Waking up after a lovely rest day is hard to do. In just 24 hours we had grown accustomed to a more leisurely pace. But a new day awaited. We met up with our new biking benefactor, Russ Buschert, at approximately 7:30 a.m. and left Hyde Park Mennonite Church. I am told that tailwinds were favorable as the bikers left the city to continue our journey eastward. They were so favorable, in fact, that one could say they actually sailed along. By lunchtime we were in Mountain Home, only a biker’s hour away from our final destination… the Gingerich home. (more…)

After seven strenuous days of biking, camping, and conversation, we have come to a day of rest. Not that we have been in a state of unrest for the past week. In fact, my body and mind experience a sense of peace each time I get back on my bike, and I’m a bit antsy to begin biking on Tuesday. During our long days, we find rest under trees casting shade on the road; we rest to intentionally drink more water; we rest to allow the bikers behind to catch up and regroup; we rest to enjoy the scenery, to talk with locals, to refuel our bodies. (more…)

Our forty mile coast into Boise Sunday turned into a seven hour Buschert snack-tempered fiasco. First Timothy got light feet and pulled ahead of the group only to miss a turn, ride six extra miles down I-84 and loop around to take a rest and wait for the group 2 miles behind where they had stopped to wait for him. On his hiatus, Kendra tasted pavement after Nathan and Sarah forgot to communicate an upcoming hazard. Forty minutes later Tim found the group, we called in the search party and headed to Russ and Janet Buschert’s house – two generous hosts from Boise Mennonite who, besides offering us real live cycling guides through the safest streets of Boise, fed us marshmallows, ice cream, cherries, popsicles and other unique and mostly-nutritious energizers. (more…)

An acrostic update.

B eautiful Summits : We climbed over 5,277; 4,788; and 3,672 foot passes in the last two days, all the while discussing (more…)

It is 7 p.m. and still baking at our campsite. With the help of a cool breeze blowing across the lake, the evening sun quickly dries sweat and lake water from our clothes. Some of us are still wearing sunglasses to keep from squinting as we journal daily experiences. Bikes are lined up for routine chain lubing, dishes are being washed, and we feel good to be at our destination. Maybe we should take another dip in the lake to cool down as the evening fades. (more…)

It might be hard to define what’s “typical” only four days into the journey, but so far our days have been filled with a lot of intense activity: setting up/tearing down tents; preparing meals; grocery shopping; packing, unpacking, and repacking; repairing/maintaining the bikes; meeting at various churches along our route; and–not to forget the biggest, most physically demanding chunk of our day—biking ~80 miles over the span of about 9 hours (depending on our speed, the terrain, any mishaps that might occur, and the length of our breaks).

(more…)

As I sit here looking across a river as the sun sets, I have to think how lucky I am to be able to participate in such an amazing experience. In just three days I feel that I am already starting to gain a much greater insight into what it means to be in “movement”. (more…)

Tonight we will be camping in the general vicinity of Detroit, OR.  We will most likely not have cell phone or internet connection in the next few days.  However, our intention is to update the website whenever possible.

At 7:20 a.m, 9 bikers began the 90 mile stretch from Cape Lookout on the coast to Portland Mennonite Church. After 3.7 miles, Dave inaugurated the biking adventure with the first flat. Thankfully the support vehicles were not far behind. In no time, the biking resumed without a hitch. With three stops for food and rest, the biking bunch arrived at PMC at 5 p.m.. Throughout the day, the support crew bought food (twice), located water, began working on communications and located the church. After showering and cooking, the group met with young adults from the greater Portland area.A common thread from the lively discussion seemed to be the search for true connection, relevancy, and authenticity within the church. We look forward to reading continued thoughts from that discussion through the website.

With the help of Tim Showalter (I Timothy), Timothy Shenk (II Timothy), Drew Foderaro, Nathan Maust and Sarah Thompson, Josh Miller’s apartment became a hub for planning the upcoming trip. Teresa Lehman and Kendra Nissley joined the group on July 8. Denver Steiner arrived in Portland on the morning of July 9, just in time to watch the World Cup Final. And Jenny Hartwig, Dave Landis and Alicia Horst arrived that same afternoon, just in time for the group to pack up. Josh M. and Julie Nelson graciously escorted the group out to Cape Lookout. We were joined by Brent Kauffman, pastor of Lebanon Mennonite Church who intends to be with the group for the first two days of biking. After setting up camp, cooking dinner, and prepping the bikes, the group sat down for a brief orientation before crashing for the night.
.