Watch the Start of the Tour!

Ralph sent an email yesterday that he arrived safely.  He had no problems crossing the border, and the rest of the trip went smoothly. He said they had a great celebration service yesterday to get them started. He was sleepy because he missed a night of sleep while he traveled.

You can watch the beginning of the tour today at noon.  Just go to SeatoSea.org and hit the “live web cam”. 

I am excited for him and will sure keep the whole group in my prayers.  

[Note: Photo is from LelandBay1 at Flickr. Ralph's bike is the white one and Gayle's is the other.]

Flickr Photos June 29

Praise service, June 29. Courtesy Dr3x26.

[Note that photos on this blog taken from Flickr will be set up so that if you click them you can go to the original which is usually larger in size.]

 

 

 

From flipflops to biking shoes, June 29. Courtesy Jonathan Timothy Stoner.

At the elevator, June 29. Courtesy Jonathan Timothy Stoner.

I’m on My Way!

Friday was kind of a crazy day for me. First thing in the morning Ralph wanted to go shopping for a bike carrier and pannier,  and another bottle holder for his bike. He did not want to buy these things but at the last minute decided he needed them. 

Then it was time to try and put all the stuff that he had accumulated and was piled on the bed into one big bag.  It worked but it weighed 55 lbs. A good thing it had wheels because it was pretty heavy to lift.

A quick lunch and I dropped him off at Robert Q (a local shuttle service).  There was only one other lady on the van besides Ralph and she talked our ear off while we were waiting. Ralph told her all about his biking trip and she thought it was a great idea. I hope he talked her into making a donation.

It seems strange to say goodbye for that length of time. I have never been home alone before for 2 months.  Ralph has been to Holland on his own but our kids were still at home then. So after a few hugs and kisses he was off.

I have not heard from him yet but believe no news is good news.

So when I hear something I will blog again.        

Mail Addresses for Cyclists While on Tour

Here are four addresses in case you feel like sending some mail to Ralph while he is on tour. I am sure it would be greatly appreciated by him.

#1 Boise Idaho, by Sat. July 12
Ralph Fledderus/Sea to Sea Bike Tour
6325 N. Locust Grove Rd
Meridian, Idaho 83646

#2 Denver Colorado, by Sat July 26
Third Christian Reformed Church
2400 S. Ash Street 
Denver, Colorado 80222

#3 Madison Wisconsin, by Sat August 9
Crossroads Church 3815 S. Dutch Mill Rd.
Madison Wisconsin, 53718

#4 St. Catharines, Ontario, by Friday Aug 22
c/o 4 Nickerson Ave.
St. Catharines, Ont.  L2N 3M1

Why Is It Taking So Long for Friday to Get Here?

I have been ready to go now for a few days but it is sure taking long for Friday to get here. I have even had a haircut.  I have said to goodbye to many friends already and I have had many phone calls from my family.

I had ordered some biking clothes over the internet and they just arrived today, so that was cutting it close.  For some reason they were stuck at the border plus I had to pay $17 to customs. So I thought I was getting a bargain but  alas if you add it all up, it realy wasn’t that great of a deal.

So Friday I will leave from Detroit and via Las Vegas will get to Seattle at around 3 a.m. in the morning.

I want to thank all of you who have supported me in this endeavor and hope that you will keep me in your prayers. I have some prayer partners from our church, plus lots of family and all of you praying for me and all the other bikers,  and I realy feel all that support. 

I have also reached my goal of $10,000.

Blessings,
Ralph

P.S. My wife, Cora, will keep the blog up to date as she receives news from me.

One More Week to Go Before Takeoff!

Well things are coming together for me. This week my bike was shipped and I am now riding one of my old bikes. Biked back and forth to Woodstock this afternoon and found out that I missed my good bike. 

Last Sunday at our church someone hit my old bike while it was parked in the bike rack. The fork was bent but I did not realize that my rear tire also has a wobble in it. I have not been riding my good bike to church because one of the pastors had theirs stolen a while ago.

Our family get together was a lot of fun and I got lots of usefull presents like a tent, sleeping bag, thermorest, chair. My kids spoiled me with all these gifts. The grandkids brought their bikes and we went on a family bike ride together. They are all excited for me. 

This Sunday the Sea to Sea bikers will be commissioned in our morning service for the tour ahead. Three of the eight bikers are doing the whole tour and will be leaving on the 27th for Seattle including me. 

Please pray for all the bikers and that they will arrive in Seattle in safety and that the Lord will keep us safe on the tour.                     

I am gathering all the things I need in a spare bedroom and I don’t know how I will be able to get it all into one bag when I look at all of it piled on the bed.

Three Weeks to Go!

Three weeks to go before my trip to Seattle. I am getting all the stuff ready that I need to take and am still able to do a lot of biking. I have biked to Hamilton several times. John and I biked to Woodstock after supper one night last week and it was dark by the time we got home.

Our fundraising is going very well and I am now at $9,000 so only one more to go. I would like to thank the Pijpers for their donation. I don’t think that I know you but it is much appreciated.

This Saturday the kids and grandkids are coming home and we are celebrating many things at once, fathersday, my birthday July 4th, our 41st anniversary July 1st, and of course a big bon voyage. A great time will be held by all !!!