And It Came To Pass

Sea To Sea is finished and so is this adventure and blog. This weekend I have been able to do a few events that have really tied things up for me.
First was the promised Porch Party Reunion with Rob, Marge and Peter.
We arrived at Rob and Betty's house late afternoon and started with....well what else? a bike ride.

Rob led our group through the city of Hamilton on a route he described as "flat-ish". For those who have been to this city built on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, you know that means mostly up hill. We headed off and I turned to Peter-Yup, just like Sea To Sea...we have a head wind! As we were going up one of many grades I was reminded of the Cascade and Rockie Mountain climbs, only instead of 40-50 kms of it, this time it was only for at most 1km. Betty commented that this was the "ish" part of Rob's "flat-ish" description. He spent too much time with Ed on the tour. But I did notice a change. Instead of grinding up the hills in my lowest granny gear at 5km/hr, I was trucking along at about 13km/hr in 2-1 to 2-4 range. I really am stronger.
We headed back to the house and lounged on the porch while enjoying BBQ ribs. As we chatted, I realised that this was not just a Sea To Sea connection as we had so many other things that we shared over laughs. I'm very grateful that God brought these great new friends into my life.

Then on Sunday, the group of cyclists from my church shared our SeaToSea stories during the children's time. I shared about the support that I had received from my church family and from this blog's community as I dumped a pile of all the cards, notes letters and prayer squares across the floor. I actually am going through and reading each of those again. They meant so much to me while I was on the tour and so far away. They brought my heart encouragement I so needed. I am truly blessed. After church, we had our community picnic which I biked out to at a park north of town. Once again, I was able to do the ride with much more ease than I had before and memories of Sea To Sea came back as people honked and cheered as they passed me in their vehicles.

Well being a numbers girl...here are some of the stats,
6113kms
133kms left behind(sigh)
7 flat tires
19 hours of rain
6 tail winds
49 litres of Coke...at least some of it cold!
2 tattoos
6 inches of hair
2 oceans
81.2 kms/hr top speed(coming down Berthoud pass and only for a moment then I was braking but it didn't require any pedal effort)
10kgs/22lbs of weight loss
1.5 jean sizes(I hate that half size!)
$3000 in migraine medication
17.8 km/hr average speed
(that is weighted based on my average speed over the number of kms per individual day)
Infinitely many memories and prayers

They said that Sea To Sea would be a life changing experience. I don't really feel that it was for me. It was an amazing adventure but I have returned to a life that I love and so change was not what I was looking for or needing. But maybe it wasn't my life that it was suppose to change. I am hoping that the lives changed by Sea To Sea are those who are trapped in the cycle of poverty and now may have hope and opportunity to break that cycle. Like the community of Huntington, OR, whose school are now using text books that were purchased with the fees we paid to camp on the school grounds. Those are the changes that Sea To Sea needed to make.

And so on this last day of summer/first day of autumn, I gratefully let the journey of Sea To Sea pass. People ask me-would you do it again? Well...knowing all I know now, what would happen, all the struggles, the new friends, the experiences, I would go back in time and fly to Seattle and do it all again-no changes. I would even use the same bike much to the dismay of some..many! Nick Ellens commented in his blog that he is now in the Netherlands using a hybrid bike and missing his Scarlett. As he was going up the hills, he said he got a new appreciation for what I had done on Sea To Sea although he wasn't sure if he should congratulate me or rebuke me. Hey Nick, it's OK to do both. But I'm not sure I feel the need to do it again, although a shorter trip, weekend, week long isn't out of the question. I also noted that other than the 2 out of town trips in my car(1 to pick up the ferrets, 1 this weekend to the reunion) I have actually put more kms on my bike than on my car since returning home. I think that is a good thing.
I thank God for his guidance in putting Sea To Sea on my heart and allowing me to complete it. I am eternally grateful to my loving and supportive church family who believed in me all the way. I am thankful for the new friends Marti, Josh, Rob, Marge, Peter, Dale, Jim, Terry, Teresa and Paul. You have left your handprints on my heart and I know this is more than just a summer thing.
I would be amiss if I didn't mention my "blog" community. The blog has been definitely the biggest surprise as it went viral over the summer. I remember David, who was the first stranger to contact me(last July!)and let me know he was following my Sea To Sea adventure. I am so amazed that complete strangers took such an interest in my ramblings and grumblings and am so overwhelmed with gratitude for God using it to bring you into my journey. Your supportive comments, letters of encouragements and gifts along the way were the energy that fueled my ride as the medication and earthly elements sucked it out. You kept me going and reminded me constantly of the grace in God's world.

My friend, Kristie, did a prayer square that really sums the whole journey up.
"Courage is not always a roar. But sometimes the quiet whisper that says-Tomorrow, I will try again"

Now to all of us:
Go forth, to love and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Amen.

OOOWWWWW..OK That Hurt More Than It Needed To

OK...so tonight I needed to finish what I started. 10 days before I left on Sea to Sea, I got a tatto with a bicycle wheel in waves and Pacific on my right ankle. One of my main motivations to finish Sea To Sea was to earn the left Atlantic Tattoo that I had booked when I got the Pacific one.
Now it wasn't my first tatt but it was definitely my most painful so I thought I had prepared myself for this one. I was wrong. First Glen had to prep my blank slate of a left ankle.

Then he also had to prep the right as the Pacific tatt hadn't healed completely before the wear and tear of cycling so it needed touch up.

Seriously, I can't believe I was paying this guy to hurt me this bad! I was not very gracious about it either although I did barely manage to control my swearing. Right beside me(I mean in the same room) was a young guy getting a tatt on his calf. We were in the same room as the other room was also full. I was experiencing extreme pain with each stroke. I was trying to get to my happy place with chocolate and Jelly Belly but that wasn't even effective. Now somewhere between my mumbles, screams and moans the guys ended up discussing tattooing more "intimate" body parts and the young guy decided that he needed his...uh....private extremity tattooed with the word "Toxic"...like tonight. I'm thinking-"Dude, that s not an impulse buy kinda thing." He was convinced but there was a catch...they would have to do it in the same room where we were...with me there.(I can't make this kind of story up! How do I get into these situations?)
I think the pain was seriously impairing my judgement...'cause I said whatever. Yes it really happened and so my option was to either watch Glenn slowly torcher me or what was happening next to me....I chose to close my eyes.
Finally....It was done...My tatt and apparently the one next to me too.

No pictures of the other tatt...but I'm happy to have my ankle set complete.
I have some final thoughts on the whole Sea To Sea adventure which I will close with tomorrow.

Back With My Family

Sunday morning, I woke to the rain falling outside...I knew I couldn't be on Sea To Sea anymore!
I rolled out of bed with a smile on my heart as I prepared to worship with my family for the first time in months. My family at First CRC sustained me through my training, my car accident, my recovery and my trek from Sea To Sea. Now they would see the rewards of their work, their prayers, their love. With much joy, I walked the 3 blocks to our home. It was both familiar and strange to go through the doors again. But many smiles and the sound of the praise team greeted me and hadn't surrendered my seat in the balcony to some other lost soul.
They greeted me with warmth and enthusiasm. Scott said that he had thought about us daily as he had taken to biking to work during the summer."It wasn't even close to what you were doing. I can't imagine how you did it!"Scott- neither do I some days. Pieter's sermon was on Working on Salvation, and as much as I kid him, I do feel that he is in his element and I am thankful to have such a great person as a pastor and spiritual leader.
I had missed the team of Pieter and Willemina leading our community, missed the music of the hymns as the voice rise to the balcony, missed the birth of some new members who I did have the privilege of seeing baptised this morning.
But more than not, I was welcomed as if I had never left. Sliding back into the community that had never let me go.
It's good to have a home to come back to. Amazing to love and have that love returned.

Back on the Bike

(Please note that Photos have been added to the Atlantic arrival post)
This morning, I woke at 6am, donned my cycling clothes and headed out for a ride(old habits die hard) with my amazing supporter and incredible friend, Jen for a bike and hike.

It was still dark when we met on the bike path in London and raining but both of us are OK with those conditions. It was good to ride with Jen as we had cycled together on this route before Sea To Sea and she was able to give me feedback and encouragement on my progress...sometimes that's hard to see for yourself.
But today I noticed. A hill that I had consistently walked during training was conquered in 2-5 gear with very little effort and in general the ride seemed smooth, short and doable even with a strong headwind. Of course there was a headwind...I was on a bike!
We reached Komoka Provincial Park in just over 35mins(15kms)and parked our bikes for a 5km hike.


YES...I cut 6 inches of hair off!
I love this hike and often during the summer I would be out here 3-4 times a week. I had missed this trail and was amazed at all the changes since I had last been here. Happy to see the foliage changing into it's autumn hues, I am ready for a new season.
A little bit of a tail wind pushed us home along the same route that 2 weeks ago was my golden path to my friends and family. Amazingly, some of the chalk greeting are still visible on the path through London.
Even my sister, who runs these paths was saying she had seen them all when she was out.
2.5hours and memories of that return journey from Sea To Sea into London,I'm glad not to be fed up with cycling but also glad not to have the pressure of daily requirements. Jen wants to make this Friday run a standing date and I have taken her up on that offer. More good advise was not to just quit cycling immediately but just like I built up to Sea To Sea, I needed to pace down. I can do that.

Settling Home

It's a lovely evening. I'm on my deck enjoying the cool of the night by the glow of my patio lights.
I've been home for just over 24hrs now and it feels good and right.
Monday's drive home with Heather and Ben was somewhat surreal. It was odd to drive a car again. I was in awe of the mountains as we followed a very similiar route as Sea To Sea had taken...did I really cycle through those things? That's crazy! Our drive was smooth through the sunlight and the border crossing was fast and easy. Unloading the car tiring and although my streamers had survived the long rides at my slow pace....apparently the car ride home was too much.


Yes...There is a trail of sparkles from Jersey City to London.
This morning I did a REAL short ride...my 30kms training route to Komoka PP, I did well and still enjoy that ride early in the morning. Tomorrow I'm going hiking there. My friend Jen then came to retrieve me to gather my belongings from Pieter and Margaret's house. It felt like home getting behind her wheel again. Then there were errands to run, banking, and of course groceries! It was such a treat to find my favourite foods again...and a little overwhelming trying to choose my menu for this week.
After lunch, my most important task, retrieving my babies from their Godparents. It was amazing to cuddle the ferrets again and all were happy to see the momma again. Also I got to visit with Karen and Geoff and the kids. I really appreciated this blog as I didn't have to retell all Sea To Sea stories but could catch up on their lives.
Finally, the drive back home and the resettling of the ferrets.

They are a little stressed trapped in their cage as I have not unpacked everything yet and they would love to root around in all those interesting bags and baskets. Not going to happen boys!

And although I should be unpacking, instead I am reflecting on my trip. My ride today did remind me of some things and people that I miss already.
1-I miss finishing my ride to the welcoming smile on Marti's face as she asked about my daily ride.
2-I miss the whistling of Josh as he caught up with me and greeted me with his radiant smile-his eyes with a sparkle, the smile filling his face.
3-I miss hunting for that local ice cream shop with Rob.
4-I miss Brian's "Hey BEBE!" and sly wink as he passed me daily!
5-I miss Nathan's nervous laugh as I made another off the cuff remark.
6-I miss the tears of laughter with Marge and Peter.
7-I miss not knowing what I will find the next day...or maybe I won't! :)

But I love being home, I have a great life to return to....and I am reminded that I have never missed being truly blessed.

Finally....The Atlantic

After getting a good sleep in the basement of the church, I got up with only 4.5 hours of sleep to complete my final duties on sweep-serving breakfast- on the final day. It had rained, poured most of the night and we woke to a cool overcast morning. As I dished out the oatmeal, I was determined to greet each person by name. I think I only missed one or two, I had hoped to know each cyclist by name and am proud to have done a fairly good job of that as well.
I headed out on my ride by myself. Most of the tour this is how I had journeyed so it felt like a good way to send. Also I had decided to be the last one in the pack for the day, again taking the place I had occupied for most of the tour.
As I headed up the first incline, once again people greeted me as they passed, it felt familiar and right. All except Rob, who decided that one more day of fun was in order for us. We caught up with Marge and Peter and discussed when we would be having our fall reunion....on Rob's new front porch!
The weather was perfect for cycling even with the humidity building. Although we had a deadline for the staging for the final 10mi escort, Rob and I were pacing fine and were able to have a relaxed ride. Of course, it wouldn't have been a ride with Rob if we didn't include a hunt for ice cream so I was in charge of spotting. We found a great place just inside the city and enjoyed the best mango, vanilla custard, gelati treat as we lounged on the front porch and watched some of the cyclist go by. My friends Margaret and Cora also flagged us down on their way to Liberty State Park to cheer us and their husband's in.
I guess that is when things were going to well. The route had some extreme inclines through the city. I knew we were in trouble when we had to turn onto Long Hill Rd....those are never down hills!
An annoying knocking was happening in the front of my bike as we progressed. All I could think was that it was payback from Josh. He had snuck something into my bike and now I had to find it. I was going to kill him! However, another cyclist said it sounded like my shocks so I loosened them up and sure enough that helped. Josh's life was spared and I will have to have those looked at when I get home.
Also there were several local support groups with water and treats that you just can't pass by. If some takes the time to sit in the sun/rain for hours just to treat and greet you, it is ungrateful to just whizz by...a few minutes of time is never too much.
As we headed to our second last turn, only the sweep was behind us and we got our first glispe of the NYC skyline. We were tight on time but very close. We took the next turn to the unfortunately hiss of a flat tire. Sadly, I prayed that it wasn't mine...I know, I know but Rob would be able to deal with it better than me!
It was Rob's back tire and we quickly pulled over to do the fastest change we could. The sweep team flew by soon followed by Besty in the SAG van. Besty pulled over to check our progress. We were doing fine, even a local guy who had seen us had come over to offer the assistance of an automatic pump. As Rob switched out the tubes, I checked his tire and found a 1 inch slash which we repaired with duct tape as there was no time for the super glue.

We could hear Betsy on the phone with Ed" Yes they are OK, only a few miles to go. I'll get them on the road."
With the tire fixed, we hopped on our bikes ready to fly. Although we had wanted to be last, we hadn't wanted to be this late. Besty went ahead of us and soon we saw her at the next turn. Whew we had made it! But much to our dismay, she waved us pass calling "1 more mile!" You have to be kidding.
Kicking into high gear, we soared the last stretch at 42.6kms/hr and seeing Ed and the police escort waiting for us. I started honking my horn so they knew we were there and zipped into the procession....much like my entrance into the Grand Rapids staging.
Unfortunately, Rob wasn't the last flat of the tour as Gerry experienced his first just minutes before we were to leave. A bunch of guys worked with him to repair and the procession started it's parade to the ocean.
It was amazing being in the rear watching the group as they moved en mass, the NYC skyline as the back drop.
The cyclists had taken off their saftey vests for this last part and a few had been dropped. Rick Gritters on his low recumbant was able to scoop them up then came up beside me for a pass off as I tossed them in my basket!
We were greeted with cheers and honks and a few of us grabbed the last of our Sea To Sea Card and passed them out along the way. Passing through a few rough neighbourhood, we were once again reminded of the people this tour was really about.
Finally we edged along the waterfront and reached the boat launch at Liberty State Park. We lined up, prayed and moved forward for the final dip into the Atlantic.


I was honoured to be side by side with Peter,Marge and Rob.

We had done it.
The eight cyclists from my home church gathered for our final photo.

Josh and I found each other, cracked open our cokes and toasted our victory! A good journey, well done with a great friend.

With many wishes and much joy we completed our ride. Loading our bikes into the truck, Josh and I jump onto the school bus for a ride back to the school. Karen and Melissa joined us at the back for some giddy antics like we were back in school. The bus ride was wild over the interstate and with some pretty nasty bumps, Josh and I got some serious air trying to stay in our seats. We realised that it was going to be about an hour and Melissa asked what I was going to do about my hair. I told her I would be cutting it before the final dinner and then working on unbraiding it on the trip home. I mentioned it would have been fun to have it all taken out for the evening to see if anyone would recognise me with normal hair and she said, "We've got time and people right now...let's do it!" I found my jackknife and let Josh have the first cut. Karen then took over cutting the braids to my regular length as Melissa, Steph, Hilena and I unbraided...

Josh was mesmerized by the whole process(photo courtesy of Josh Nyenhuis).
We got about 20 of the 100 braid undone by the time we got to the school and so a few of the other women came to help. By shower time about 1/2 of the braids were gone...good enough.
An amazing dinner was hosted by the Cedar Hill CRC which finally satisfied my summer long craving for BBQ ribs! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
After dinner, we ended with an incredible celebration service

where I got to meet Brian's mom, Cathy who has been following this blog.

Yes it was done. Time to say good bye...with moments with Marti, Josh, Brian, Peter, Marge and Rob....promises that this was not good bye but until God brings us together again.


Marti, kindly, put these comments in her blog...
"Gayle Harrison astounded us all by completing this whole arduous climbing ride on her heavier-than-lead hybrid in time for dinner! She is a real trooper and I'm proud of her to have completed this immense ride from Coast to coast on "that" bike, with all the health and other challenges she had to overcome. Gayle, I am totally speechless and in awe of what you will have accomplished tomorrow despite all odds! Congrats Girl!!! I doubt if I could have done it if I were in your position!"

I will add more photos soon. Also, I will be blogging until September 9, 2008....there is some reflecting and unfinished business that needs to happen to complete my journey that I want to share with all who have been my blog community throughout this adventure.

It's Sometimes the Small Victories.

Just some notes on things that I am proud to have done on this tour. Much to the shock of everyone, maybe even myself, I have not needed to SAG since August 5. The next day was the longest day on the tour, 184.9 kms and from there I have been blessed with strength, decent health and weather and good friends and encouragement. It feels good to heal.

I am still down 133kms. That means I have cycled 98% of the tour of Sea To Sea. I'm not going to be able to make up that distance before the tour ends. I'm not sure just yet how I feel about that.

What I am very proud of that each day I got up and rode my bike. Whether I finished, SAGed or SAG-Hopped, I never refused to try.

God has blessed me in my weakness and provided all that I needed.