On the other hand, I had very little to prove by biking back, other than that I was capable of doing it. I did want to visit the churches I had lined up along the way and also to complete the Katy Trail in Missouri from one end to the other, all 225 miles of it. I knew Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas would be lonely and probably very hot. The route would be on the Trans-Am Trail so I pretty much knew what the scenery, or the lack there of, would be like already since I’d seen it in other bikers journals.
So, the dilemma in my mind was, was it a success or a failure and how to be at peace about my decision. If I had to put a percentage to it I’d say of all the things I wanted to accomplish and of the personal goals I wanted to achieve, it was about 80% successful and 20% a failure. But, again, this is from my minds viewpoint.
I’ve had a lot of people tell me that it was a total success and that they were proud of me. I thank them for their kind words. Most people had no idea that I had wanted to also return home via the same form of transportation that I had gone out to Colorado on. So, they were shocked when they found out about the return. And 925 miles was a pretty good distance even though it was not the 2040 miles I had planned.
One problem I had was that I had not planned on going back home by any other way. So, it made it tough trying to find an inexpensive way to return. The U-Haul truck was far cheaper than a car yet not near as comfortable. Plus, most cars were not rented for a one way trip. But, it did the job well enough and the check in station was only about 15 miles from my home. Of the allotted time and miles allowed by U-Haul I was only over by 13 miles.
I’ve been asked a couple popular questions by people since I’ve been back. The most common question is, “Would you do it again?” I’d have to say not right away. Training for this trip took a full six months prior to leaving and I got little else done. I’d also have to make some changes if I did and that, pretty much, sums up the second question asked; “What would you do different next time?”
I am used to riding alone during training so I didn’t think it would be a big deal being alone on the trip. Looking back, there were times I wish I had someone to talk to, especially when I could not get a cell signal. I had my mp3 player but found little interest in listening to it. But, in training, I wasn’t normally riding 80+ miles back to back days either.
Also, having someone to help make route changes would have been nice. A second opinion may have proved helpful even though the locals gave me pretty good advice. Along with that, having someone to help carry the common things, like a stove or anything else you only need one of, would have helped. I think I pretty much was loaded to the max with what I thought I needed. There were a few things I knew I could have done without going out there but I felt I might need on the return leg.
The horizons, plains and hills went on and on. There always seemed to be one more hill on the horizon. Sometimes that was disheartening and other times a blessing. I’d often crest a hill and be able to see the next hill on the horizon about 4-5 miles away. I know what was required to reach the next hill because I had just did it 4-5 miles ago. It was a good and bad feeling all wrapped up in one, if that makes any sense.
But, I do believe that the trip as a whole was great. I got to meet a lot of interesting people, I passed out a lot of tracts, I saw some very beautiful country, I stayed in some secluded places, I made new friends, I helped raise money for a good cause and I got to see family I had not visited with in years.
I also got to see how much my 50 year old body could take. And there were times I think I over did it. I was constantly comparing my trip with the times that Dr. Ro had to walk to school 96 miles from his home in the jungle. He started doing that at age 10. I had no tigers, bears or pythons to deal with. I don’t recall even seeing one skunk along the way. The worse I had it was one live snake and a bunch of dogs. I had it pretty easy compared to his journey so when I was feeling down and physically drained, I thought about his walk. What did I have to complain about? God was good to both of us and He promised never to leave or forsake us. I could draw strength in that truth.
The vistas and mountains were spectacular. I had never been to Colorado and I know that I will definitely be going back. I want to go to Pike’s Peak. I want to go up to the very top of Mt. Evans. I want to visit the summits of some of the other Fourteener’s. I want to go trout fishing (I may have to just watch) with Pamela Tucker. I want to revisit the offices of BFTW when I have more time. There is a LOT more stuff that I now realize that I should have seen or been doing prior to turning 50.
I do believe I will be attempting to do some more bike tours in the future. They probably will not be as long distance or time wise and I will try and recruit people to go with me. It’s nice to be able to share the beauty of God’s creation with others of like mind.
This trip has also helped motivate me to try and do more for Christ locally where I live. Relationships mean everything and our relationship with Christ is the most important one we can have. It effects our eternity. Others need to know how they can know Christ and how they need Him. But, believing in God or knowing of Christ is not what will get us to Heaven. We have to TRUST in Him, repent and turn from our evil ways and make Christ Lord of our lives. There is a big difference. We must walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
Thank you for reading my blog throughout the year as I prepared and experienced my bicycle missions trip. I appreciate your support and prayers. Please email me with any questions or comments. I would enjoy talking with you.
In one of my next posts I’ll mention how my blog is going to take on a little different look and focus. I will be starting to prepare for the next horizon in my life. For now, I’ll leave you with a quote from one of Dr. Ro’s books back when he was a small boy preparing for his journey to school thru the jungle. Ro’s father, Chawnga, while preaching used the verse found in John 13:1 which Ro questioned him about. The later part of the verse says. “…having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the horizon (end).” Ro asked his father how far the horizon was. This was Chawnga’s reply.
“If you were to journey many weeks and come to the top of that mountain and look beyond, you would see another valley, and another mountain range in the distance. If you then journeyed on for many more days and weeks to the second mountain, you would be able to see a third. If you traveled to that you could still see further, for the horizon is never ending, my son. Like the horizon, there is no place in this world where the love of God has not touched or cannot reach.
When you go to school, whether you are on a mountaintop or in a deep valley, God will still be with you. It is impossible to travel beyond the scope of God’s love.”
