Maine Student Bike Trip
Maine Bike Trip: July 15-24, 2011. For more information or with questions, contact the Student Ministry office at 957-0580 and ask for Steve, Sheryl or Linda. Or e-mail them at: Steve: sraisch@thornapple.org, Linda: lwiner@thornapple.org, Sheryl: sbaas@thornapple.org.
To see pictures from the 2011 Bike trip, click here.
Read below for journal entries which will be added throughout the week:
JOURNAL ENTRIES: Scroll to the bottom for the more recent entries.
Saturday: We have safely arrived at Camden Hills State Park. Many hours on the road were spent playing Mafia, Hearts, Eucre, Dutch Blitz, sleeping and meeting new friends. Everyone is excited for our first day of biking tomorrow. Thanks for all of your prayers. Linda Winer
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7/18/11
Tonight is Monday night and the trip already seems to be going to fast. After two days of riding in a bus we began biking on Sunday morning. Encountering 69 miles and temperatures over 90 degrees, my biking group of first-timers conquered what they had not thought possible. During our first bike we saw lighthouses, beautiful views, and even finished in time to watch the women’s world cup soccer final. Today we got up early and pushed ourselves north until we arrived at lunch where I was “initiated” by the seniors. Which consists of being thrown clothes and all into the salty cold ocean. After I dried and removed most of the salt we pedaled to Fort Knox. After pictures to please the moms were taken, we briefly toured Verona Island and thoroughly conquered an incredibly tough set of hills know as the “Chug-Chug”. Tonight we swam in the lake and played Baggo for hours on end. I know that all of us rookies are somewhat worried about our third, and longest, day of biking and the infamous Cadillac mountain looming in our future. But I know with sweat, cries of pain and God’s help we will make it through. If I’ve learned anything so far on the trip it’s that this adventure is one of growth. Physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually, and I know that others feel the same.
In His grip, Matthew Greydanus
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Hello,
Hello those of you back in good ole Grand Rapids! This is Evan James Berkas after the second day of biking while it’s the fourth day of our trip. It has been a blast so far from the long car rides to the gas stations and finally to our countries lovely state of Maine. Sorry if that comment sounded sarcastic but Maine is truly beautiful and amazing to bike through and drive through. We have encountered endless rolling hills that just never seem to end but every group has done great so far and conquered the challenges that have faced them. God’s beauty has shown brightly in only our fist two biking adventures and there are still much more to come. Thank you for your prayers and I hope you all are having a great week without us! We miss you dearly and will be writing more throughout the week. Jesus loves you!!(It’s ok former U.S.A. women’s soccer fans we can always rely on the men…) Peace
Nos Vemos, Evan Berkasize
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Hello all back home relaxing at the computer reading this. After two days if biking I am sore everywhere. I never knew that Maine was so hilly. Turns out that it is full of rolling hills. Huge hills. Today we went up the notorious “chug-chug” which is just a really steep, long hill. Looking around while biking is amazing, Maine is a beautiful state. It is surprisingly hot here, when I thing of Maine, I think cold. It isn’t, yesterday it was in the mid eighty’s while we were biking yesterday. I am having an awesome time so far. Baggo and euchre are constantly being played during any free time that we have, and I am getting somewhat better.
Ok, I can’t really think of anything else to write so bye.
Derek Hein
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Hello friends and family in Michigan!
I cannot describe how amazing my first bike trip has been. Yes, the biking has been tough, but it has also been really rewarding. I have been getting to know a lot of the girls really well too. Today we went to Fort Knox-it was so fun to explore the old fort made out of granite.
Got to go play Baggo!
Anna Raisch
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Hey!
I’m having a blast here in Maine! This trip has been another great experience to get to know new friends, and to more appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. So far we have had 2 amazing days of biking filled with tons of fun spots at lighthouses and small fishing towns. We have been biking 60 plus mile days so it’s been hard but it’s also been so much fun. I have been able to get really close to the girls in my bike group as well as the leaders, which makes the tough rides seem shorter and a lot more fun! Our first campground had showers, which was a plus, and the second had a freshwater lake so we even got to go swimming today! It’s been very hot here, but that’s always better then rain! This has been another amazing trip and I will take many things I learned this week back home with me next week.
God Bless,
Lydia Angell
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I’m having so much fun in Maine! Today I did 50 miles and we went swimming in the lake. It was fun! I made new friends. They are amazing. I am so glad I got chance to come here. There are so many beautiful views. I got to see lighthouse. The cooks are very good. Coming here in Maine is one my unforgettable and most amazing thing I have ever done. Thank you everybody
Ranjana sarki
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Hi guys, it's been really great in Maine. Three years ago when I was here, it rained All the time. This trip has been so sunny and wonderful :) I've biked lots, gone hiking, kayaking, and I'm eating lots of food! Thanks for all the prayers and support!
~Stephanie Tolbert
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Hello, Luke Rynbrandt here. This trip has been just splendid! On the past 3 bike trips, the biking portion of the trip has been, well, not my favorite. On this trip, however, the biking was one of my favorite parts. I especially enjoyed the third day, when our group went for the century (100 miles). The night before, when the idea was first brought up, I was not exactly the most excited about it. The next morning, I realized that no matter how much I complained, the fact that we were going all the way was not going to change, so I decided to change my attitude. From then on, I had an unbelievable time. I didn't feel tired or sore or anything! After we finished, we felt very accomplished. I felt so accomplished that I could justify buying and quickly downing 3 Snickers ice-cream bars. Totally worth it. The rest of the week has been spectacular as well but that was one of the days that has stood out to me. Hope all is well in G.R.!
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Hey everyone it's Max Thompson. It's my first bike trip and it has been amazing. We had our last day of biking yesterday and it involved biking up cadilac Mt. It was an awesome experience, it was three miles up hill.
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