95 mile ride to the cabin in the Poconos!!! August 16, 2013, Friday

Wow what a day and what a ride!!! I made it 95 miles and I was so elated I had to shed tears of joy!!
I was so thankful for an absolutely beautiful day - it was pretty much perfect!!!

I had found a route for bikes very last minute on MapQuest which thrilled me.  I didn't know that existed and I was a little paniced about the initial route I thought I was going on.  After searching the addresses, I printed the directions then made my cue sheet to fit on my bike.  MapQuest however doesn't list unpaved roads or detours so just like when driving, you never quite know what adventure you could get in.

I got started from my home in Lititz about 7:15 am with full determination to complete this ride no matter what.  You always worry a little bit about popping a tire and of course crazy drivers.  The ride went pretty smooth over all.  And as you can see by the picture above, I did get to see some wildlife. I saw deer, hawks, herons, a chipmunk, squirrels and the cute turtle above.  I hit some bad road on Rt. 61, a detour (which thanks to my phone compass I figured a way around it) and I had to walk my bike down an unpaved road which was very steep and covered with small stones.  The main challenge was actually close to the cabin after riding 82 miles, I turned left to see the Penn's Peak hill.  For those of you who are familiar with this hill, it's plain nasty and has a hard curve in it.  To make matters worse, they just tarred and cindered this lovely hill.  There was no way I was going to make it the whole way up, my tires would pretty much just spin.  I had to walk up the hill in my new bike shoes so the cinders were bad whether I was riding or walking.  That whole walk delayed my arrival also but I didn't care at that point.  I was almost there.

I stopped a few times to stretch, eat a little, and refresh my drinks at a convenience store.  I also had to empty my bladder twice and one time was in a Christmas tree field, that was funny. I arrived about 5:15 pm and couldn't wait to eat. My son Avery was driving my mini van there so we could drive home the next day. He had hit some traffic so he didn't get there until about 5:50 pm. It was a JOYOUS day for me.  This is the longest ride I have done so far and the accomplishment made me feel like I just won the gold medal!!!  

Thanks for following my blog and for your prayers!!  I ask for your prayers now more than ever, I apparently have tendonitis in my right knee which is causing problems so I'm praying for healing and doing everything the doctor and my trainer are telling me to do to help it heal.  Thru God's healing touch and his strength, we will prevail!!! 

Aug. 14 Ride to the Jigger Shop in Mt. Gretna

What a beautiful day and a beautiful ride!  It was exactly 16 miles up Rt. 501 and 322 to the Jigger Shop.  I thankfully left later than I expected in the morning because when I arrived at the Jigger Shop I found out they don't open for lunch until 12 noon and I got there at 11:40 am.  I was hungry and decided to wait.  I grabbed a quick bite enjoying the deck and the serene surroundings even though the breeze was a little cool sitting still.  I love that area and riding the rolling hills in the coolness of the trees is just to tranquil.

I wanted to ride between 40-50 miles so I headed down Rt. 322 towards Ephrata and went home on one of the back roads.  I covered 42 miles and felt good preparing for my longest ride on Friday.  Check back in to read about my big ride to the Poconos!!!

Monday, Aug. 12, 2013 Ride

Short one today at 26 miles but I have some big ones coming this week.  It was a beautiful day and if I would have had more time, I would have kept riding.  I started out in Lititz by going to the Chiropractor, then to the Susquehanna bank to make a deposit then through part of Manheim and around to Newport Road.  On my way home, I had to stop at Fulton Bank and take are of some things and I was tempted to ride my bike up to the drive-thru just for laughs but I had to go inside for what I needed.  It was a fun ride and I got some interesting looks walking into the banks:)

Last week I was swamped and didn't have time to really ride but I did do my weights and stretching so the 26 miles today was a good transition back. 

Riding in South Carolina on a Missions Trip

On July 20, 2013, Saturday our church youth group, including my two sons, left for South Carolina to participate in a missions work week run by an organization called REACH whose home office is in Colorado.  We stopped in Myrtle Beach to stay in a hotel to split up the 12 hr. drive.  We arrived in South Carolina around noon on Sunday and unloaded all our gear.  We stay in a school in the classrooms on our air mattresses to enjoy a full week of work helping to improve some homes in the area.  Some of the homes take quite a lot of work but it's well worth our effort.

Sunday the adults get paired up and find out their crews and the house we'll work on.  Then later that evening, all the kids find out their crews.  I was very blessed this year with a great group of kids who connected right from the start.  We were told we had 8 people total and my van only holds 7 so another crew was going to have to take one of the kids to and from the work site every day. I started thinking, I'm not going to have much time to ride and train this week because I did take my bike with me.  So - with the approval of the REACH staff, the other adult leader could drive my van and I would ride my bike to and from the site every day.  I was actually excited even though I knew I was going to be hot and tired during the week.  I was looking forward to it!

The ironic part on the first day - I looked at the picture of the house and the address and forgot to take my phone.  While riding trying to find the house, things just didn't seem right several times.  I stopped to asked 2 people for help and the crew passed me in the van and we thought we were on the right track at one point.  However, we found out the address that we were given didn't even exist.  As I was riding on the road that was listed I recognized the house but I kept riding to try and find my crew because I knew they were driving around on the same road.   I found my crew and we got to the house.  I figured out that REACH had transposed the house number by one number and the directions we were given were incorrect so if I hadn't ridden by on my bike and recognized the house from the picture, we wouldn't have found the house.  There's God for you!!  He knew how this needed to be worked out and it got accomplished!!

I ended up riding between 65-70 miles during the week and was thrilled!!  We had a great week and we all got a lot accomplished.  My sons made some great friends and really connected with their crews also.  We're actually talking about making plans for some trips.  It might be hard to fit in with Avery's senior year and Owen turning 16 too but we're going to try.

On our way home, we stopped in Richmond, VA on Saturday, July 27 to break up the 12 hour trip again.  I really needed the break, I was tired.  We returned home on Sunday the 28th at noon, safe and sound and then it was on to laundry and a nice long shower!!!

Headed to Stone Harbor, NJ

Typed on Monday, July 1, 2013

My sons, my father, and I headed out from Lititz, PA for the beach at Stone Harbor, NJ on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 7:45 am.  The weather was really nice and we plowed through so we could beat the traffic, stopping only to grab breakfast at Subway in Gap, PA.

On the way, after reaching Route 55, we pulled over and I started my bike ride.  My son Avery took over driving the rest of the way. I made really good time while finishing 45 miles into Stone Harbor and reaching the house where we stay.  The weather was a little humid and hot but I felt pretty good.

The weather isn't supposed to be the greatest this week so I'll see what riding I get in.  I did run 2 miles this afternoon in between downpours.

70 mile ride

Sunday, June 23, 2013
Wow, I did it!!!  70 Miles all over Lancaster County visiting the local Rec Centers on a 90 degree day.  I only had a few hours sleep so I was not sure I'd make it but I was determined.  I was exhausted when I got home and literally took a shower and passed out.  I did have some neck and back pain and actually the route took me right passed my house so I stopped in and did some stretching.  I also took some ibuprofen and sprayed some pain spray and that all helped. 

As soon as I got back to Hempfield Rec at 2 pm and put my bike in the van, it started raining a little.  I think that would have actually felt great while riding since it was so hot. 

I was proud of myself for finishing and I thank God for the strength he gave me to do so.  This helps give me a guide for my October ride and how I will feel.  75 miles a day for 6 days will require a lot of strength and determination!!!

42 Mile Ride

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

I rode to Myerstown, PA taking Rt. 501 then came back and went down Rt. 322.  I stopped at Udder Choice to grab a sandwich for lunch, my favorite, a turkey club.  It was a beautiful day out and I enjoyed the ride.  I even saw a deer in one of the fields off 501.  I came back on Woodcorner Rd. off 322 which is one of my normal routes.  Eventually going down Millway Rd. to Newport Rd. and home.  I ended up riding 42 miles which was my longest ride so far.  I felt good that I accomplished that level.