brakes...who needs them....

June 18

Started in Plains Montana this morning and made it all the way to Missoula.

There are several people who need to learn road etiquette.

The brakes on the recumbent did not seem to be working too well as I was zooming down the six percent grade into Missoula.

Trying to find a good bike shop to get them figured out.

The hill coming up from where 200 and 93 meet is unending.

Mile after mile of just climbing.

Not even that is too steep in any one place...

Just constant uphill.

A very hard thirtyfive miles in the afternoon.

Will not do again any time soon.

One point I do want to make is that Hwy. 200 across Montana is oh so pleasant to the eyes. The scenery is worth a stop on every bend for a photo opportunity.

You have to take your share of the lane, no matter how upset any of the drivers become.

There is plenty of room for both.

Just make sure and keep an eye on your mirror for traffic behind and always give a friendly wave and smile.

And sometimes a blast from the airzound horn works well also.

Praying I will get on 93 south toward Darby.

Couple few days riding to get there but well worth it.

I will conquer.

The Lord is constantly giving me that extra push in the Spirit.

And all the prayers for this trip, from all of you, are invaluable.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

unexpected joy....

June 17

Six days since I have journaled about this ride for the Lord!

Where does the time go?

Much of what I had to say was on Facebook. 

Having a grand time of fellowship with the men in Spokane.

Some really incredible things happened on the way to George and DeeDee's place up between Diamond Lake and Newport.

First of all was when I was creeping ever so slowly up a hill....

A road biker slowed down his pace and pedaled up the hill with me. He was pedaling from Spokane to Sandpoint, if I remember right.

He had recently done a mission trip to a country in South America. 

Don and I had a nice short visit and then he and his friend Josh, took off leaving me in their wake of dust from the road. 😀

They were averaging 19 to 20 miles an hour.

I was doing six!

The other truly incredible point of the day was the back tire of the recumbent.

I could feel a thump, da-thump, but the tire was not flat. 

It was not even a slow leak.

I stopped a number of times along the side of the road to check.

I did not want to take everything apart, so I kept on pedaling.

Made it to George's.

Was to tired to mess with it that night.

Had a really wonderful meal and a great sleep.

The next morning took everything apart and found the culprit to the problem.

The tire had blown. 

Literally!

But the tube never blew!

Was a pretty good slice in the tire itself. 

I know the Lord was in the whole situation.

Can I get an "amen?"

So all that occurred on the 14th.

The 15th was when I found the slit in the tire.

And began pedaling down the road to Clark Fork.

I met Linda, who was pedaling from Spokane to Sandpoint area.

In Sandpoint I pulled into Paul Bunyan Burger.

I am always hungry when I am riding.

Met a couple Mike and Beth Ann Williams who are believers in the Lord. 

They know people from MAF.

Invited me to stay with them on the return trip.

What a great couple!

When I arrived in Clark Fork, I had no idea where to stay for the night. 

Almost out of town, and a pickup with a family pulls up. 

They own Clark Fork Lodge.

Gave me a rate I could not refuse.

Another wonderful divine appointment.

Hot shower.

A scraping of the stubble.

And also...

I was just getting ready to leave the lodge in the morning.

Had given the keys to the owner, and was just making one more check of the bags and all on the bike, when...

A man comes by asking about the bike.

He is a doctor from Minnesota.

I told him some about our having lived in Papua New Guinea and his eyes lit up.

He knows the Fugelstads who were at Camp Kalina. 

The YWAM base up above Mt Hagen.

And he and his wife know Marti Ahlquist who used to teach at Ukarumpa and is now in Texas.

Trying to remember if she taught any of our children.

There is no way man could orchestrate these meetings.

These God appointments.

I am so encouraged by his leading.

It is hard to pedal every day.

Yet, I told the Lord I would.

And I will.

The 16th I rode from Clark Fork to a campground. 

Went thirty miles.

Did not actually feel too well all day long.

Eating throughout the day.

Snacking on fruit.

Making sure I get off the bike every ten to fifteen miles which forces me to drink and eat.

It is a good thing.

So when I stopped, for the night, I set up the tent, had some food, took a little walk and crashed.

It was around 7.30 when I got into my sleeping bag. 

I only remember turning once during the night. 

Guess I needed sleep. 😯

The 17th, today, was so much better.

Got twenty miles in e morning.

And another 25 in the afternoon.

Stopped in Plain Montana.

Would like to have gone further, but the next major town is sixty miles away.

That will be a ride for tomorrow.

As I pulled into where I am camping for the night, there was a young man, Eric, and we started up a conversation.

What the Lord does in these situations is absolutely mind blowing.

The talk very quickly turned to the Lord and our relationship with Him.

Went out for a burger with him. 

My treat.

This young man has a lot of life ahead of him.

Many question.

Few answers.

Lord let his mind, spirit and body be filled and molded for you!

And to top it all off...

Got invited to a fellowship potluck with some older folk.

Horseshoes.

Food.

Horseshoes.

Did I mention food?

And just a lovely time of sharing and being in the Word.

What will tomorrow bring?

Wait and see.

Come back to this same channel for more stories from the ride.

Continuing to joy on the journey,

D.

life...

life...

June 11

Awake at 4.30

Had my breakfast of champions.

Oatmeal with banana.

Left around six.

Filling and keeps me going for the first fifteen or so miles.

I found it slow going after that point.

Even after eating two sandwiches, drinking lots of water, having a banana and even some fig newtons. 

The sun the first day had drained me quite completely.

I basically bonked.

Had a hard time pedaling for any distance. 

Could not get anything going very well.

So very slow going.

I did make it Davenport. 

Was a beautiful ride.

Stopped in front of the local building supply store so could take a break.

There was an older distinguished looking gentleman and his wife who had arrived in their car at the same time.

Talking with him while his wife went inside.

Bill Lutz, graduated from Whitworth in 1957. 

Two years before I was born!

He is a retired pastor from the Presbyterian Church in town.

Knew Roger Mohrlang and Dale Bruner, who were two of my professors.

What a joy to meet this man!

Forgot to mention Harrington where I stopped at the fuel station outside of town.

The couple employees asked several questions about the trip. 

So, I got to give them "The Answer."

So when I left Davenport, I thought it is only thirteen more miles to Rearden. 

I can do that!

So I did.

Asked a gal watering plants outside a restaurant if there was any place to pitch a tent.

I think it was around four thirty or so.

Ended up going into the Highway Cafe/Restaurant.

So glad I did.

The waitress, Tina, had just begun working there.

Talk about a full meal.

The chicken salad was very tasty.

And the large portion of fries was over the top.

If you are ever through Rearden and want a good place to stop, chat, eat and enjoy, stop by this restaurant. 

You will not be disappointed.

Come to find out she does photography for the local HS students as well.

I looked at her page with her photos she has done. 

Quite a talent.

Check it out.

facebook.com/InfinityRosePhotography

So after fueling up on all the good food, I started the last leg of the day to Spokane.

Started at  just after six in the evening.

Took extra time to enjoy the food!

Made it to the house at close to ten.

No fun riding in Spokane at night time.

Potholes inside of potholes.

Oh, how I have not missed thee!

Am thankful to the Lord I made it all in one piece. 

A little addition here. 

Unfortunately, or fortunately, actually, the tire on the trailer went flat five miles from the house.

Seems to be an everyday occurrence.

Is The Lord trying to tell me something?

So actually went eighty miles.

I was tired, to say the least, when I got to the house. 

Oh, but the hot shower felt so good. 

And laying down helped as well! 

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

silly...pride...

silly...pride..

June 10

How can I explain all the ways the Lord intervened and showed himself today?

First off, the beautiful sunrise this morning to remind me of the Lord's awesomeness and his ability to paint the skies. 

Incredible!

Met the crew who stripe the lines on the road again. Did not get to talk with them like I did before when I was coming back from Wenatchee and had a rest at the top of the hill.

Or Tim, who went and got a tire pump for me since mine went kaput. And he told me to keep it. He, too, rides bike when he gets the chance.

He gave me his card so that if I am riding through the area again to call him if I have any bike trouble. Gave him mine as well.

Or the lady at the malt shop who asked questions about the recumbent and what I am doing.

Was able to share about the trip and give an answer to why.

And so, why?

Obedience to the Lord.

Plain and simple.

And also I have desired to do a long bike ride for many years.

Again, I am so excited to see what the Lord will do during this season of journeying.

It is amazing to walk in faith!

When I got into Odessa, everyone I met was glad that the bike was fixed and I was on it riding into town.

A number of people drove by when I was on the side of the road. 

Only four miles from where I had planned to stop for the night.

Maybe there is a recurring theme here.

I really thought I could get the pump to work.

Silly pride.

So I kept telling them all, I had it figured out.

Silly pride.

Was not to be.

Silly pride!

The older gentleman who was buying two shakes. one for him. One for his wife who had just had a doctor appointment. She is having side effects from a stroke several years ago.

His name is David as well. 

Told me where he lives and if I am riding through again to stop by.

Bringing extra water as I drank through the two large jugs.

Having a comfortable pad to sleep on.

Must admit I was flustered with the whole road side situation.

Think I may get an extra little pump. Have two in case one goes out again.

It is eight thirty at night and it is beginning to cool off.

That makes me happy.

The little things, right?!

To have time to arrange the bike, get water from the tap to clean the dirt and grime off my face, to  be able to relax and not have to hurry down the road.

I think I did fifty seven miles this day. Though not positive as the odometer went funny. 

Repositioned it so maybe it will work properly tomorrow.

Thank you Lord for allowing me to hear you this day.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

June 9, 2015

Tomorrow...

I begin riding to Spokane.

This last week I rode to Wenatchee.

Left on Wednesday and returned to the farm on Thursday.

58 miles on Wednesday.

52 miles on Thursday.

110 for the two days.

-------------------------------

There are several things for which I am thanking the Lord in advance.

1. Divine appointments.

2. Discernment in travels on the road.

3. For my ears to be opened to hear the Word of the Lord. Both from Him and others I will meet.

4. Knowledge to know when to quit each day.

5. To not attempt to make any crazy mileage records.

6. Ability to speak encouragement and truth.

I am very excited to begin this ride adventure for the Lord.

Not quite sure what He will reveal, do, show.

Thanks for following.

Continuing to joy in the journey,

D.

The ride...

Day 2

June 3

Yesterday was actualy the first day of the official ride.

As the weather was not too pleasant I decided to stay back. Kept a watch on what was happening through the weather radar.

Today, it is a beautiful morning.

It is hard to believe the day is finally here to start pedaling.

Since I got the recumbent out of the crate, I have put on 800 miles of preride riding.

Been an adventure so far.

And am sure it has really only begun.

Looking forward to all the many miles ahead.

Up passes.

Down passes.

Wind and rain.

Meeting people.

Sharing all the Lord is doing.

To live!

Keep getting reminded this ride is not about the miles.

Yes, I am desiring to get to NM and back.

But I have come to the realization, it is all about people and the Word of God.

As I have said for many years, there are only two things which will last for eternity.

The Word of God and relationships.

Neither can be bound by man when they are founded on Christ.

What else can I say?

God is good and He has shown Himself over and over so many times in my life.

Love to all of you out there.

Continuing to joy in the journey.

D.