Sea to Sea Day 9, January 6, 2009

Managua to Gran Pacifica

I awoke today with a sense of uncontainable excitement but also a bittersweet feeling as we finish up this great journey.

We saddled our bikes this morning at 4:30 am in order to get through Managua before the busy traffic started. With our lights on and support vehicles ready to go we set out for our final day of biking. The teachers from NCA prepared an amazing breakfast for the bikers at the school. We were treated like royalty with fresh strawberries, yogurt, granola, fruit, Blueberry muffins and so much more. We all felt so full when we left be it all tasted sooooo good.

Today we were all smiles and really tried to relish every bit of of final ride together. We stopped and chatted at one of the rest stops for at least 45 min. Not because we needed a break but because we were having so much fun. People heading out to the beach stopped and chatted with us. As we continued on it was so encouraging to see so many people headed out to Gran Pacifica to celebrate with us.

We gathered together at the entrance to Gran Pacifica so we could all ride in together. It gave me goose bumps to see everyone all together grinning from ear to ear at all that we had lived and experienced together for the past 9 days. There was a huge reception for us at the beach as we dipped our front tires in the Pacific Ocean completing our journey. John led us in a word of thanks to and then we sang Alabare. Most of us knew the chorus pretty well but when it came to the verses we all kind of faded out. It was pretty funny. :0) I'll post a video soon.

Food and fellowship was shared with so many today. Thank you to all who helped us finish strong. What a joy it was to celebrate with you. A special thanks to our support crew who made each day possible with lots of water, gatorade and buns. We love you guys.

Dave, Kevin, April and Rachel

In a day and age where there aren't that many things undiscovered or undone. Electricity has been invented, man has been to the moon, peanut butter was made and is enjoyed the world over etc. We have had a unique opportunity to see a growing, developing, beautiful country from Sea to Sea for the first time in history from the seat of a bicycle. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. The most beautiful thing of all though that it was done with a heart to reach out and bless Nicaraguan who have suffered and lost more than we can imagine through Hurricane Felix.

Sea to Sea Day 8, January 5, 2009

Boaco to Managua

I can't believe this day has come. The days have passed so quickly. Today we made it to Managua. We are so close to the end that it seems unreal.

The closer we get to Managua the more traffic we saw on the road. One thing I love about being in Nicaragua is that it is a small country. When I'm out and about in Managua rarely do I go anywhere that I don't see someone I know. With each kilometer bringing us closer to Managua the terrain not only became more familiar but we also saw a few familiar faces as well. One family from the missionary community drove by and recognized us and honked and cheered us on. Another missionary doctor stopped and chatted with us for a while sharing that he was hoping to see us on his way out today.

Once again we traveled in 2 large groups trying to stay together. There was one long stretch of flat road and the front crew was cruising. The guys were so excited to be going so fast. I was in my highest gears and peddling as fast as I could and my bike could not stay up with them. My bike only has 5 gears where the average bike as 7-9 gears. Soon enough we came upon some hills that slowed us all down again and I had some great conversations with some of the other riders. About 20 kilometers outside of Managua we all gathered as one group as we headed out onto the super busy Pan American Highway. Our route had us on this highway for 5 kilometers before we took an old side rode that shot out out right on the outskirts of Managua. It was a breath-taking experience to look back and see the whole team cycling together. We've come so far and not any one of us without the help of the other. We've come this far as a TEAM.

When we arrived at the hotel for the day we were welcomed with big banners, flags and the AMC staff cheering us on. No one was expecting this so it was an amazing surprise. I felt a huge smile come over my face that didn't fade the rest of the day. Several local news stations came out later to interview us and to video some of us riding around the parking lot. They missed the first entrance so the tried to re-create it. :-)

Tonight we chowed down on yummy green salad and some tasty veggies. Gallo pinto is the meal of champions but I do love my veggies. Devotions tonight was a thoughtful reflection on Thankfulness followed by some hysterical laughter. John had us get into groups and write songs and do commercials for some of the products that became hits during the trip. Pro Max Energy bars were a hit on many levels. Bag Balm or Bum Butter as it was affectionately called was a real bum-saver. We took some video so when it is released I'll share it with you. If you really want to hear more though just ask and if I can stop laughing long enough to get the stories out I'll share them.

Now we are in the home stretch. 1 day remains.
Well it is off to bed. We start out at 4:30 am tomorrow so we better get our beauty rest.

Sea to Sea Day 7, January 4, 2009

Matiguas to Boaco

Today was our first full day on pavement. Wow we were able to cover a lot more ground in less time. Although I have to admit that I like the challenge of being on the rougher roads.

From Sea to Sea 2009

We started out in 3 groups today being more intentional about staying together on the busier highways. Thankfully most of the buses and trucks have been really respectful. We turned off in this cute little town called Muy Muy which translates as very, very. The names of the towns that we have been through have been so fun to read and even more fun to say. :-) Mulukukú, Wanawana, Saraway, Talasna, Kukalya just to name a few.

Luis

Anyway back to Muy Muy. While we pulled off on the side of the road and were filling up on water and a few snacks there was an elderly Nicaraguan gentelman who came and stood beside the group. I didn't notice him at first but Luis did. Luis who has a kind heart of service towards others without saying a word went and made this man a sandwich. As Luis handed him the sandwich he turned and walked away. It all happened so fast and I don't think many around the rest stop even noticed but Luis was sensitive to see the need of this man and cheerfully give. Luis was a part of the national cycling team a few years ago here and was so excited to be a part of this adventure. He and I would "race" each other to the rest stops and see who finished first at the end of the day. Being a bike mechanic he was also very willing to help anyone with an ailing bike. With a joyful smile and lots of excitement he stopped in to join a church's worship service as we were biking through today.

Some of the views today were absolutely amazing as we came down and into Boaco. I feel so rich to be able to take experience the nature and beauty of Nicaragua in this way. Though we went 76 kilometers today we rolled into Boaco around 2 in the afternoon. Our earliest finish yet. It was refreshing to be able to rest and relax a little in the afternoon sun and cool breeze. How appropriate for the Lord's day.

John led us in worship and then we shared the Lord's supper together. When in Nicaragua things always call for a little improvising. We used tortillas and gatorade. It was a special time of sharing. We ended 'church' with our theme song for the trip. My friends may you grow in grace. That song gets me every time!

Afterwards Carolina one of the gals who works with Acción Medica Cristiana shared with us about the project that the money we raised went to fund. The money was used to buy seed for a large number of families and communities along the Coco River. The project is to not only provide seed to replant but to help the people store seed from each crop for the upcoming planting season by storing it in a community seed bank. The communities have harvested thier first crop of rice and soon will harvest thier first crop of beans since the hurricane. AMC is also extending the project in order to teach the farmers how to plant some different types of crops that will help provide more variety of income for their families. The people in this region do not use much in terms of money but trade their rice or beans for oil, soap or other necessary items. It is so encouraging to hear how the money has already been invested and making a difference.

Sea to Sea Day 6, January 3, 2009

Mulukukú to Matiguas

Today we all collected at one of the hotels we were staying at for breakfast and then we started out on our way. Today we were told was going to be the hardest day with two big climbs but we were also going to lay our wheels on some paved roads for the first time since starting our ride.

We started out with lots of energy after a slower paced day the day before. We weren't more than 10 km down the road when we saw a trucks front end sticking up in the air where it shouldn't be.

From Sea to Sea 2009

As we got closer we asked the young man who was resting in a hammock hung underneath the truck what had happened. A few days earlier the ground had given way while the truck was passing another vehicle and it fell into a big hole. The truck had been loaded with sacks of rice that they had already pulled out to send on to Siuna. This young guy was left to watch over the truck until a larger truck could pull it out in a few days.

We traveled a little further on to a little village and Wim had stopped to adjust something on his bike and saw a scuffle unfold as a bus was pulling through town. There was a man waiting for the bus and as the assistant on the bus saw him he jumped off the bus and proceeded to punch him and yell at him. The assistant then got back on the bus and left the poor man on the side of the road without a ride to town. Wim said it was a strange sight to see. Well we hope that he eventually made it to town without any further problems.

There were several flat tires today and a couple of problems with people's chains. As we were making the big climb up out of Rio Blanco today Brian's chain broke. Nestor was super fast to jump off his bike and get it fixed. Both he and Brian made got right back on their bikes and pushed it through to the top beating most of the rest of us who had resorted to walking. They were amazing. A few of the others decided to grab on to a Pepsi truck that was slowly going up the hill. The guys on the truck were happy to give them a pull and even gave them a 3 liter bottle of Pepsi.

From Sea to Sea 2009

Here we are coming into Rio Blanco after one climb

As you can very well imagine we came across all kinds of animals along our route. Pigs, chickens, cows, horses, bulls and dogs. Today one of the riders had a close call with a dog. He toppled from his bike and had a light concussion and a sore shoulder. Thankfully after riding in the truck the remainder of the day and some good rest he was able to ride again the next day. What a trooper.

With all the uphill climbs we had there were some really nice downhill rides too. We climbed from 110 meters above sea level 340 by days end. On one of the downhills I clocked in at 56k an hour. What a difference it makes to ride on pavement. But oh don't go to fast you might hit a pothole and send yourself flailing through the air.

From Sea to Sea 2009

Today has been our longest day yet. We started at 7 am and some of the last riders were coming in as the sun was setting. Here is a pic of the beautiful sunset the support crew took as they followed the last group in. Dave joined up with use today as well. We are happy to see his smiling face and it is clear that he is glad to be with the team as well.

Tonight's devotion was about community. John compared community to the hub of a bicycle and how at first glance we don't see all the individual parts that go into making the wheel. Each one of us is a spoke connected to each other through the through the hub which is Jesus Christ. Working together, encouraging one another and positive attitudes go a long way in bringing all the pieces together to function well and properly. John shared this quote with the group and it really got me thinking. "Every rider has to trust every other rider not to do something stupid, unpredictable or dangerous. Every rider has to give up some portion of his or her autonomy for the collective safety of the bunch." Matt Seaton. As we head out tomorrow on busier roads we have to stick together as a team.

Sea to Sea Day 4, January 1, 2009

Rosita to Siuna

The new year started out with fresh faces and exciting energy. As we pulled out of the hotel and onto the road a group of 7 of us made a wrong turn. We made it 10 kilometers down the road before we realized we were headed towards Bonanza which was not on our map. We had to turn around and go back to our starting point. The support crew had quickly realized too that we were missing and had been looking for us. The look on Rachel's face when we finally caught up with her was one of relief. We all laughed about the blunder and tried to hurry to catch up to the rest of the group that was 2 hours ahead of us.

By the first checkpoint we had already clocked 50 K and I was starting to feel really tired. The devotional from the night before about failure kept going through my mind. Apart from the Lord we can do nothing. He is our strength! I began to pray and a song came to my mind. Here are a few lines of the song that carried me through that afternoon.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
the righteous run into it and they are saved

Honestly that was the only part of the song that I remembered but it pushed me through until we caught up with the rest of the group at the last check point of the day. As we arrived in Siuna the "lost sheep" as we had been dubbed had put in 96K. Aimee and I decided that we would ride around town until we reached 100k. It was the first time in my life that I had biked that far and I didn't know if I would get that close to 100 again so we went for it.

The little hotel where we stayed that night had never seen a group as big as us so they were moving beds and making all kinds of adjustments to accommodate us. The hallway to Mary, Aimee and my room was really narrow and it took the poor workers over an hour to try and get the bed through the hallway, past the doorway and into our room. They finally resorted to taking the bed apart in order to get it in. We were so thankful for their kind hospitality.

During dinner that night Jane Ann had gone back to her room to use the washroom and discovered a man had climbed in through the bathroom window was in their room. He was startled by her coming back and walked right out the door without stealing a thing. The police were called and the hotel tried to cover up the bathroom window so that no one else could get in. We saw the hand of God protecting not only us during this trip but also our stuff. He could have easily stolen lots but the Lord graciously kept that from happening.

C 2 C stories and more

From Sea to Sea

Here Aimee, Mary and I are at the Pacific Coast just after dipping our front tires in the ocean

While we officially finished the Sea to Sea Nicaragua Tour on Tuesday, January 6th I still feel like it is all so surreal. 24 bikers made it all the way from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast. As a testimony to God's grace, protection and just all around Greatness I will attempt to tell you about some of the things that transpired during our journey. Since we did not have internet access during the journey I am going to add a little to the blog in portions. I don't have many photos yet but as I get them I'll add them on too.

Day 1 December 29, 2008 Managua to Puerto Cabezas

While this didn't happen on day 1 it is part of what happened and what God did through us and many others before the bikers even mounted their saddles. Dave Stienstra and members the support crew were driving vehicles and supplies out to the Atlantic Coast on Sunday. On the way the front tire of Dave's motorcycle blew out and sent him sailing over his bike. Initially they thought he disloacated his shoulder. The group was 1/2 hour on a really bumpy road from medical care. That night Rachel, April and Chepe took great care of Dave as they brought him to the hospital in Siuna where they took x-rays and discovered he tore all 4 ligaments in his shoulder and would require surgery. Thankfully flights has just started back up to Managua from Siuna the week before so he returned to Managua for surgery.

As the bikers heard the news of Dave's accident and then later of Chepe's accident requiring stitches we gathered together to pray. We laid the trip once again at the feet of our Lord Jesus and asked for His protection, wisdom and strength.

Ok Now really on to day 1! We loaded a bus and headed to Managua airport for a flight to Puerto Cabezas. We all made it on one flight which they had originally told us it would be 3. As we jetted down the runway we said good-bye to the Pacific and to our luggage. None of our bags made it onto the flight. Some were sent later that afternoon and others didn't arrive until the next morning. Once we were at Port we went to the Verbo guesthouse where the bikes had been unloaded. With some important pieces to bikes still in the luggage back in Managua we had to think creatively in order to get the bikes rideable at 3 for their dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Nestor and Luis two Nicaraguan guys that are also bike mechanics came up to me and said, "Carey your bike has some serious problems and it is not safe to ride it." At first I didn't know what to think but we took a closer look and with further explanation I understood why. Luis had brought 2 bikes along on the trip in hope that he could sell the 2nd one along the way or that it could be used as an extra. The bike was the exact same make and model as mine. Luis offered to sell me the parts I needed from his 2nd bike. The guys had the new parts on and things lubed and ready to go in no time flat. I enjoyed watching them and learning from them too. I thank God for providing the parts I didn't even know I needed at the perfect time.

With bikes as assembled as they could be we jumped on them and headed to the Sea to give our tires a dip. It was a beautiful, balmy afternoon great for picture taking. Just a few short minutes after we were done with pics some storm clouds blew over and it started to rain. He even controls the weather. :-) Here is the only pic I have so far. It is of all the people who live in Nicaragua that were on the tour.

From Sea to Sea 2009

That evening a team member Kenneth Brown arranged for us to go to a English speaking Moravian Church service. It was an absolutely amazing time. We worshiped together in English. As the service was finishing we (the C 2 C team) sang this song:

My friends may you grow in grace
And in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior
My friends may you grow in grace
and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ
To God be the Glory
Now and forever
Now and foever Amen

As we sang this song my eyes filled with tears as I thought towards that glorious day in heaven when people from all over the world will worship together in one voice. It still gives me goose bumps to think about it.

From Sea to Sea 2009

At the end of the day we celebrated Aimee's Birthday! She was a good sport about all the singing and worked hard to give all of her cake away so she wouldn't have to eat much. :-)

Ok so you'll have to check in tomorrow to read about our first full day of biking. :-)

Survivor

Two years ago some friends and I hiked Concepción volcano. It is an active volcano located on an island in the large lake of Nicaragua. A few days before we hiked the volcano it apparanetly erupted. (small, but enough to call it an eruption) We unknowingly climbed it anyway. When we neared the top the guide told us we couldn't go any further. Well some of the group was already too far ahead and made it to the top and came down to tell us about it. Ever since then it has been a sore spot for me because I did not make it to the top.

However this last weekend a new group of friends set out to climb the volcano. Once again a few days before hand there were eruptions and gas clouds at the top. The guide told us that we would go as far as we could but that we probably wouldn't make it to the top. Well the weather was clear enough and the wind strong enough to blow the gases away and we made it to the top. Now I can officially check it of my list of volcanoes summited.