This trip has been an incredible blessing in my life and already, these people who I have known for less than a week are beginning to feel like a big extended family.
Monday:
Started the morning in Vernon BC. I have enjoyed sleeping out under the stars and last night I got to try out a hammock (with the extra perk of a big night) from a fellow cyclist. The moon and stars have been amazing to wonder at. Kaitlin and I tested out the piano and played a few rusty keys before we left this morning. It was a short ride today – only 60 km to Salmon Arm. We got treated along the way to free gelato and cheese curds as the family of two of the cyclists (Sara and Jenn Wikkerink) have a farm in the area. It was a highlight of the day for many of the cyclists! Salmon Arm provided coffee shops and beautiful lake scenery and bike shop supplies for many of the riders as well as a swimming hole in Shuswap lake with one of the many John’s and Chris from Michigan. In camp, tents popped up and a little city was created once again.
We were provided with an incredible dinner by Cornerstone CRC and Dad and I were privileged to visit with Mel and Sandra Brandsma as well as Uncle John and Aunt Jacquie!
I got to experience riding a recumbent bike around the parking lot!
Prayer requests: Wednesday and Thursday are going to be tough climbing days which many riders are concerned about. Pray for relief from any anxious thoughts and for them to be able to enjoy the ride today (Tuesday)
Also, for those coming and going from the tour; leaving is tough and already the anticipation of arriving in Calgary is feeling too close.
For conversations (dad loves taking with people 🙂 ) to be meaningful and for opportunities to learn and grow.
~
Christiana
It’s hard to believe that a week of biking has passed already! This weekend we were settled at a school in Vernon, and enjoyed a day off. Each day has been an adventure, and I have constantly been amazed at the beauty of BC. As Christiana mentioned, Monday was a very exciting sendoff day, and we experienced the community of biking with our Sea to Sea team for the first time. On Wednesday we biked 70 km’s from Hope to Manning park. It was a shorter day, but it certainly wasn’t easy as it was virtually all uphill! I have found that riding as a team with a common goal has made a world of a difference with my attitude towards long bike rides… Rather than biking in circles at home (unavoidable for training), we’re heading across the country. Riders and volunteers are constantly encouraging each other, especially during tough rides, and we are reminded each day about the purpose of this trip, which is to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who have been living in poverty. Friday and Saturday we made our way through the Okanagan, and it was certainly beautiful but the temperature ranged from 32 degrees to high 30s! Christiana and I really enjoyed jumping into creeks and lakes throughout the day! With the conclusion of our first week, I look back and am thankful for the community that has so quickly formed and for the opportunity to be out enjoying God’s creation each day.
~Kaitlin
Sea to Sea 2017 