Day 6 Mackinaw City to Central Lake

Many hills today but "staying in the pocket"!

We ended our day yesterday in Mackinaw City with a great meal at Audies and then had to get some fudge of course! Had a very good nights sleep while hoping for better weather for in the morning. It was hard to be optimistic because the forecast was downright horrid! Many prayers went up for us and they were answered!!! The first thing that I heard was Jonna telling me that it was warmer than we expected (like 50 instead of 30) and the weatherman said, and I quote " we seem to be in some sort of pocket, it is warmer and dryer than expected this morning" That then, became our theme for today. We are in a pocket, GOD'S POCKET! When it would start to sprinkle we did not worry and someone would say "Hey, no worries we are in his pocket!"  That is where we stayed all day. Yes there was still 25 mph winds but other times we seemed to be in a lot of protected areas and did not feel it quite so much.  We did 81 miles today to the Blue Pelican Inn (near Torch Lake) and then went out for some pizza and a round of milkshakes. This group loves to fuel up and deservedly so.

ONE STEEP HILL!!!!!

The gps on Dr Dans bike tells us we climbed 2,450 feet of hills today. He just told me that is a very impressive number for a bike tour. Our quads would agree! I have to add I am happy to be able to write tonight as we had a near miss with a deer crossing today! Lets just say I was almost able to pet him when he ran in front of Ben and I.  Venison anyone? No thanks, we had an amazing meal at Classic Pizza next to our hotel and we would highly reccomend it if you are ever in Central Lake!

I could not be happier with the attitudes of our riders.  Our new riders have been a blessing to us all.  Every single one of us contributes in a special way. At any given point during this ride I have been impressed with the encouragement given to one another at any given point.  Our sag drivers tirelessly follow us to keep us safe and greet us with snacks and hot drinks when needed. Today in the cold I mentioned how grilled cheese and tomato soup sounded so good and WA LAH! Guess what we had for lunch!!!!!! This is an amazing group of people and we are blessed to be together as we tick off the miles. (471 miles down and ONLY 236 to go!)  God is good and he has been kind.

Now those are Calzones!
I see left overs for lunch tomorrow.

We skipped roadkill and line of the day yesterday so we will make up for it today!

Road Kill: Racoon Family, Possums & Porcupine
Live Action: Snakes and Deer

Beautiful spot on the trail. 

Overheard on the ride today...
"I could do a lot of damage in a Walgreens today"
"Oh nuts, this is a dead end" (that was in the motor home-not so easy to back out of a tiny space)
As we passed a group of tourists these two things were overheard "not a fat one in the bunch & look there's a Grandma in that group!

Team meeting and devotions at the end of the day. 

Thanks for all 
your support!!!

Day 5 Gulliver to Mackinaw City

It was a crisp 32 degrees early this morning when we started out! We were layered and bundled and looked more like skiers than cyclists!

Great picture at the halfway point!
350 miles  down 350 to go. 

We were pretty well prepared but our hands and feet
were taking the brunt of cold. We went 16 miles and had our first flat of the day but after a quick fix we made it to our first break stop at 25 miles in Epoufette where we downed some hot cider and of course, food.

Still smiling!

Grandma Betty rocking the big hill!!!

At lunch we worked hard trying to lift spirits and motivate everyone to finish the day.  We went another 25 before stopping for lunch then hit a rainstorm at about mile 40. We were right along the water and the wind and rain were cold.We made it up until the last 10 miles before the rain came again.  It was hard riding right along the lake and at times we were only going about 8 mph instead of our customary 14-15 mph. We finally made it to the mighty Mackinaw bridge as we were pelted with an icy rain. Yeah it was kind of tough but we were sooooo happy to make it back to the Lower Peninsula and stopped long enough to take a group picture with the bridge behind us.

Made it to the bridge! (It's in the background)

We then crossed over to the Mackinaw Port Authority and were sagged across the bridge. With only a couple miles to go for the day, the rain eased up, and we reached our destination for the day. We are settled in at a hotel in Mackinaw City and planning to roam around in town for a while tonight. If anything really newsworthy happens we will be back to report. Keep praying and thank you all for your ongoing encouragement and prayers.

Day 4 Escanaba to Gulliver

Dreamland Motel - Here we come! Riders in the background. 

Have you ever been to Gulliver? If not you should not make it a big goal to get there. The only thing there is the Dreamland Hotel that I saw. However after 75 miles in wind and cold on a bicycle we were glad it was there.  Our day started well and we made good time. Spirits were high with dry conditons and tho it was cold the sun was shining. We stopped for lunch at about 50 miles in Manistique and conditons had changed drastically. It was cold and windy but the scenery was beautiful. We took time for a photo shoot with the lighthouse behind us. Then we put our heads down for those last 25.  Those last 25 took us about as long as the first 50.  Needless to say the wind can make all the difference in the day.

Roadkill of the day: a body part we did not recognize
Best line of the day: "Is that the room that smells or is it just me"

Needless to say as always at the end of the day we laugh alot, eat alot, and just enjoy each others company.  There was a little "Dreamland Diner" that fed us well.  Holly led our devotions based on John 3:16. Without Jesus in your heart you got nothing!  So true, getting through each day in life is impossible without him.  We say that often on this trip. He always sees us through and we are so thankful!  Thanks for the prayers and keep them coming

Day 3 Green Bay to Escanaba

I cannot express how proud I am of our Riders tonight. We did our biggest day to date on any of the Ride4Life Trips to date.  It was 110 miles total,  60 of which were bitter cold with a steady rain.  As the day wore on the roads got wetter, the semi's passing  sprayed us harder, and there wasn't much left dry on us.  There were a lot of wet body parts when we finally pulled in this evening. Our ride time today was about 8 hours which gave us about 10 hours solid out in the cold today. Like I said, that was a remarkable show of courage and perservearance.  They rode for the cause today and they did it well.

Thank you to those who prayed us through, thank you for the encouragement via texts & facebook. Thank you to all the cars and trucks that gave us as much room as possible.  Thank you to the SAG team that stayed on our tail like a protective mother all day, thank you to our sag drivers meeting us on the road with shots of hot chocolate. Most of all thanks be to God for keeping us safe and loving us through this day.  Our God Reigns!

Addendum:
This is Carolyn, Executive Director and one of your resident "SAG" drivers. I just want to say "thank you" to the twelve amazing bicyclists who rode in horrific conditions today. Cold, rain, narrow shoulders, and loooooooong distances!All without complaint and incredible determination. I stand amazed and honored to be part of this team. TO all you family, friends and supporters...you have invested well! They are indeed riding for LIFE! If not, I am not sure they would have continued today. God is building character and showing Himself mighty among us! Keep praying, we have many miles to go and so much more to learn.

Day 2 Ludington to Green Bay

Group shot after breakfast  before leaving Maranatha. Thank you Gary & Diane, Shelley, Becky and Sarah!!

We woke to another gorgeous day in Ludington! The temps were a little warmer making our ride (1 1/2 miles) to board the SS Badger very enjoyable. They treated  us so well on the Ferry. We had an escort to board and she told us everything we needed to know. The crossing was very relaxing. Some played cards, others read, watched a movie, and some slept! We enjoyed breakfast and lunch on board. This group loves a good buffet!!!  We arrived in Manitwoc around 1:00 and we were on our way by 1:30. The weather was sunny and 80 with a great tailwind. We were right along the lakeshore leaving town and it was breathtaking! The first 10 miles flew by. Then we hit a heavy cross wind and some pretty good size hills. The group hung in and was strong. What a great bunch of people. I am amazed at the unification and encouragement you hear for each other on something like this. We wore our jerseys today and got asked alot of questions about what we are doing. People have been very friendly and encouraging. Some just think we are crazy. At times I would agree.

Loading onto the Badger - heading across the Lake!

We arrived at the hotel around 6:00 (7:00 Michigan Time) after about 65 miles. We made good time and we were happy to have got in before dark after such a late start. We had a taco dinner from our wonderful Sag Team (you rock Carolyn & Lyla!) We then had a time of sharing and devotions led by Pastor Doyle and he focused on Psalm 139. Take the time to read it when you have a chance and ask yourself what he asked us (and made us answer) "What is uniquely you and what are you being called for?" Everyone answered and I can tell you that we all sell ourselves short. Everyone in this group has brought something to this ride. They were called and they answered. So much has been revealed in two days but there is so much more to come.

That's one BIG hill!

Todays best Roadkill: snake
Todays Best Line: "Coming Back In" Theres a big story behind that line but we can't reveal that part yet.  Stay Tuned...

We finally remembered yesterdays best line. A little boy started riding along side us and said "Hey guys where we going?" Bonnie answered "Wisconsin, want to come?" He quickly rode in the opposite direction!

Your prayers are appreciated. Don't Stop!!! We have some sinus & allergies dragging some riders down and a few muscles that are begging for mercy. Weather is also on our minds as the forecast is calling for cooler temps and rain. We are calling on the chief weatherman who's totally in control and asking you to do the same.

Tomorrow will be our longest day of 110 miles. Might be a little tired to blog tomorrow night but hope to get some pictures up.  Thanks for all your love, support, and prayers. We feel every one!

Day 1 Maranatha to Ludington

73 MILES!

We had a great send off this morning! It was crisp and sunny as our friends and family (about 60!) waved goodbye. We had a great day on the road with alot of paved trails and smooth roads. The scenery was beautiful and the mood was light as we were finally on our way!

We had lunch in Hart in the midst of a spanish festival along the river.  After lunch we went about 10 miles and had our first flat tire (Emily) from a big rock. While Ben changed her flat she went back off in search of the culprit to keep as a souvenier.  Best roadkill today was a porcupine.  Eventually we will be telling you the best line of the day but right now we are to tired to recall it! Stay tuned.

We made it into camp around 4:30 so we had some time to relax.  Enjoyed a cookout put on by our awesome sag drivers, debriefing and some devotions and called it a night.  Ok, we have a few young ones along this year who are making some noise about going to House of  Flavors
yet tonight.  Might be a different trip than what I'm used to!

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. Don't quit we need it all the way!!!!!

Meet the 2012 Ride4Life Team!

BARB MEEKHOF

Barb has been a Board Member with LPC for 15 years.  She is married to Arlan and has 3 married children, 3 grandchildren and 1 on the way.  Barb became involved with the Ride4Life 2 years ago when she teased our former director about this event being “men only.”  He challenged her to go and she accepted, thinking the next ride was to Chicago but didn’t back down when she found out it was to Grapevine TX. She found the ride challenging and awesome and has wanted to go every year since. She rode with the team to Orlando in 2011 and is excited for the trip around the lake in 2012.

BONNIE GRUPPEN

Bonnie is a busy wife, mother, and aerobics instructor with a passion for ZUMBA. She teaches at Girlfriends Fit Club in Holland and we are so happy to have her along for her 2^nd year on the Ride4Life.  She has been a Client Advocate Volunteer at the Holland Center for 10 years. She rode to Orlando last year as part of the Ride4Life team and we are so happy she is ready to ride again this year!

JONNA LUBBERS

Jonna is new to Ride4Life this year. She says that “God is always pulling me into his ways and my confidence is in him! I love what LPC does in every way, they love people just like our creator does!” Jonna plans to take the fall training after the Ride4Life and looks forward to serving God at LPC. When asked about her family, Jonna will tell you that they are amazing! They enjoy boating, traveling, and a self-sustainable lifestyle. She has enjoyed biking for years so when asked if she was interested in this event she said” YES PLEASE!”

HOLLY ROELOFS

Holly is 22 years old. She is a hairstylist and supervisor at an events facility. She enjoys health, being outdoors and exercise. “I am super excited about this Ride4Life and all the opportunities and lives being impacted by this trip! I am going on this trip because it is an answer to prayer. I had prayed for a challenging opportunity that would be impacting for the kingdom of God. This was brought to my attention as a total God thing and I am so excited to see what this brings!”

VICTORIA GEURINK (no photo)

Victoria is a senior at Allendale High School and is missing the first week of school this year to go on the Ride4Life.  She is joining her 76 year old Grandma (Betty Geurink) on the ride and we are thrilled to have them both! Her parents are Steve & Linda and she has 3 siblings. She is very active in sports and plays Varsity Basketball and Track/Field at Allendale. We are so excited to have Vicky joining us this year!

EMILY KNOUSE

Emily has been volunteering at LPC as a Client Advocate all summer after taking the Spring Training. “I’ve never been much into playing sports or doing anything athletic but this sounded so challenging in a way I have never been before. I knew it was just something I had to do.  I loved the idea of raising money for a cause I had been working for all summer. Working with women in a crisis pregnancy is something I have fallen in love with being a part of and has made so many changes in me. Having not been on a bike in about 10 years made my first few weeks of training pretty tough but I stuck it out and am absolutely excited to be doing the Ride4Life!”

BETTY GEURINK 

Betty is joining us for her 2^nd ride. In 2010 she went on the ride to Grape Vine, Texas and is back for more! “I would like to ride to raise money to save the lives of little ones. That is why I ride since it is a big commitment for me at my age since I am 76 years old. This opportunity is special since my teenage granddaughter Victoria is also going on the ride this year.  It is great to see more of the country while riding and meeting new folks.”  Betty lives in Zeeland with her husband Glen. They have 4 married children, 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandbabies.

CECILIA DeCOOK

This is Cecilia, and I'm the "stoker" on the DeCook tandem.  I learned to love my bicycle starting when I was about 14--it was the wind-in-your-hair freedom thing that got me I guess.  I went to undergrad at Michigan State's big campus and loved to peddle to class for those four years.  It was after getting into the tandem scene with Dan that I got a vision and a taste for long distance biking and bike touring.  I love that I can enjoy myself riding then enjoy myself replacing the calories I burn later.

As a part of the medical community, I have seen how important the mission of a pregnancy center is to any town.  I was part of the governing board of the pregnancy center in Marquette when we lived there for a few years, and met many wonderful and dedicated people through this.  I'm glad to be an active part now of Holland's pregnancy center, and feel like I have a hand in encouraging young women and the people that they love to choose life.

DAN DeCOOK

Hi.  I'm Dan, the boy-member of the DeCook entry.  While I wouldn't want to give my age directly, in bike lingo, I'm a little more than halfway thru that great Century ride of life.  So riding all those Century miles (metric and otherwise) every day will just seem like a dress rehearsal for life.

I grew up with a Schwinn Stingray, going over ramps and jumps, so not your usual long distance ride.  My wife gave me a bike about 12 years ago, recognizing that I had quit running and needed something new to keep fit (she had also given me a treadmill--see a pattern?)  We did a lot of riding with kids in Burleys, and kids on tag-alongs.  Somewhere soon after, someone put a tandem in front of us, and our interest really took off.  It's fun to have your riding partner along every ride, so close that normal conversation is easy.  Love on a tandem is never having to wait at the top of a climb for the other person (or never having to ride the brakes on the way down to stay together, either.)  And because I get to steer (and shift, and brake) since I'm in front, it's almost like always having the TV remote :)

We have had personal contact with LPC for years, either thru patients we have shared or friends and family who have worked there, but we have never done a fundraiser for them.  It's an awkward new position to be in, as we have usually been the ones getting fundraiser letters from all my nephews and nieces doing mission trips.  But we really believe in the mission of LPC, and have seen personally its practical ministry matching its vision statement.  We are excited to be a part of this venture.

SHERRY HOPPEN

This is Sherry’s 3^rd year on the Ride4Life and she is our “Fearless Leader” this year.  “I have been with LPC as a volunteer or staff member for 8 years now and have a true passion for this ministry! I live in Zeeland with my husband Craig. We have 3 children and a son in law. They are so supportive of this Ride and encourage me every step of the way. While the ride is challenging I am continually amazed at the way God reveals himself every day whether we are training or on the actual ride. It has taught me to be aware of his presence in so many ways whether through the people we meet along the way or the places we see. I am grateful for the opportunity to do this ride it enables to do something I love and raise money for a cause I love.”

 BEN HYINK

After embarking on a purely self-motivated trans-continental bike trip in 2007, I decided to participate in this worthy cause after Barb Meekhof convinced me to ride. LPC is doing such a great work in west Michigan, I count it a privilege to help out this ministry in this way.

STEPHANIE VRUGGINK

Stephanie is also new to the Ride4Life Team and new to biking. She purchased her bike at the beginning of this summer and has prepared for the trip by completing a couple Century Rides as well as group rides whenever time allows. She is a hairstylist at Fusion in Allendale. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to give back to God and make an impact in other people’s lives.  Learning what an impact LPC has had in so many lives is continued motivation!”

 THE SUPPORT TEAM (aka. SAG DRIVERS & LUNCH LADIES)

DAVE & LYLA DOYLE

Dave and Lyla will help in the SAG vehicles for the second year. They are semi-retired pastors who have always been involved in ministry. They currently are serving as interim pastors in Volga, South Dakota but are willing to take time away to be part of the Ride4Life. 

“As the parents of the Executive Director of Lakeshore Pregnancy Center, we have a special interest in the of LPC. But besides that, we believe that human life is precious in the sight of God. We are then, honored to be part of this team in an effort to preserve the lives of the unborn.” Lyla has served as a Client Advocate Volunteer at LPC for over fours years and both are prayer partners for LPC. The ride team last year considered them the resident parents. They took care of everyone so well we just had to have them back again this year! “We count it a privilege to be part of this ministry. We love life and will do all we can to support what LPC does for life!”

CAROLYN DOYLE

I have the honor to serve as the Executive Director of LPC and support those joining us on the Ride4Life this year. I really enjoy being part of the team in this way. The riders train very hard so while on the ride we want to make sure they are safe and well fed.

This ride has become a wonderful experience but more than that it is a great method to raise awareness for life! At LPC we love people and want them to live life fully, as God intended. Thank you for your interest, support and love for life. 

Thank you for taking the time to get to know the team. Please pray for and follow us here on the blog daily!