Started out riding with Peter, a student at Redeemer and a fun cycling partner. He is cheerful and encouraging and all around fun. Which is why he was game to stop when this huge Sand crane flew over top of us and I needed to stop for a picture. OK so the grass was almost as high as the bird from the road so I thought I could get closer by going through the ditch. Peter warned me that it looked swampy and he was right. I got half way in and started sinking and then something bolted through the under brush so I hightailed it back to the road. As Peter describes it-Gayle disappeared into the grass and brush then quickly reappeared crying"Critter!".
Then we heard Lois coming up behind us"Hey! Not fair! That thing is faster than I am!" as she cycled along side this one running along the ditch. At the first SAG we switched partners and I got to ride with Dale for the first time.
A witty and adventurous guy, I showed him how to get Sea To Sea discounts along the way. Just ASK. Dale then saw a sign for a driving range which he said he couldn't pass by without hitting a few balls. That was until he saw the 9% gravel grade up to the entrance. He said he would pass but was impressed that I was one of the few cyclists who would be willing to stop for such a silly thing. All part of the journey Dale.
We headed up to the summit of Rabbit Ears pass and the Continental divide. Up there we met up with Opa Ralph and lifted our bikes in celebration.
Everyone was impressed that I could actually lift mine. Hey, anyone can lift one of those high tech light weight road bikes(well maybe not everyone, eh, Ralph?) but I say if you can't lift it don't ride it.
We celebrated with M&M Peanuts, JellyBellys and Coke.
Here are some of the sights and views...what a beautiful ride.
On the coast down the road had no shoulder and raised 4inches from the gravel side. As I was coasting up a rolling hill a side wind caught me and I was over the edge and desperately gripping the handlebars and unclipping trying to regain control in the 2 feet of loose sand gravel, before I flipped down the 20foot drop to my right. Praise God for strength, calmness and fat tires and I stop the bike without falling or flipping. Lynn and Roger were behind me and amazed that I had been able to pull out of it. They had been ready to pull me up the drop.
Once again a great ride though long.
Also, after a meeting with the Sweep Team leaders, there has been some procedure changes that meet the needs of our community. Sweep will be the last riders in each day. Riders will be pulled off the ride by SAGs if they are not going to arrive at camp at a reasonable time. Praise God that we were able to work together to find balance for everyone. Thanks to the Leaders of both SeaToSea and the Sweep team for working this out. Peace
4 comments:
What no pictures of you being chased by the critter!?!?!
Whoaoa! Sounds like you had two adrenaline soaked classic daymares there: being chased by hidden critters while sinking (probably just the rabbit trying to find his ears back. . .) and being pushed by some unseen force while hurtling along the loose edge of a precipice. Or maybe your life is starting to resemble a B movie. . . Seriously though, we're very grateful that you survived both adventures and did not sustain any physical injuries. May God continue to bless you so :)
(Are you sure no one got the chase scene on video? Pity!)
Just so you know... if you receive a card this weekend in the mail bag from Hannah, it was originally supposed to be from both of us :). She mailed the card before I had a chance to write something... a bit of a miscommunication. So, I hope you enjoy it! We had fun finding it :)... I also tried to mail another card this week, but found out it would take 7-10 days to arrive. So, you won't get it this week, but 2 weeks from now :)... this time I won't procrastinate! Keep up the great work and thanks for the updates! God bless you each day!
The last message is from Kirsten... I accidently hit enter instead of delete when typing me name :)
Post a Comment