Tuesday, June 10, 2008

After many events - Chris Stephens and Scott Dovey have joined the Rust Rider and the gang.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Where do I begin? Chris Stephens and Scott Dovey joined us on Sunday after noon arriving in Denver via Dulles airport in Washington DC. As I understand it, they missed their connection into Washington due to weather and ended up sleeping on the baggage carousel and then nearly missed their 6am flight because they were both flagged as suspect flyers that demanded further scrutiny. With 2 minutes to spare they made their flight into Denver, rented a car and drove to Laramie, Wy where preacher Dave from the Nazarene church in Rawlings and I picked them up.

I was concerned about the long drive to Laramie but the 100 mile drive didn't seem to bother Dave in light of the closest Walmart being a 100 miles away, not a big deal, finally Chris & Scott join our biking family in Rawlings.

Sunday (prior to picking up the guys) Marvin, Michael and I went to church, and once again I was reminded me how good I have it at New Day CC. Pastor Dave taught the Bible School class, made announcements, lead the song service, preached (good message) did communion devotion, and closed with final prayer, and then headed to a VBS meeting of about 4 people...I really admire him and Lori (his wife) they are really into seeing folks become more like Christ.

Sunday night we took the new guys along with the preacher and his wife out to eat to the Flying J Truck stop, I love those kind of places...big buffet with plenty of sweet ice tea, the fellowship and laughter was contagious. Sunday night the wind started blowing and continued into Monday for our ride. From Lamont (north of Rawlings) the prevailing winds were about 20-30 mph behind us out of the SW unfortunately most of our ride turned west and for the next 40 miles it was 5+ mph into the wind. Every time I say I haven't seen anything like this, or that yesterday was the toughest day, then something else comes along. The distances are so great in this area, the Mothership can park literally 5-6 miles down the road, and you think you're almost there and you peddle and peddle seemingly never making any progress especially with the wind in your face.

Fortunately the temp hovered in between 50-65 degrees...off came the outer jackets. Even going down these mammoth hills we had to peddle to maintain speed, wind gust between 45-50 mph- and don't forget the trucks...But there's more...

The RV has been having generator problems, allowing exhaust to come up into the cabin (that's not good-choke-hack-cough) so I told Marvin to go into Landers with the vehicle and work on fixing the problem. In the mean time Michael (never say die-I got a picture of that) Stephens started to run a fever so he wisely trailered his bike and went called it a day, laying down to get a rest. Chris and I continued to labor against the wind, only after a few miles we spotted the mothership sitting on the top of the mountain, when we arrived at the RV, Marvin and Scott D were standing outside the vehicle looking at the drive shaft laying off to the side of the pavement choking the wheels so it wouldn't roll down the hill. That's right the entire drive shaft decided to drop out on us...

Marv called the towing company and after about an hour or two waiting by the road, the wrecker got there hooked up and took us back to Lander, AND because only one person could ride in the cab the rest of us stayed in the RV and road back to Lander via the wrecker.

Riding in the RV pointing up to the sky on the back of the wrecker and going through the mountains might be an idea for a new Disney ride --- quite a rush being pulled with that much give and take in your vehicle and having no control what so ever.

Finally made it to Jim's auto repair and in the meantime called Pastor Dan at the New Hope Christian Church of Lander who came to our rescue...he arrived within 15 min of pulling into the repair shop...he offered their small church to house us for our lay over, plus he was able to take Michael to ER at the hospital, seemed he had developed some kind of bug that needed medical attention, the hospital gave him fluids dealt with the problem gave him some stuff to sleep and today Scott D is going to run him to Riverton, Wy to get his prescription filled (25 miles away).

Pastor Dan also gave us his Toyota Pickup to do our running since our RV was out of commission, (what a blessing) with that we went out to get a bite to eat and then found out about an RV park that actually had showers, we went over there and found a wonderful Christian couple that invited us in and allowed us to shower (warm water-YEA!). Since the little truck will only handle two people, Marvin and I scrunched behind the seats...we also found out Chris really doesn't know much about driving a stick shift in the floor...anyone need to GRIND a pound of meat? lol

As it is we're sitting in a repair lot with junk cars all around us this morning waiting on the mechanic to open up. I wouldn't have wished any of our circumstances on anybody, but in every instance God has provided through difficult situations...even here at the repair shop, it looks like we will be able to get our generators fixed, push back the rear bumper that we pulled out in a minor mishap back in Pueblo, plus the mechanic is going to put back a stronger drive shaft than the present unit, AND Michael during this down time can recoup and get feeling better.

What's really neat about this whole experience is...most of yesterday had to do with relying on others (as most of our lives do) and asking. It just so happened that our Oswald Chamber's Devotional (MUFHH) for the day (June 9th) was based on Lk 11:10 "For everyone that asks receives" We totally have been seeing this throughout the Big Ride...Pray for us as we make adjustments and hope to be back on the road either today or tomorrow...and on our way to Dubois and then on to the Grand Tetons. Sorry for being so wordy, but I thought you might be interested.
God's best as you ask and go forward by faith.

Scott...aka The Rust Rider.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

I know it seems hard to believe but we've been freezing our tails off the last few days...Ever since Silverthorne, Co we have been looking winter directly in the face. This morning we left Saratoga Camp ground in Wyoming, the temp held in at 41 degrees and then as we moved north toward Rawlins the temperatures dipped to 36 degrees and head winds of 20+ miles per hour. Along with the wind came the rain and the sleet that soaked us to the core, now add the speed of the bike at 15mph and you've got a recipe for a biker slushy, I haven't been that cold for some time, I started to sing Christmas songs...and it's June!

Made our way up I-80 and the truckers really worked in our favor breaking the wind and allowing us to make better times through this big hilly, windy, and beautiful state. It was so cold that I put on two pairs of riding gloves, and extra set of leggings and I even put a pair of socks over (not under) my riding shoes, our feet were like ice cubes.
We rode up to Lamont but came back south to Rawlins and are guest of a little Nazarene church today. We called them about 4 hours before arrival and they took us in, even let us use their own shower and rest room in their house .Pastor Dave and his wife Lori minister at this small church, but they seem very content in their ministry.

Well that's about it, Chris Stephens and Scott Dovey join us tonight, they;re flying into Denver and will make the 3+ hour trip to Rawlins, I'm looking forward to seeing them, even at 3-4 in the morning. I started the day as I always do reading Oswald Chambers daily Devotional, the one for today was entitled, "Don't Slack Off" boy was that one ever timely, and it's not only when you're riding a bike, it's also most pointed at the Christian life. We haven't gotten this far on our bikes by riding when we felt like it, and we don't make a lasting impact on others in our life or the life of the church by being obedient only when we feel like it, so here's the word, "Don't Slack Off" serve the Lord with gladness, until next time.
Scott ...aka...The Rust Rider

Michael Stephens and Marvin Tallent are a blessing to have on this trip...word for the day from Michael..."You shouldn't have to peddle down hill, it's not fair." (head winds)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

It's been a week full of ups and downs, high winds, moutains, cold temperatures and a few snow flurries thrown in for good measure. Started the week at Royal Gorge near Canon City, Co, and then pressed on into the Rockies. The hardest climb came early on in the week, Hoosier Pass, nearly 4 miles to the top and 12,000 ft in elevation. The shoulder going up to the summit had next to no shoulder, and the trucks really didn't care much about cutting some slack as much as they wanted to get to the top. The was thin, the nausea was there, and the headaches came in sharp and hard, but it was worth it all to stand at this continental divide and realize that you had made it. Both Marvin and Michael have assumed exchanging driving for riding this week because we have no driver, and it's seemed to work out nicely.

We went through Breckenridge on our way to Silverthorne this week and what a lovely area this is, I didn't see any stars but the place sure exuded a fancy lifestyle, needless to say, we kept moving on. We stay at Abundant life Church on Wed, were fed a meal and attended their Bible Study with about 12 other people, Pastor Rick was a really good host, we had to go down to the local YMCA to shower.

Today is Thursday and we made our way up Rt 9 toward Walden Co. The day was long, and the weather started cold and got colder. In the mean time about 4 days ago we ran into Dave and Forest who were biking from Mexico to Canada and camping out everynight, and we kind of formed a riding bond with them. It was interesting because after that we ran into them another 4 or 5 times...they were riding fat tire bikes and pulling all there equipment behind them. I was hoping to get them to do the intro for Sunday but it didn't work out.

A couple of Texas boys enjoying their graduation from college by doing this bike ride before joining the working class. Had prayer with them today in a roadside resturant, they looked really beat after sleeping out all night.

This trip is so much like life in general, every day has it's challenges, and everyday has it's rewards. Maybe the apostel Paul was a bike rider, because he commented about not giving up or grow weary in doing good, for in a season we would reap a reward. I've yet to get to a scenic breath taking view without first struggling up a mountain. What's your mountain? Don't give up, press on. That it's for today, and if we have internet tomorrow we'll write again.
The Rust Rider---Scott

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

We had a short ride today (55 miles) and ended up in a KOA shadowed by the Rockies, some even had snow on them! We had the opportunity ride through Canon City, Co, and ride out to Royal Gorge. I'm not sure why the Royal Gorge bridge was built, but boy is it high, spanning 1800 ft above the canyon floor over looking the Arkansas river. Simply reminded me of how big and awesome God is and how weak and puny I am. I have a tendency to turn that around some time and get myself in trouble.

Today was the first actual mountain roads I experienced, nothing overwhelming but they just kept going on and on and up and up. YIkes! Keeps us in your prayers as we continue north toward Fairplay and hope to stay at our Christian Camp at Cumo on Tuesday night. The Rust Rider

Sunday, June 1, 2008

We made our way across Kansas this week and it was a hard and discouraging ride. Not because Kansas was a bad state, actually it was quite beautiful, it was the wind. Did I say wind? It never stopped blowing, in fact I stopped by a marker noting the Santa Fe Trail and read a statement made in September of 1825, the statement said, "This is a big territory, but the winds are driving us insane." It was really neat to see the trail of literally thousands of horse and wagons made hundreds of years ago that can still be seen, the Trail was active up until the late 1860's. Plus Kansas is an open plain and very erid with very little change in scenery...I started counting telephone poles. In fact Michael Stephens and I got off of our bikes to walk over to a telephone pole with those green insulators on and in the process a fellow pulled up to my bike and started to throw it in his truck. I yelled at him and off he went, how embarrasing would that have been.

We were able to catch up with Ken & Judy Claar in Garden City, Ks, and had a wonderful time just seeing a familiar face being so far away from home. After our brief visit we headed on to Scott City, were we stayed at a Baptist Church and found a shower down at the community center. On Saturday we made our way to Eads Colorado. It was really cool to cross from the central time zone into the Mountain Time Zone, and gain an hour, it made the day go a little bit easier. When we finally came to the "welcome to Colorado" sign we had enough time to sit under it with our New Day lawn chairs, and eat lunch, along with a stiff Co, breeze. While in Eads we worshipped with Alvin Clamp and even took showers over at his house. Alvin was a pretty colorful fellow, and a testimony of God's saving grace, his wife Margaret was in the early stages of alzheimers and was a delight to be around, another testimony of a couples commitment to the covenant of marriage. Worship with them and then hit the road over to Pueblo Co (where I write this evening). We had to get to Pueblo in order that our driver Dan Mokris could catch a shuttle to Colorado Springs and a flight back to Georgia, we're gonna miss him. The Rockies now lay before us, and as with all challenges we're praying that we're up to the task.

Some of you have commented that I look like I'm losing weight...I suppose a little here and there, but then I'm burning 6-8k calories a day, so I have no problem eating cheese burgers guilt free. Okay that's it for now, drop us a note on the blog and stay in touch, you're words of encouragement and prayer mean so much.

wSc "The Rust Rider"

Friday, May 30, 2008

Well it's been a tough week...we left the friendly confines of Coalgate Ok and push on to Ponca City a little town of about 25k out in the northern end of Ok. We stayed at a fairly large FBC there but had to shower at a nearby YMCA...because this church had no facilities. But as the Lord provides we went over to the Y and they gave us towels, and showers for nothing after they learned of our mission.

From Ponca City we pressed on to Medicine Lodge Ks, the winds shifted and made the 127 mile ride quite a challenge. North of Blackwater Ok we encountered our a river that was out of it's banks and running across a nearby road...to go around we would have had to ride another 25 miles so I'm made the call to go across...water on the road and full speed ahead...the water was never more than 10 inches deep so it wasn't too bad. What intrigued me was the thousands of night crawlers all over the road trying to find high ground...a fisherman's paradise.

While at Medicine Lodge we stayed with the FCC there and enjoyed not only showers, but they had supper ready for us as well. Since our clothes were all in need of a wash we walked down to the local laundry mat (5 blocks away) only to find out the place had closed down a week earlier. Dan Mokris our bus driver however was able to throw in a acouple of loads today (Thur) while we rode north. We were up and at it by 6am (normal wake up) and made our way to Dodge City (Boot Hill) Ks today.

107 miles and without a doubt one of the toughest rides I've ever encourntered...hills, distance and 20-25 mph winds in our face all day...we should have been done with the ride in a little over 7 hours, but 11 hours later we arrived...as I write I am very tired, but mindful that our ride much like life has it's ups and downs and just because things slow you down or get tough is no reason to quit especially if your life is being lived to please Jesus.

Okay on to Scott City (I kind of like that name) continue to keep us on your prayers, we hope to see Ken & Judy Claar in Garden City...wSc "The Rust Rider"