I'm in Boston now! It ended up taking me 3 days from Franklin, Maine to get here. Along the way I met some more great people and shared with them why an Alaskan boy is cycling from Montreal to Orlando at such a hot time of the year. For the first time this trip, I knocked on someone's door to ask about putting a tent in their backyard. I had arrived in Bath, Maine around 9:00pm. I had thought I could tent behind a church there but downtown Bath was much more of a city than I thought and the church had no grass anywhere since it was butted up right against the surrounding buildings. Tired and not in the mood to wander around the city in the dark looking for a place to sleep, I went to the first house I saw with lights still on and knocked on the door. Fortunately the couple who answered was very kind. They talked to me for a while in the doorway asking me about my trip. Finally I put up my tent in their backyard and went to sleep.
The next day I planned to bike to Hampton Beach but came up short about 20 miles. I was tired and felt like stopping for the day so I pulled into a nearby church planning to tent again behind the building. To my surprise there were actually people in the church this time. I went in to find an AA meeting about to begin. After talking with some of the people there, I was invited in to eat some snacks and sit in on the meeting as a guest if I wanted. I did. The way my night played out was not at all how I had imagined when I first biked into that parking lot. Instead of setting up my tent and going to sleep alone, I spent the night listening to people talk about their lives, their struggles, their successes. I met some wonderful people there and made new friends. Afterwards I had multiple invitations to leave my tent packed and sleep in their homes. I say yes to M's invite. He was very interested in my trip and my cause. I was encouraged by his interest and support. After staying up a while chatting I took a shower and went to bed once again amazed by how my day ended in such an unexpected way. The following day I headed out for Boston bright and early.
I was awake at 4:15 and decided to just hit the road nice and early. The morning was nice, but the day turned out to be one of the hottest yet. At 3pm as I was rolling into Boston it was 95F and humid. Slightly lost in Boston, I tried to cross a bridge that apparently is not open to bikes. Just about every car honked at me and an ambulance told me over the loudspeaker to get off the bridge. Well it was really busy traffic and only one way so I wasn't about to turn around and go back. I continued on desperately looking for the other side. Halfway across the bridge (which seemed ridiculously long at the time) there was a toll booth and an ambulance waiting for me. They frantically waved me down (which I thought was a bit unnecessary because it was obvious that they were waiting for me). The guy looked at me and said "What are you doing? Are you crazy?" I smiled and said, "I guess". He helped me off the bridge and listened as I told him what I was doing and where I was going. "You really are crazy" he said when he heard I was trying to get to Florida at such a hot time of year. We both laughed about the whole bridge event and he pointed me in the direction I was trying to go. Hot, tired, and thirsty I got to my friends A's house. I've been here a day now and plan to head out in the morning. It has been so nice here visiting A and getting to know her roommates. They have all been very kind to let me stay here and sleep on their couch. My next stop is Connecticut and then hopefully New York City by Monday afternoon.
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| Biking across Deer Island, New Brunswick |
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| Visiting President Roosevelts cottage on Campobello (legacy of friendship) |
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| Riding the Sunrise trail to Franklin, Maine. Super hot day and 77 miles of dirt road :/ |
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| Sunrise Trail |
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| Looking out over Bar Harbor, Maine |
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| Following the coastal route towards Hampton Beach, New Hampshire |
I made it back to the US! I'm in Maine now. At my last camp spot I changed my route once again and entered Maine in Lubec. There I met another great couple D and J who let me tent in their back yard. We had a nice time chatting over dinner. In the morning I took off for Franklin where I am taking my rest day at M's house. M has been very hospitable. Last night we had a great sushi dinner which was perfect after a good days ride. It's nice to have a rest from biking and enjoy some good company. My next big stop will be in Boston. I could possibly make it there in 2 days if I put in 2 long days. We'll see what the weather is like and how the day goes tomorrow. Yesterday was the hottest day I've had so far! I think it was in the low 90s. The heat wasn't too bad actually, but my biggest concern is getting sunburned. I'm getting some pretty extreme tan lines already :)
My bike is working really well so far. My chain broke just a couple days into my ride but I fixed it up and haven't had any problems since. I can definitely tell that my rear tire is wearing quickly. The tread wears fast with so many hours on the road and so much weight.
I watched some of the Tour de France today. It's really impressive to see those guys ride! The leader in todays race was averaging 30-35 mph! That is super fast. I average about 12 mph right now with my 100lbs bike :)
My bike is working really well so far. My chain broke just a couple days into my ride but I fixed it up and haven't had any problems since. I can definitely tell that my rear tire is wearing quickly. The tread wears fast with so many hours on the road and so much weight.
I watched some of the Tour de France today. It's really impressive to see those guys ride! The leader in todays race was averaging 30-35 mph! That is super fast. I average about 12 mph right now with my 100lbs bike :)
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| Sand sculptures on the beach. Anne-Marie and Dennis made me into a bike. |
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| Picking strawberries on PEI. This cute dog kept trying to eat out of my basket. |
July 7, 2012
Time seems to fly by when you spend all day pedaling. I had no idea it's been about a week since my last blog.
First of all, I want to thank all of you who have been praying about my knee. The pain has gone away and it is feeling much better! Also, I think my bike seat has finally been broken in! It's been feeling much more comfortable these last few days. Note to self...when using a leather seat make sure to break it in before you head out on a long ride :)
I am currently still in New Brunswick, but just outside of Maine. I should be there easily by tomorrow. I have really enjoyed my time in New Brunswick and have found the people here to be really friendly and hospitable. Passing through Bathurst, I met a wonderful couple who took me into their home and gave me a bed and food. Thank you R and R!
I spent a couple days on Prince Edward Island visiting some good friends. It is a beautiful island and the people are very friendly there. From PEI, I made a route change and decided to bike down to Halifax and catch a ferry from Digby back to Saint John, New Brunswick. The trip would take me about twice as long as my original route. It took me 2 days to bike from PEI to Halifax and on the way I put in my longest day of this trip...120 miles. It was a great day for biking but I was definitely pretty tired when I rolled into town. Lukily I had made a last minute attempt at finding a place to sleep by way of couchsurfing.com and could not have asked for a better place to stay. L got my last minute plea and responded right away. He made me a wonderful dinner and breakfast. Although my visit with L and his partner C was short, I feel like we became fast friends and I look forward to seeing them again somewhere down the road.
After Halifax it took 2 days to get to Digby where again I was blessed by a generous stranger. I was in town looking for a public shower when I bumped into sweet A. She almost immediatley asked where I was staying that night and when I told her I didn't know she invited me to stay at her home. Once again, I was grateful for her hospitality and home cooked food. Even her dog was friendly and slept next to me all night :)
Tonight I'm tenting again. It's a nice spot on the beach. Just before coming out here to set up camp I had 2 tasty cheeseburgers and met a couple of very friendly people at a little burger/fish joint by the beach. Stopping here for the night was not really in my plans but I've been learning God often has a different plan than my own. He has put me in contact with some wonderful people so far. I trust He will continue to do so as I head back into the United States and make my way down to Florida. Thanks again everyone for your prayers, support and encouragement!
Time seems to fly by when you spend all day pedaling. I had no idea it's been about a week since my last blog.
First of all, I want to thank all of you who have been praying about my knee. The pain has gone away and it is feeling much better! Also, I think my bike seat has finally been broken in! It's been feeling much more comfortable these last few days. Note to self...when using a leather seat make sure to break it in before you head out on a long ride :)
I am currently still in New Brunswick, but just outside of Maine. I should be there easily by tomorrow. I have really enjoyed my time in New Brunswick and have found the people here to be really friendly and hospitable. Passing through Bathurst, I met a wonderful couple who took me into their home and gave me a bed and food. Thank you R and R!
I spent a couple days on Prince Edward Island visiting some good friends. It is a beautiful island and the people are very friendly there. From PEI, I made a route change and decided to bike down to Halifax and catch a ferry from Digby back to Saint John, New Brunswick. The trip would take me about twice as long as my original route. It took me 2 days to bike from PEI to Halifax and on the way I put in my longest day of this trip...120 miles. It was a great day for biking but I was definitely pretty tired when I rolled into town. Lukily I had made a last minute attempt at finding a place to sleep by way of couchsurfing.com and could not have asked for a better place to stay. L got my last minute plea and responded right away. He made me a wonderful dinner and breakfast. Although my visit with L and his partner C was short, I feel like we became fast friends and I look forward to seeing them again somewhere down the road.
After Halifax it took 2 days to get to Digby where again I was blessed by a generous stranger. I was in town looking for a public shower when I bumped into sweet A. She almost immediatley asked where I was staying that night and when I told her I didn't know she invited me to stay at her home. Once again, I was grateful for her hospitality and home cooked food. Even her dog was friendly and slept next to me all night :)
Tonight I'm tenting again. It's a nice spot on the beach. Just before coming out here to set up camp I had 2 tasty cheeseburgers and met a couple of very friendly people at a little burger/fish joint by the beach. Stopping here for the night was not really in my plans but I've been learning God often has a different plan than my own. He has put me in contact with some wonderful people so far. I trust He will continue to do so as I head back into the United States and make my way down to Florida. Thanks again everyone for your prayers, support and encouragement!
Independence Day
For all my fellow Americans reading my blog... Happy Fourth of July!! I`m writing this a day late, but as you know, life on the road makes computer access a little intermittent. I hope everyone had a nice time celebrating America`s independence yesterday. I enjoyed another day on the road. It was a beautiful day cycling from Richibucto, New Brunswick to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. I had a good nights sleep and a light breeze to my back.
In light of this special day, I spent a good portion of the day thinking about what it means to live a life of freedom. There are people all over the world and right here in the United States who are not living lives of independence. A large contributor to this is the human trafficking industry happening at large worldwide. It`s extremely sad to think about people, often kids, being exploited and put in unimaginable circumstances so someone else can make a profit. The first couple days of my bike trip were tough and I'm sure they will not be the last. One particular day cycling in the wet and cold and enduring pain in my knees, I had doubts of whether this whole trip was such a great idea. I had to keep reminding myself of the real reason behind the Justice Ride. While Americans celebrate our Independence Day and I see new places and experience new things from the seat of my bicycle, we need to remember those in our not-so-large-world who are not as fortunate. Personally, my heart goes out to the women and children who are being sexually exploited and trafficked. I believe this is one of the greatest injustices against humankind. Whatever difficulties I face during this cycling trip, I still have so much to be thankful for. I have friends and family who are fully supporting me and encouraging me along the way. I also experience the kindness of strangers who have opened their homes to me and offered words of encouragement and wishes for my safety and health as I continue on. I`m asking now that as you read this blog and continue to support and encourage me, please do not forget about the people I am cycling for. This trip is a team effort. I am merely supplying some leg power. There is so much yet to be done to show those around the world that we are aware of their sufferings and we are willing to help.
"If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large."
-William Wilberforce
In light of this special day, I spent a good portion of the day thinking about what it means to live a life of freedom. There are people all over the world and right here in the United States who are not living lives of independence. A large contributor to this is the human trafficking industry happening at large worldwide. It`s extremely sad to think about people, often kids, being exploited and put in unimaginable circumstances so someone else can make a profit. The first couple days of my bike trip were tough and I'm sure they will not be the last. One particular day cycling in the wet and cold and enduring pain in my knees, I had doubts of whether this whole trip was such a great idea. I had to keep reminding myself of the real reason behind the Justice Ride. While Americans celebrate our Independence Day and I see new places and experience new things from the seat of my bicycle, we need to remember those in our not-so-large-world who are not as fortunate. Personally, my heart goes out to the women and children who are being sexually exploited and trafficked. I believe this is one of the greatest injustices against humankind. Whatever difficulties I face during this cycling trip, I still have so much to be thankful for. I have friends and family who are fully supporting me and encouraging me along the way. I also experience the kindness of strangers who have opened their homes to me and offered words of encouragement and wishes for my safety and health as I continue on. I`m asking now that as you read this blog and continue to support and encourage me, please do not forget about the people I am cycling for. This trip is a team effort. I am merely supplying some leg power. There is so much yet to be done to show those around the world that we are aware of their sufferings and we are willing to help.
"If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large."
-William Wilberforce
Some kids playing on the dock on my way to Bathurst.
View of Bathurst, New Brunswick.
Crossing Centennial bridge in Miramichi, New Brunswick.
Camp spot in Richibucto, New Brunswick.
Fighting off giant lobsters in Shediac, New Brunswick.
Opened in 1997, the Confederation bridge spans the 8 miles from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island.
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