Update

Now that I have successfully added a few posts to the blog, I wanted to give you all a bit more of an update on past posts. First off, thank you all for your prayers, especially for my physical condition. My Achilles tendons are feeling better, though, my right one was still giving me pain today. My sister, who is in school for Athletic training was able to give me some tips. Ibuprofen and ice... So I stocked up on 200 tablets of ibuprofen, but I'm still looking for an ice gel pack. Hopefully we'll be able to find one this Sunday.

Other than that i feel pretty good. Today I took it pretty easy, though, as I plan to do tomorrow, before our day of rest. So, I think that might help. One thing that was really nice though, as I was hanging back with Jonny and Fiona for the day, Jonny pointed out, that this really isn't a race. There's no sense at all pushing through each day and trying to finish 2 hours early each day, when we can take a few minutes to really stop and take a few pictures, talk to people along the way and just enjoy a pleasant ride through God's creation. I think I'm probably going to make that more of my philosophy over the next days, though, I would like the opportunity to ride with some of the people towards the middle and front at times.

Anyways, God has been good so far, as he has continued to bring in support for Youth for Christ, we haven't had any injuries to speak of (other than the minor bumps cuts and bruises, and sore muscles), we've made our objective each day. Our bikes eiter have not had problems, or he has provided ways for us to get them fixed. It really has been great so far and I am really looking forward to what the next 56 days bring!


Blessings,
Mike


P.S. In case you haven't noteced the extra stuff on the right side, I've got links to some related websites that I would encourage you to check out for more information. I also have a slide show of pictures flipping through of more than what I've posted here.

Yesterday we stayed in Riverside, here area few pics from the evening.
There was a youth event in the next town over (Omak, WA). We had the chance to introduce the group, tell about why we're doing this ride and talk to a few people here and there more personally. We also got to listen to a live performance of the band Issacar (spelling?). They were pretty good. I had a chance to talk to one of the guys in the band. He has a great heart for ministering through music.
I also had the chance to make a few friends there in the town, between my host family that we stayed up talking and having a good time with (maybe a bit too late.... especially for getting up at 6)
I also had a chance to meet this wonderful young lady. She made quick friends with everybody on the team. Though, she was a bit shy, she was kind enough to allow me to get a picture with her.

A funny thing

A funny thing happened yesterday. We started our climb (relatively easy day) up to Loup Loup pass, but about an hour into the ride we stopped for a short break. We started moving again, but Bryan (our group leader) had some troubles, went to stop and toppled over, because he didn't get his foot out of the clips soon enough. woops. Well, in the process somewhere, his chain fell off the gears...

I was a little ways up at this point and went back down to see what was going on and if I could help. As I came up, I unclipped my right foot to stop, but as I came to a stop my bike decided to go left instead. Obviously I wasn't ready for that.... Not only did I fall over, and not only was it right next to Bryan, but I even went into the ditch on the side of the road.

I was later questioned about my diving experience, I told them it was great, just needed more water!

On our way up to Washington Pass (a couple days ago, now), we found enough snow for me to very easily stand my bike up right. It was quite the climb up there though, with some absolutely gorgeous views. Unfortunately, i hadn't yet perfected how to have my camera handy enough to pull out while I'm riding.... But, one of my three jersey's allows me that functionality.... so I'll work on som more pictures of the ride.
Here is a pictures of some birds we found at the Pass. The animals have been so incredibly trusting. They'll come right up to you. This evening in Republic we've gotten well within 10 feet of several deer, including a nice sized buck. They were just munching away on the grass in the front yard of one of the houses.
This is Stuart, Zach and me. Stuart is from Ireland, he's 62!! The elevation says 5477, but overall, with the ups and downs, we did a total of over 7,000 feet of climbing. I don't remember the exact figure... But it really was a tough day.

Well, I found internet access at a public park in Republic, WA. So, I'll take a few minutes to post a couple messages here and put up a few pictures, before I get eaten alive by mosquitoes...

Here's a pic of how we wish were riding across the US... Well, sortof. It would be nice not to have to work as hard as we are and sweat as much as we do, but it really is rewarding, the opportunity that it provides us to talk to all kinds of people.

The group that owns the motor bikes here is a Christian mortcycle group that is here in Republic for the weekend for a rally. They're mission organization goes to rallies all over the world to talk to the bikers about Christ. Some of their stories were amazing!

A quick post

We're about to head out to a youth event in Omak (spelling?), WA. We're staying in Riverside, WA tonight. It is such a beautiful place. Oddly enough, it really reminds me of the southwest US...

Anyways, the one thing I really wanted to say right now was to ask for prayers for my Achilles tendons. For some reason they both started to hurt pretty badly today. I've been icing them since I got here around 3:30 (it was a short day!). I'll try to post more later; maybe even some pictures.

In Twisp

Hello all. I'm in Twisp, WA this morning, on the other side of the Cascades from where I was yesterday in Marblemount, WA. we had a pretty greuling up hill climb to Rainy and Washington Passes, but every single person on the team made it and then was the pay off. About 18 miles of down hill where you could coast comfortably at 40 miles an hour. I got a few pictures that I'll try to post soon. I haven't had wireless to use the last couple days, and right now I'm borrowing the churches computer....

I've got a climb each day for today tomorrow and the day after, then we've got our day of rest on Sunday and a couple days of flat more or less thereafter, before we start the Rockies (which look to be easier than what we did yesterday!) I need to get going, it's already 8 in the morning here and we need to get on the road.

God bless, and thank you all for your prayers and support.