Ned & Mag Tate and their two MGs.
Then John Donaldson & John Dowds in to sign also, and Brian McKee.
At Denise's suggestion took Mais for lunch - Rossi's.
Then finished up in the office around 3, picked up a big bouquet I had ordered for Maisie, and home to pack.
Down to the City Airport for about 6.30pm with Mais & Sarah, who was not amused at all! We prayed together, which did not help her at all, outwardly anyway. Not the nicest part of my work.
Had 4 bags - 3 to check incl enormous bike hardcase. Total weight about 58kg not counting my carry-on! But because Gold Card, only had to pay an extra £15 for the bike.
Over to Heathrow and, after quite a wait, shuttle bus to the Heathrow Sheraton, which Ruth had found on a price comparison site for £51.99 incl breakfast. (Just the full English breakfast alone is £16.95.)
Porter was a nice Omani guy doing his last shift before going back home. He was pleased that I had visited Muscat.
Into Room 3119 at 11.00pm. Long, tiring day, but the Bike Ride as an event has finally got underway for me. Wonderful - and the tablets seem to be working!