I was concentrating on remaining upright as truck after truck tried to sweep me off the road when I came upon the thought that, "I asked for this!." Way back in 2005 when I had completed the ride, had been off my bike for an entire week and was well rested, I spoke in front of the church and said this,
"It is good to be back. I left Chatham 82 days ago and have spent the majority of those days riding my bicycle across this great land. What an awesome opportunity this turned out to be. It was exciting and it was frightening, as we did not know what to expect or even where we were going. We stepped out in faith and trusted that someone would be there to guide us along the way. It was a very spiritual journey. We relied very heavily upon prayer. We saw and felt God's presence in everything we encountered along the way. Our God is indeed a great and awesome God.
We started our journey in Vancouver with the dipping of our back tires into the Pacific Ocean. We started off as a group of strangers with many different reasons for being there and we ended up a family. Young and old, male and female, employed or retired, CRC or of another denomination we ended up united, "all for one and one for all". This was especially evident when we met for last minute instructions on our final media and peloton event at the All Nations CRC in Halifax. Dave Raakman suggested that we ride into Pier 21 together and then individually work our way to Point Pleasant Park to dip our front tires into the Atlantic Ocean. This was met with an unanimous "NO". We had already decided weeks earlier that we would all ride to the Ocean and then we would wait, perhaps just feet from the end of our journey, until every last one of us had arrived and then all together we would advance towards the finish line, a united effort. All for one and one for all.
Canada is a very beautiful place to live and travel across. From the majestic Rocky mountains, the foothills, the Okanogan Valley, beautiful Lake Louise, the Prairies, the Canadian Shield, little explored Quebec with its mountains, hill and valleys to the rolling Maritimes with its tidal bores and wet welcome from hurricane Katrina, it is a great and wondrous land.
We were able to enjoy the outdoors on a whole new level. Rain or shine. We had days where we stumbled with heat exhaustion and dehydration, when we were sunburnt and sore, wind burnt and defeated, fatigued beyond the desire to do anything but sleep. Other days were spent shivering in the frost laden air, curling up our frozen toes and fingers and cringing in pain as we attempted to walk on legs so cold the muscles had cramped up. We had days of glory, when clouds followed you across the sun-baked land, when the wind caressed your back and the gentle breeze cooled your sweating brow. And we had hurricane Katrina. But through it all God kept us safe.
You become rather attached to your bike. My partner, a blue TREK X500 touring bike, served me well. Of the 550 flats that we encountered throughout the trip, only 2 were mine. I also had to change the tire, fix the derailleur after a small accident, and replace the back rim.
A special thank you to all who have kept me 'pumped' through prayer, visits, cards and letters. Thank you also for allowing me the opportunity to represent First CRC on the first Sea-to-Sea trip across Canada. After all of the weather, food, shower, repair, road and camp facilities are taken into account, would I do it again? YES!"
What was I thinking? Words can come back to haunt you...
About The Cause
- Paul and Teresa
- We are cycling from Sea to Sea this summer to draw attention to the plight of poverty throughout the world. With Cynthia Aukema, we are going to raise $30,000 to help 'End the Cycle of Poverty'.
The Team of Chatham Cyclists
Cynthia, Teresa and Paul