Should I Stay or Should I Go?

This is a question that many ask weighing the outcomes of each. What are the outcomes if I STAY: Safety, comfort, stability, security, status quo, boredom, control, expectations. When I think of a trip of this magnitude that I am about to embark on, I cannot help but think upon the COMFORT and SAFETY I will give up. But alas, as Christians, believers in Christ, we are not called to be safe. God himself is not safe, not tame, but He is good. I view adventure the same way. It will be a trek into an untamed wilderness and the safety zone behind me will linger there until I turn a corner into the unknown street. When Simon Peter walked on water as he so famously is known, I cannot help but focus on the other eleven disciples. Peter gets such a hard time for being the disciple who took his eyes off of Jesus, but guess what? He was the only man who stepped out of the comfort of the boat to follow his Lord. The others just sat there and thought he was crazy. Some will think I am crazy for cycling down the Pacific Coast and back up through the Sierra Nevadas during the hottest part of the year with a deadline lingering in front of me. But those folks are the guys and gals who will not even leave the boat. They won’t leave the house, the town, the state…and if they do, it will be by a motorized means. When I venture out my STABILITY will be altered, my SECURITY tampered with, the STATUS QUO out of whack. Becoming a vagabond as one wandering from village to city, BOREDOM will never take place. The CONTROL of my circumstances will be out of my hands. I cannot EXPECT what will happen to me or whom I will meet. Adventure awaits…

                                                                                                           

Should I stay or should I go?

What are the outcomes if I GO: Sacrifice, blessing, risk, hope, adventure, fear, change, faith. Next summer I will SACRIFICE my time that I could be spending with family and friends, watching movies, hanging out and enjoying life at home twiddling my thumbs. That is a sacrifice I am willing to make. If I do not sacrifice and take the plunge, I will be missing out on the BLESSINGS of a God who has called us to sacrifice our very selves. My friends, it is a blessing to go. It is most definitely a RISK to step out of the boat, but oh the joys that will befall you are boundless. Risky business is always wary when you don’t know what will happen next, but that is the joy…the joy of not knowing. Whom do you put your trust in? If it is someone or something other than God Almighty, then you do have something to worry about, but if He is for you, who can be against you? Step out and have a blast. When you do step out, you will be filled with HOPE, hope that you will return, hope that around the next corner will be an ice cream shop and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. As I have mentioned and will continue to mention, there will be no lack of ADVENTURE outside of the boat. Yes, challenges will happen, but where do we grow? Where are we stretched the most? Inside or outside of the boat? I’ll let you answer that one yourself. FEAR is one that gets me and I’m sure it gets you as well. There will be many dangers along this odyssey and it will not be without fear. But fear is actually good to have. Without fear, adventure will lose its meaning. But with the CHANGING tides, new experiences and opportunities will present themselves and who knows what will happen on the road to exploration. If I set my eyes on the One who has gotten me thus far and is taking me even farther, what do I have to worry? I put my FAITH in Him and His doings and not my own. That is the key I suppose. I long for this trip, but as the weeks turn into months and as the new year is right around the corner I think of all I need to do to get ready for Perfect Circles 2014…will this trip actually happen? Am I ready? It must happen, I’ve told so many people about it. I can’t let them down now…nor ever. I feel like Gollum at times with a contradicting conversation piercing my thoughts. Safety or Sacrifice? Comfort or Risk? Security or Hope? Boredom or Adventure? Control or Change? Expectations or Faith? Stay or Go?

Should I stay or should I go?

A Good Salemite Story

Last weekend as I was riding past Riverfront Park here in downtown Salem, I witnessed a horrific sight. I glimpsed an old cyclist crossing a railroad track as he was leaving the park. As it happens, he did not make it past the tracks. As I looked over I saw him and his bike do a nose dive into the pavement in front of him. At first I did not know what was happening. For a split second, my mind did a flip-flop and a double take. Did that really happen? It looked like slow motion. Regardless, I didn’t think twice as I pedaled on over to him forgetting my agenda. I laid my bike down and knelt down close to this man. He was in bad shape. His face was smashed against the cement with a puddle of blood to show for it. He wasn’t moving except for some shaking and groaning. I quick whipped out my cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. There really wasn’t anyone else around save for the passing cars that took no notice. As I was waiting for the dispatcher to pick up, a gentleman was walking towards me to see what the problem was. I called over to him and asked if he had a phone because mine for whatever reason was not getting through to Emergency. Of all the times for my phone to malfunction, this had to be it. The other man called and got through to the paramedics just as a man and his wife came running from their car parked in the park. I helped get the bike off of him. They asked the man his name and started to administer first aid that they got from their car. Luckily he was conscious and was able to sit up. The ambulance and fire came and took it the rest of the way. They took him away on a stretcher and also were kind enough to bring along his bike. Not a minute after they drove away a downpour of rain and hail started to happen.

I don’t know if this man was homeless, but he did have some homeless friends near the scene that were afraid and asking about him. The good news is I am sure the man will be okay. It did not look too serious, but one can never tell for sure. I was sure thankful that I was there when I was. Things happen for a purpose. At the exact moment of the accident, I was riding by. The cool thing was that the previous evening I was in a Bible study discussing the Parable of the Good Samaritan founding Luke chapter 10. I had the opportunity to practice what I studied. God is good, no? Every day there are blessings and opportunities if we know where to look…and sometimes, they come looking for us.

Will you join me in keeping your eyes pealed for opportunities to be a blessing in your community and beyond just as the Good Samaritan man had compassion on the Jewish man? Help is in short supply; let’s resupply the world.

To Fender or Not to Fender

I chose to fender.

An easy way to help...

As plans come together for my trip next summer, I am in the continual process of listing what other equipment items I need. Some of the bigger, expensive stuff I have been researching so I am sure I get the right one to suit my needs. Therefore, a practical way to help and support my trip is to donate some funds so I may purchase some of these items. I have included some of them below with an estimated cost.

Ortlieb Pannier Travel Set - $450.00
New Bike Computer - $100.00
Action Camera - $150.00-$200.00
Front Headlight & Rear Flasher - $100.00

Those are the big items that I would like to purchase. Again, donations toward the purchase of this equipment is an easy way to support my "Perfect Circles" trip next summer. Trust me when I say "Anything helps." If you can donate $100.00 great, if you can donate $1.00 also great!

My address: 1123 Orchard Ct. N. Apt. C. Keizer, OR 97303
My phone: 503-990-4909
My e-mail: superwoolym@hotmail.com

Call or write if you have any further questions or inquiries about my adventure. Thank you.

Perfect Circles is a Pacific Coast odyssey, the first in a series of bicycle trips to raise awareness and support for a Christian bicycle adventure ministry & camp...because I believe in getting kids outdoors to enjoy the beauty of Creation. I believe Jesus has called us to change lives using creative options in His Name. The reason for such a trip is to embark on an adventure with God in tow to serve and share with those I encounter, the love and compassion Christ has shown us.

"Though the way is full of perils, and the goal far out of sight, there is no road to which there is no end: do not despair." HAFEZ

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full." LUKE 14:23

Can I really complete 3,000 miles on my bike in 77 days?

Well, as October looms over me, Fall weather has set in. Rain has come and so has fog. Winter is around the next bend. But for right now, Fall is the season to take in. With the month of October comes the smell of pumpkins and apple cider. It also gets dramatically cooler and darker. In which case it becomes less and less fun to ride in. However, I have commuted to work and to church several days a week now and keep wondering how I will fare when the weather really turns for the worse. The goal here is not only to consistently ride the bike and to stay in shape, but also to save on gas money. At the rate I am going, I can probably save upwards of $50.00 a month. This is money well saved for my upcoming trip...in 8.5 months.

Wow...8.5 months. It seems like a long time when said aloud, but in reality, it is not. As I am constantly reminded of, it will indeed go by quicker than I think or want. September came and went...where did it go? Your guess is as good as mine. As time progresses, I get more and more excited and anxious about my upcoming trip. As I commute across town or become sore after a mini workout, I am confronted with reality: Can I really complete 3,000 miles on my bike in 77 days? That is a long way. But I am determined to complete it and I hope to be a better person for having done so. Adventure awaits...

As I think of all the things I must repair, purchase and plan in the coming months in order to fully be prepared for the big odyssey, I get overwhelmed, mainly because I am unfamiliar with some of this stuff. However, I have come to terms with the fact that this trip will happen no matter what...if I am ready or if I am not ready. That first week of the trip in Washington will be a relief because I will finally be on the road living and riding this dream and accomplishing this trek for this cause. I pray that everything will come together in due time. As I pore over maps and flip through my calendar and commute to work and errands, and as I purchase a new set of panniers and accessories for my bike, and as I contact places to stay and share my vision of a Christian adventure camp with...things will come together...come together...it's a beautiful thing when things come together like a puzzle. Right now, the puzzle pieces are strewn throughout my apartment, various stores, across states and within my own brain. Eventually I get to see the pieces come together slowly but surely. I ask for your support and prayer in this vast endeavor. Please join me, won't you?

Can I really complete 3,000 miles on my bike in 77 days?

What If...?

"We are not super-cyclists who put in hundreds

of miles a week on the bike. What it really

took was the realization that we could do it. I

think getting beyond all the ‘what ifs’ and just

getting on the bikes is all it takes. We finally

realized that all we really needed to do was

‘shut up and pedal’!"

-Dan, Alison, Sonia & Gus

www.shutupandpedal.org

What if I end up in a ditch? What if I get hungry or thirsty? What if I can't come to terms with such an endeavor? What if I am not ready to go in time? What if no one wants to travel with the likes of me? What if I'm not good enough? What if a storm bellows in? What if I get skin cancer? What if my camera gets stolen? What if I ride into a parked car? What if my tent leaks? What if my tent blows away? What if I get mugged? What if its too beautiful? What if things just don't work out? What if I'm not in shape to go? What if...indeed.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

"I think getting beyond all the 'what ifs' and just getting on the bike is all it takes." Some folks hesitate to straddle the saddle. Well, many folks do that anyway. They think they cannot complete a ride across town let alone across state. They go through all the 'what ifs' in their mind. What if this? What if that? All those 'what ifs' portray all the negative thoughts and ideas and circumstances that could possibly happen to them en route. I mean, after all that brain com-busting negativeness, who wouldn't be scared? What I think is interesting though is that all the 'what if' conversations are of the negative nature. No one says, "What if everything goes according to plan?" What if I enjoy myself? What if the weather is superb? What if I encounter an amazing view atop the next hill? You usually never hear positive "what if" statements. We are wired to expect the worse, not the best. What will happen if good things come our way? So be it. What if...something happens? So be it. What if the trip comes back to bite me in the rear? So be it. What if the trip is awesome? So be it. What if, what if, what if. Stuff happens, good and bad. The trip will be awesome in good weather and bad, through frustrations and stress, illness and health, soreness and strength, and when things go wrong, things will go on. When things go right, things will go on...and on...and on. What if? I don't know...that bridge will come and then I will cross it. Will you cross it? It's beckoning...it's calling...it's there.

Companions Wanted

Okay, here’s the deal: Next summer (flexible/tentative dates: June 15-August 30) I will bicycle down the Pacific Coast and up through the Sierra Nevada Mountains with my friend Jeff driving a support vehicle sharing the adventure with me and making sure I stay sane. The reasons for such a trip are first and foremost, adventure and freedom on the road. Other reasons include fundraising with the eventual goal of starting a Christian camp which may include the start of a bicycle adventure ministry which may also include backpacking and canoe trips. The fundraising also includes raising awareness and gaining support and spreading the word for my vision. In short, this trip down the Pacific Coast is the first in a possible series of bicycle trips to raise awareness and support for God’s future camp.

                                                  

That being said, I would love to have more company along for the ride. Like I said, I have a support guy coming along. In addition, I already have one other person interested in joining me for a leg or two along the Oregon Coast and may stay in a Yurt. I am in talks with another friend who also may join me for part of the trip. My guess is that most if not all of you will be available or will want to accompany me on the entire trip. However, as I lay out the rough route plan, consider joining me for a day, few days, or a week. It’s totally up to you. As soon as you commit, we can then talk about other logistics like getting to and from your starting and ending point.

Okay, here’s the “very rough” plan as I see it in early September: June 15, drive from Salem, OR to Port Angeles, WA. From there, we may or may not do a side trip into Olympic National Park. From Port Angeles, follow 101 to the coast; follow the coast down the coast until we cross over into Oregon. We will travel down the Oregon Coast making our way into the Redwood Coast, Northern California. As we travel through the Giant Redwoods, and the rest of California, crossing the Golden Gate, etc. there will be many points of interests, hikes, stops, etc. to see along the way as there will be in Oregon and Washington. Our goal is not to race, but stop when we want and to take our time, given the amount of time we are allotted. When we make it to Imperial Beach, CA, our journey will then take us back North, but this time through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I desire to visit such National Parks as Joshua Tree, Sequoia, King’s Canyon, Death Valley, and Yosemite making our way into the state of Nevada for a brief visit until we head back into Oregon past Crater Lake National Park and the Cascades ending the trip back in Salem, OR. Like I said, that is a very “rough” outline of the trek and may/will change as the departure time gets closer.

If you live in Washington, Oregon or California, or anywhere else I suppose and would like to join me on this fabulous adventure, please let me know and we will talk and deliberate and then ultimately have fun!!

See you out on the road.