The team of Chatham cyclists

The team of Chatham cyclists
Paul & Teresa Hoekstra along with yours truly, Cynthia Aukema and 118 other registered cyclists are riding their bikes from Sea to Sea this summer to end the plight of poverty throughout the world. The Chatham community, family and business associatates have been extremely generous and we have surpassed our minimum goal of $30,000. To date (June 25) we have raised $39,105.00 Wow, this just blows me away. Again, thanks so much for all your support.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Day Three: Leavenworth to Ellensburg 93.8km Uphill 4002ft Downhill 3567ft

What a wonderful biking day.

Up and at em by 4:30 and on the bike just before 7am. One of the advantages of leaving early in the day is that we get a lot of our biking done before the temperature goes up. The temperature on my bike hit 94F.

US.2 was under construction so we had to wait till 15 cyclists or more had gathered and then a MTO truck would escort us to the Blewitt Cut off. I shared the ride with Pete, Andy, John Vandersteen and Barb Mellema. Our climb today was at 4% grade for just over 26 miles (sorry, can’t and don’t want to do the conversion into km). The climb was a lot easier then yesterday (6% grade ). When we reached Blewitt Pass, 4,021ft we blew right thru it.

Then it was coasting downhill most of the way to Ellensburg with only one other short climb (500ft). We did have some head wind but I usually place myself at the back of the line and enjoy the ride while taking advantage of the drafting, hey a girls gotta do, what a girls gotta do. On the downhill my speed reached 58.4km. Arrived in camp at noon (101 F) just when the Sea to Sea trucks were coming in. We decided to find an air conditioned lunch spot in Ellensburg and then off to the bike store for a few minor repairs to my bike. I had leaned it against another bike in the parking lot before we left to go the beach on Monday and it fell. Tomorrows ride will be sweet since my bike is now working like a finely tuned grandfather clock.

We did have some water works at around 3:45pm. To lay the ground work, when I was setting up my tent we noticed that the grass was still a tad wet and it hadn’t rained. So you can guess where this is going. Several cyclists had pitched their tents close to the school because it offered some prime shade... the sprinkler system went off and starting spraying all the tents. The day was saved when people placed buckets, and empty water bottles over the sprinkler heads and this took care of the problem. Now I’m wondering when the sprinkler head that is close to my tent will go off!

The horn just blew for supper so it’s time to sign off.
P.S. Tonight we will an opportunity to participate in a worship/prayer service organized by a fellow C2C’er. They do believe in keeping us busy.

Can’t wait till tomorrow, only 68km.
Till later, Cynthia

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on your accompishments so far Cynthia !! You are doing awesome ... not that I had any doubts !! It is great reading about your journeys daily. Enjoy your "easy" day today Cynthia. Praying for you everyday !!
**zootzoot**

Art said...

It's interesting to contrast the "great day" versus "hard day" people in their blogs. Glad you had a good day! I sure wish I was there!

You seemed to make amazing time today.

Blessings from London,
Art Mulder

Art said...

ps: what's with the miles thing. Did you reset your bike computer to show miles! Eeek!

Anonymous said...

"only" 68km...you've truly adjusted to being a cyclist

Anonymous said...

Hi Cynthia,
As I was typing up the church bulletin, I checked the common insert attachment and noticed the address for your blog. This is my first time responding on a blog - other than an on-line course. I'm quite excited. I'm so proud of you. Although I miss your presence near me in body pump, I'm excited to be following this amazing journey. Just think about the stories you can tell your grandchildren - when you were growing inside your mommy's tummy I was cycling the continent. Love your pictures. What an amazing photo album this will be. Get lots of rest. God's blessing and protection be upon you.
Love Cheryl Wolting

March Mega fundraising crop

March Mega fundraising crop
What do you get when you put together a roomful of scrapbooking vendors, and scrapbookers or card making enthustics? I call it a great way to raise $9,000! Thanks again to all the participants, vendors and volunteers that helped in the kitchen and everyone else who played a part in both of the scrapbooking weekends.