touring 101: the setup

part of a great day for every tourer will always be a successful & efficient "setup". you might be tired, sweaty, hungry or chilled to the bone, but trust me, this is one area of cross-continental cycling you don't want to slack in. 

step 01: bike prop

(required, when available) location, in order of preference: picnic table, park bench, pole, wall, tree or rock. note: not available while stealthing. 

step 02: shoes/socks off

(required) tip: switch to flip-flops based on terrain. 

step 03: panniers off

(required) your bike needs rest just as much as you do. take care of it. 

step 04: tune up & lock up

(required) as mentioned previously, bike care, maintenance and protection is crucial. won't bother you with the details, but there's lots to check on your bike each night and morning. as to locking up - if someone were to run off with your ride during the night, it's almost always a pretty long walk to the next bike shop (especially with all those panniers). 

step 05: tarp

(optional, dependent on weather) tip: secure well, not only to avoid wet bikes in the morning, but also any tarp rustling from late night winds. a quiet tarp is a happy tarp. 

step 06: tent

(required, rain fly optional based on climate/weather) location, in order of preference: concrete under cover, concrete, grass, gravel or dirt. 

step 07: sleep mat

(required) inflate and place in tent

step 08: sleep bag/sheet

(required) unroll and place in tent

step 09: pillow

(required) inflate and place in tent

step 10: panniers in tent

(required) tip: half-filled panniers may be stacked inside each other to conserve space. 

step 11: clothesline

(optional, dependent on climate/weather) tip: works great in the West, but be wary of evening/morning dew in the Midwest & East. 

step 12: shower

(required, where available) don't be fussy. no matter how dirty the floor & walls are, or how cold the water is, take a shower. not only will you sleep better that night, but you never know when your next one might be. 

step 13: food

(required) menu: rice & ketchup, tuna & tortilla, peanut butter & bananas/apples/carrots/tortillas/anything/nothing or oatmeal & brown sugar. 

step 14: blog

(optional, may also happen the next morning) i.e. "don't worry mom & dad, we're still alive."

step 15: devos

(required) currently in the New Testament: Romans, I Corinthians, Philippians. 

and then to bed! and then to bed! 

until next time,

may God hold you in the hollow of his hand

josh & mark

the lifecycle team

the Ozarks

straight into the Ozarks we charged! up and over the hills, each one easier than the last. believe it or not, It took until mid-missouri to think "maybe it has got easier to cycle since we started".... more likely, though, it was simply God giving an extra boost of energy for the day. 

most noticeably, the air has become much more humid & muggy the further east we ride. with trees and rivers in plenty, there's moisture all around, and we no longer have the luxury of a clothesline at night (whereas out west we could soak out clothes in the shower before dinner, line them out, and pack them away dry as could be before we even went to bed). henceforth, I shall likely revert to my original method of drying clothes - ortliebs. 

you gotta believe me when I say they are the gold standard in panniers. 100% waterproof not only means your stuff stays dry through rains, snows and fording rivers, but also throughout the day as soggy shirts, socks & shorts are strapped to the outside of each bag. even if we're chugging along at only 10-12mph, seven hours in the sun with a little wind works wonders. it's a man-powered dryer that has come in very handy during the trip. 

will be staying in our first state park in a long time tonight. I could try and describe the joy we felt at finding out they had hot showers, but alas, no words could convey such emotions. 

until next time,

may the rains fall softly on your fields

josh & mark

the lifecycle team

Day 36. 10.10.2013. 88 miles from Marshfield to Summersville

This morning was blissful, riding through the fall Missouri hills. It's days like today where at times your legs forget they are climbing. It was so quiet and peaceful. 

The peace was shattered, however, in a moment needing quick reflexes. I was riding in front and startled a blue heron which was wallowing in a puddle in the ditch. It flew right in front of me to the point where I had to dodge it while flying down a Missouri hill. I am pretty sure I could have run into it if I tried to. What a neat moment to remember, although I'm sure there would have been quite a story had there been a colision. 

We did also see a red tailed hawk today. It was fun actually knowing what a type of bird was for once haha. 

I loved seeing the ivy surround many of the telephone poles and barns that we passed by. There are also many small backyard ponds that are so smooth that they reflect anything that is near them. Missouri is quite beautiful, not in a breathtaking way like some of the national parks, but in a winding and peaceful way. It is crazy how different it is than Kansas. There are no straight lines.... not one. Every road climbs, drops, twists, bends, curves, dives, and anything else. 

Trying to dry out clothes on the fly 

Missouri farm

Does the picture show those hills?

Attempt at a quick shot with te sunset and one of those ponds. 

Tonight was super fun, we went to the local restaruant/bar (I think the only food place here) and watched the entire tigers game 5 in Oakland. The guys supported me in this decision haha. We won 3-0 and I am so glad to still have a chance to watch a few games at home maybe if the tigers make the World Series. We are now camping in a gazebo in the city park which is found in the middle of "the square". The town revolves around the square, or rather, the town is the square. The city hall, grocery store, restaurant, gas stations, and who knows what else are set up in a square with the park right in the middle, and in the middle of that park lie our tents. Kinda fun!

Tomorrow we've been told should be our hilliest day with much longer hills. I guess we will see! 

God bless,

Tailwinds,

Mark 

touring 101: the wave

alright future tourers, listen up! one of the critical aspects to cross-continental riding is "the wave". motorcycles, truckers, RVs, minivans - each has it's own unique greeting that must be strictly abided by to ensure a safe & enjoyable ride for all parties involved. 

the "biker" (applies to all motorcycles, crotchrockets, cruisers, etc.) - swing you left hand out almost to form a peace sign (but not all the way), making sure not to raise it above your handle bar. keep it low and keep it cool. 

the "camper" (RVs, 5th wheels, camper trailers, etc.) - a coy wave of the hand coupled with a condescending smile, knowing you are way more environmentally friendly in your own exploration of the Great Outdoors than those gas-guzzling, smoke-spewing contraptions they've dragged across the country. 

the "commuter" (sedans, minivans, single drivers, etc.) - extended wave well after the driver passes you, with as friendly a smile as you can muster. you're biking across the country and they are dragging themselves to another 9 to 5 job. which one of you needs more cheer in their life at that point?

the "cyclist" (this should be obvious) - wave. pull over to their side of the road. chat for 5-10min. exchange names & upcoming road conditions. (optional) handshake and/or hug it out. 

the "porchsitter / yard worker" (again, the audience here should be obvious) - your most parade-like wave and smile, maybe even a "hi" or "howdy" or mornin'!" .... this is one of the few times your interaction with someone on the road lasts longer than a passing split-second. why not go all out with a hearty greeting? 

the "truck driver" (semis, work trucks, etc.) - this is a trickier one, and depends on a few conditions. with a tailwind: use the same "almost peace sign" but raise your left arm high for maximum visibility. with a headwind: either a quick "howdy partner" nod (but do not touch your bill of your helmet in salute as well, that simply looks foolish. you are not a cowboy, no matter what you think) or a quick flick of the hand that must occur before the truck passes you. both hands on the bars, my fellow tourers, whenever a large vehicle blows by you in headwinds, as their draft can easily knock you and your 90lbs. of bike/panniers right off the road. 

the "wait to pass" (cars coming from behind and waiting til traffic is clear the opposite way) - extend the wave til after the car has passed, and if you can swing it, a loud "thanks!" never goes amiss. 

there you have it! you're one step closer to becoming a seasoned roadster who knows their way 'round any turn of the trip. 

and for those of you keeping track back at home, we're in Summersville for the night, staying in "the square" which we're thinking is just a fancy new name for the town's city park. but when it's right next door to a restaurant that's playing game 5 of the tigers vs. athletics, I'm fine with it being called whatever they want to call it. go tigers! 

until next time,

may the wind be always at your back

josh & mark

the lifecycle team

fields of faith

the year 2013, on the 9th day of October. here follows the account of mark & josh, and the finding of the Fields of Faith. 

so far, Missouri has looked quite a lot like our home back in northern michigan. 

homesteads. 

farmlands. 

and hills. lots of hills. 

the change in terrain naturally brought a change in our riding pace. today marked the beginning of what will likely last through the Ozarks and the Smokies - 80 to 90 mile days, with more time in the mornings and evenings at each town we stay in. 

this evening we stopped in Marshfield, MO, and were privileged to be able to skype with our church back at home. Dorothy Prins and the K-4th graders at Walloon Lake Community Church are one of the many groups that have lifted mark and myself up in prayer during our time on the road. 

thanks to some wifi at McDonalds, we were able to see all those bright & shining faces of the wednesday evening class for a brief time and answer a few questions the kids had about the trip. 

thanks to our stop in McDonalds, we were directed to Fields of Faith by a few people that overheard our Skype conversation, and correctly assumed we were believers who might be interested in a gathering of several churches at Marshfield's football stadium for a tailgate and time of worship that evening. (which had started just as we finished up our Skype with the kids back  at Walloon). 

and so, thanks to Missouri's terrain, we found ourselves arriving early enough to participate in a town's incredible gathering of believers. Fields of Faith is put on by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes across the country each year as a way to bring the youth from local churches of varying denominations together. nothing beats good food & fellowship on a cool fall night under the lights of a football field. 

once more, we found ourselves blessed to be serving a God who provides and goes before us on this journey. today He proved to us yet again how perfect His will and His timing is for each of our lives - no matter where we are, He's watching over us and has plans to prospers us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. 

until next time,

may the road rise up to meet you

josh & mark

the lifecycle team

Day 35. 10.9.2013. 89 miles from golden city to marshfield.

Today was like entering into a new world. We were warmly greeted by the no longer rolling hills of Missouri. They have become roller coaster hills. Although they sure present quite the challenge for a loaded tourer, they are also quite the fun touring experience. After about 10 or so of the quick up and downs we started to learn more of the technique we need to conquer these hills. I'll take you through what goes through my mind. 

Missouri hills

At the top. Shift into a very low gear, stand and pedal as fast as I can until I reach 25 mph, then tuck to cut through the wind, then as soon as I hit the bottom of the hill and start going up stay in the low gear and pedal as fast as I can again, don't down shift yet, keep pumping with powerful pushes so that I can keep my momentum as long as possible, look up and notice the beau fitful trees, finally down shift some just to keep my cadence up, by this poky hopefully I've made it to the peak but chances are good that I'm only half way, so I stand and push as hard as I can until I can't go anymore, then I sit and down shift to slowly crawl up the last bit, coast for a few seconds on top to catch my breath, repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Until Kentucky. 

This type of riding actually seems to suit my style Better though which is weird. I like to pedal hard then coast a little them pedal hard again. So I felt pretty good by day end. 80 miles in terrain like this though is still quite the challenge. And even though the roads have very little shoulders here the drivers have been very courteous towards us. Thanks Missouri drivers :)

We got lunch today at coppers burgers, or something like that. I ordered some pulled pork nachos and they were quite spectacular. It was a fun lunch period where I exchanged texts with quite a few college friends. Yay cornerstone. 

When we were coming through fair grove, 20 miles from the end, a lady hopped out of her car and flagged us down. Her name was Helen. She was the lady who always helped out cyclists who came through their small town. She was a Christian and we talked for about 10 minutes. I almost wish we would have stayed at the city park in their town to share more time with her but God had other plans. 

We made it to marshfield just in time to get ready for our Skype session with the 3rd and 4th graders at Walloon church. There were so many kids and they had so many questions for us. They have been praying for us and following us as missionaries. What a humbling experience. God really blessed my spirit with their eagerness to know about our vision. Whatever we can don't raise up the next generation if warriors for Christ I am all about it. I just can't believe god would use a couple of crazy bikers to have a big part in these kids lives. We hope and plan to go visit with them on a Wednesday night when we get back. 

While we were at mcdonalds skyping a couple of highschool girls came over and since they had heard out Skype conversation they told us about fields of faith. A youth convention combining all 14 local area churches for a big youth rally. So we went. Haha. It was amazing to be in a place with over 600 believers. I had been really missing an experience like that recently. We also got rinsing worship songs :) and we were blessed with a huge free dinner. How great and fun is our god? 

The event 

We were just about ready to leave the event and I realized I had lost my bright yellow jacket. We then backtracked and found the football coach at the highschool hanging on to it, knowing it belonged to me, and was planning to bring it to the faith event to find me! We had earlier asked directions then apparently I dropped my jacket. How cool. I thought it was a goner. Thank you lord. 

We then found the county fairgrounds and set up camp around 9 pm. Not a bad night at all. Actually it will go down as quite a memorable one for me. 

I feel ready to tackle some more crazy hills tomorrow. 

God bless. 

Thank you thank you thank you for your prayers. 

Tailwinds, can they blow us up these hills?

Mark

show me the mo'

after a fantastic night and morning in Chanute, we headed into the rising sun once more, our panniers as light as our hearts as we rolled out of the city limits. 

throughout most of the morning, we started to hear the cries of Canadian Geese "v"ing their way south for the winter. as we were also heading into some strong southern winds, mark, mathias and I found ourselves in similar formation on several of the legs of our ride today. 

one of the most rewarding aspects of touring via bicycle is crossing paths with fellow tourers. in a world of fast cars, smart phones, headphones and the like, our commutes both long & short are becoming more and more isolated. not so in the biking world. we met a chap (Michael) from Germany today, who'd ridden 2000 miles from NYC and was on his way west to LA. it's always a pleasure to swap stories and info on the roads ahead, nearby bike shops, good spots to stay, etc. what's more, I find it amazing how connected you can become after as little as five minutes in conversation with someone you've never see before - and likely will never run into again. 

our last city before the Missouri border was Pittsburgh, which, if I had gone to high school in Kansas, would most certainly have wanted to attend one of the ones in that town. their school mascots? the Gorillas and the Purple Dragons. 

not more than a few miles down 126, we passed the fifth "welcome to" sign of our trip. and just like that, Kansas is in the rearview mirror. show me Missouri! 

until next time,

may God hold you in the hollow of His hand

josh & mark

the lifecycle team