Monday GR to Sleepy Hollow

 Monday Monday,can't touch that day.

What nice morning. Got up in the dorm. Not too much to pack up. A quick bite  and a lunch made. Off we went for a morning prayer and send off. 

Everyone's ok'd bright eyed and bushy tailed. Said goodbye to Jerry. 

Said hello too. It was a good recovery weekend after a long physical week. The knee felt good today. Lots of new riders. 

We came across a covered bridge in Ada. 

Today was a nice ride. A little cool at first. We thought the sun would come out but that didn't happen until just before the rain this afternoon. I rode with Peter, Harold and Amanda today. 

Carrie was at the third sag stop. She had pretzels and hummus dip. Yumm. The road was a nice rolling hills type. I can't believe I just used the words nice and hill in the same sentence. The reason I think I did was because you could actually get momentum from the down to go a little ways up. I saw an old car for sale. 

Looks like a bit of a fixer upper. 

After 106 km we came to our destination.  Hogwarts, I mean sleepy hollow. Well the route markings were awesome today. 

My little friend Mark , marked the route with blood sweat and tears. He did actually use all three. He says hi mom. 

Karl got some wood and Carrie picked up marshmallows, and sausages. So we had a little snack before supper. 

Somebody just couldn't stay awake though. 

Isn't she a doll when she sleeps. Karen rides way too fast. 

It started to rain during supper so people found a place to eat where ever they could. The service here is sketchy so this might not go out tonight. See you all tommorow  Len.  

Sunday in GR

Well good morning. We knew we could sleep in so at 830 when we checked the clock it was like were late. We  met with Jerry yesterday so this morning we went to his church. The church started at 930. We're late. Not really. We made it on time. After church we had lunch together. It was a nice relaxing time. We felt very welcome and at home. 

This afternoon we met just outside the arena and walked our bikes in. 

We walked around in a big circle and then left our bikes 

We sat down in the section beside the stage. 

This was us in the seats. 

Too much fun. 

Here's Jerry and the gang. Good times. 

Here's a couple more pics see if you can find Waldo. 

See you all tommorow. Len 

Holland to Grand Rapids.

Today we got up after six but ill have to admit that we were awake much earlier. It's amazing on a day when you don't gave to rush or leave early, people can't help themselves. I'm guessing they didn't realize that slamming doors at 5am would wake people up. 

We had a pancake breakfast served for us. Notice how awake I look. It was a 40 mile day and lunch was served at 11 in Calvin CRC. 

Well off Harold , Peter and I went. 

We went through the town of vriesland.

I'm assuming people must be stubborn there. It's just a hunch I have. :) 

The next thing I knew I was sucked into the vortex called vanderawsome land. I think that should be a theme park some ware.  This large group of people were holding up signs and cheering for Harold and we were only 10 miles into the ride. I was so amazed by it all I didn't even take a pic. Sorry. Off we went again. 

Through fields on the way to the first sag stop. Well we didn't make to the next stop because we were intercepted by the vanderawsome  crowd. That was pretty cool for Harold.

Peter andI pigged out on some cookies while Harold talked to everyone.

    At the sag we found out we had only half an hour before lunch was being served. Time to put the hammer down and get to cycling. 

Before we did that though, their was a tractor show.  Actually it was tommorow but they already had a few set out. I couldn't just drive by without a couple of pics. 

We made it to the church in record time. Well it was about 1130. I met my friend Jerry at the church. That was neat. 

All the riders gathered at the church to ride together to Calvin. Now I have to say that riding in a big group makes me nervous. So I figured the best way to fix that would be to ride at the front or the back. 

This was my view to the left. ( Harold)

This was my view to the front. Take a guess what my view to the back looked like. No peeking.  

Yup you guessed it I was at the front. It was fun. 

Karl and Brandon behind us. 

I might have rode out front to get this pic. 

Tommorow is a celebration. Ill try to remember to get pics. See you all later   Len

Benton harbour to Hope Collage

So last night we stayed in the rough part of town. The locals were wondering who was crazy enough to pitch a tent in , the hood. We did. I woke up this morning to the sound of rain on my tent. It was just getting light out. I looked out if my tent window and saw dark clouds approaching. I got up and we packed up lickety  split. 

After we did we packed our lunch and snacks. I was on sweep this morning so Harold and Peter had to wait for me. It started to pour rain. Funny it actually made the cleanup faster. After a break in the rain we headed out. 

It started to pour shortly after and rained for most of the ride. Harold is wringing out his gloves at the first sag stop. 

They had donuts as soon as we came in. 

They also had coffee and cookies, blueberries and all sorts of goodies. It was hard to get back on the bikes after that. It was cold and my legs felt like lead. 

We kept our spirits high despite the rain. 

We went right along Lake Michigan. I'm sure if it wasn't pouring rain it would have been even better. 

We took a little detour and crossed the river on the chain ferry. It was a hand crank ferry.  

A chain crossed the river and it picked it up. You had to crank the handle and it brought you across. 

It was a fun distraction to a wet day. 

It just started to dry up in the last 10 miles. I saw a nice pickup on they way. We made good time despite the weather and my knee. I rode most of the day pushing with my right leg. All the while trying not to wreck my good leg. 

Harold and Peter pulled me into holland. By then it was dry. Another longer day then expected. Well look who showed up. 

John and grace, Carries sister showed up today. We had a nice time touring around town.

We went and saw a windmill. We also saw some Dutch wooden shoe dance. 

Let me tell you that was exciting. 

We went out for dinner. It was a nice piece of home. It was a great distraction. Thanks to them both.  Of to bed. Heading to Jerusalem tommorow Len 

 

Lansing Illinois to Benton Harbour MI

After sleeping indoors last night we woke up to find out it rained last night. I feel like we're the Israelites taking our cloud with us across the country. The tour de rain strikes again. 

We woke up a little late 605. But the best part was no tent to pack up. It gets better. They made us breakfast, scrambled eggs,pancakes, sausage,it was awesome. Best part was everyone had a sit down breakfast and enjoyed fellowship. Even the real earlies stuck around. 

It was a day of almost 90 miles again.  We crossed from Illinois to Indiana. 

We rode some nice trails today. 

Before we knew it we were at Lake Michigan. It was nice to see the Great Lakes again. Around the corner and we ran into a sag. 

The best sag ever. 

I got some ice for my knee. Alright I guess I over did it yesterday. I had to take some ibuprofen witch helped. We continued along the lakeshore. 

I had a great group today. Harold, Barb, and Jane pulled me along today. It was great. 

We went through little towns with marinas and boats. It was a very scenic ride. 

Into Michigan we went. We had to climb over a railway track and cross a highway to get this picture. Jane and I were the only ones who dared to get to the sign. Either that or crazy enough to get there. 

We stopped for coffee and hot chocolate at a cafe in Michigan. 

The last few miles were tough. Thanks again to my team for pulling me in.  

See you all tommorow Len 

I've got to go I'm on sweep tonight.