Photos: Steve and crew ride into McKay / Jaycees park to finish the ride

"I'm tired, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat": Steve has completed his ride!

Steve, Pollie, Pete, Mark, & Diane cruised into McKay / Jaycees Park in Grand Rapids yesterday evening for a joyful end-of-the-ride celebration with AJS supporters. More news and photos from the event coming soon, but meanwhile here's a text version of the news story broadcast by WZZM Channel 13 News on Grand Rapids television yesterday: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=125270&catid=48

The Christian Reformed Church in North America, which recently approved AJS as a recommended organization for its members to support, also covered the completion of Steve's Ride in a press release: http://www.crcna.org/news.cfm?newsid=2093&section=1

Congratulations Just Riders!

Article in the Holland (Mich.) Sentinel

The local paper helped get the word out about Steve's upcoming talk in Holland, Mich., tonight:
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x522015313/Professor-to-talk-about-his-bicycle-journey-for-justice-in-Honduras

Days 32-34 Geneva, IL and Cedar Lake, IN

Hello, again, everyone! Please note that we will be entering Michigan tomorrow. Yes, that's Michigan. I checked my bicycle mileage log and we passed the 2,500 mile mark yesterday. Pete marveled with me just how fast we've seemed to traverse the "skinnier" states like Illinois and Indiana--unlike Iowa, South Dakota and Montana which seemed to be states that required days to pass through west to east (and north to south). It is true but it is also likely that we have become aware that this journey is rapidly winding down to the finish line in Grand Rapids on Tuesday 7/27 and that just seems like it's been too fast in some sense, and then again....

The day before yesterday we rode about 105 miles from Prophetstown, IL to Geneva, IL. It was quite a journey in the heat and humidity and replenishing fluids, taking shade breaks and ice cream breaks were high on the agenda. Not long before arriving I got stung by a bee on my inner left arm (this is bee sting #2-- am I a magnet for these guys?!) which actually just set my adrenalin rush (anger) into overdrive for a strong finish. Our more-than-generous, patient and warm hosts, Jim and Andrea Jerozal had kept pasta and a fantastic salad on the ready for us, not to mention a hot shower and some good fellowship over shared interests in global ministry and sustainable business and living practices. Andrea and the kids posed for some parting photos with us the next morning but our visit was just way too short. We want you all to come back and visit with us in Seattle at your earliest convenience. Please?!!!!

Yesterday, we enjoyed miles of great bicycle trails in the far western and southern suburbs of Chicago as they provided a good break from both the sun and winds while temperatures soared to 96 F along with the humidity (Heat index 105). And, both Pollie and Pete humored me and my cries for pancakes for the past week by stopping at a great little restaurant in Oswego, IL (the Oswego Family Restaurant) where I gorged myself on pancakes and eggs for lunch. We even were given our own can of whipped cream to decorate with smiles and Pollie's hand-crafted "bicycle." I think the staff felt sorry for us and knew that we were a bit delirious from the heat.

With the heat and humidity being as bad as it has been, yesterday we rode from Geneva to Cedar Lake, Indiana far slower than we would have liked and our arrival into Cedar Lake was complicated by a few wrong turns and headwinds late in the day. We also arrived at the outskirts of town literally minutes before a tremendous thunderstorm hit. So, we took shelter beneath the roof of a gas station and waited out the worst of it before our host Harley Verbeek and AJS staff arrival, Jill Van Beek, surprised us by stopping to guide us on the road home.

Harley and his wife Arlene are AJS co-founder Kurt Verbeek's parents and the Verbeeks graciously agreed to host us and Pollie's parents for not just one but two nights which was a late change in our plans largely due to the need for an earlier rest day and, the fact that Pollie's parents' truck which has been hauling our food, water and gear across the U.S., has broken down once again-- this time in Geneva, IL.

It is very clear where Kurt got his sense of community, faith and love of God. Harley and Arlene are very proud of Kurt and all of their children and grandchildren and most certainly cherish the family that God has given them. We have most certainly been "adopted" by the VerBeeks. And, I can also see a bit of Kurt's sense of humor in both of his folks, who are as quick with a gift of laughter as they are with their offers of hospitality.

Today, we had laundry to do, errands to run and Harley took the time to give us a tour around the lake as well as the thrift store ("Second Life") where he volunteers. Second Life is taking in donations of all kinds and turning them into funds to support local Christian schools by offering tuition assistance to students, among other things. It is a great model for sustainability since relatively nothing gets wasted and it is also an example of what can be done when a community examines its consumption/waste patterns and turns them into something beneficial with a lasting impact (helping education grow). Go Harley and Second Life, go!

Arlene has also helped fill us not only with extremely delicious food (apricot chicken last night and homemade oatmeal this morning) but she has lifted our spirits with laughter and good cheer... especially, sharing her light with us when we've needed it most-- when we have all been weary as this journey draws to a close.

Thanks, Verbeeks... thanks for everything. We truly hope that you visit us soon in Seattle too! Our door and our hearts are always open.

"Pedaling for Pledges": Article on the Muscatine (Iowa) Journal about the Ride

Congrats to Steve, Pollie, and Pete for continuing to spread the word about AJS, justice, and Honduras in local media in the towns they pass through! Here's an article about them published by the newspaper in Muscatine, Iowa: http://www.muscatinejournal.com/news/local/article_5715c4ae-9540-11df-a472-001cc4c002e0.html

Steve on the radio in Pella, Iowa

Steve was on the radio again this past Monday, on KCWN. We don't have a copy of the audio yet, bet here are some pictures from the interview:

Who's Who Spotlight Series: Pinch HItter

As you have followed along this blog, you probably already have gotten a sense of who Steve is and the drive behind why he rides. But he will be the first to tell you that a ride like this is not just about the rider- in fact, this ride wouldn't be possible without an entire team of ASJ supporters. The "Just Ride Who's Who" series will periodically highlight just these folks, the people behind the story that are really making it all happen.

Today's "Who's Who" Spotlight: "Pinch Hitter"

A.K.A (Also known as): Pete Schnebele
Random Facts about Pete:
- Born and raised in the Seattle area
- Has 4 kids, and 9 wonderful grandkids
- Will be celebrating his 67th birthday while doing this ride
How he got involved in Steve's Just Ride:

Pete is a fellow church members at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland, WA. This past spring, when he heard that Ste had plans to bike across county to benefit ASJ, he said “Gee, that sounds like something I’d be interested in doing.” And without even a twist of the arm, Steve had a pinch hitter to join the ride, at just about the point that it seemed that Montana would go on forever. Pete joined Steve in Billings, MT and has been a wonderful addition to the Just Ride team.


Why he got involved:

Pete’s passion for adventure, runs as deep as his faith. And he didn’t hesitate a bit when given an opportunity to do a ride that was for a worthy cause. And in his own words, ASJ certainly fit the bill for a solid organization.” Pete’s was even further inspired when ASJ co-founder Kurt Ver Beek came and spoke at his church about the amazing work they were doing in Honduras.

The ride has also given Pete a chance to see a part of the U.S. he had never seen before. And he hasn’t been disappointed by the scenery or the people, both of which are at the top of his list of highlights on this ride. “If you want to really experience a part of a country,” Pete said, “there is no better way by bike.”


Keep following the blog and watch for the third installment of the Just Ride Who's Who Series.

To read the Previous Spotlight: "The Folks", click here