Global Agents For Change 007

nehalem-bay-2, originally uploaded by globalagent007.

The entry below was written yesterday by Sonia Paul, one of the Riding to Break the Cycle 2008 team members!

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Today we woke up and THE SUN WAS SHINING!!! If you’ve been keeping up with this blog, you know exactly how much rain we have been going through and finally, for the first time since we started out in Vancouver, we were able to wear shorts right from the start in the morning.

The day started off with breakfast at the campsite in Newport, provided to us by wonderful hosts and consisting of cereal, bagels, strawberries and bananas. The sun put us all in a very good mood, and we were quickly on the road and taking in deep sighs of breath as we passed the Pacific Ocean on our right. The Oregon coastline is just incredible. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before and only live a one day car ride away! Every view is worth taking a picture of – our pod stopped in Yachats for about three hours and just hung out, had a great lunch of sandwiches with guacamole dip and fresh mozzarella, and just soaked in the sunshine and the beautiful coast. We then proceeded to complete the rest of the ride and it was funny when we said, oh, just another 25 miles to go, piece of cake! I used to think that was an enormous distance just a couple of weeks ago.

We got into Florence to one too many amazing surprises. First, right before we reached the church we are staying at, we ran into some incredible sand dunes. So much fun, and in the middle of nowhere! I just can’t comprehend the sudden change in landscape from rainforest fauna, the endless ocean to these enormous sand dunes, but they were so much fun. We tried sliding down them with sleds, but that didn’t work to well, so we ended up rolling down the hills and jumping around instead. Second, when we finally did reach our destination for the night, we were amazed to discover a hearty Oriental style meal cooked by a chef in training, complete with chopsticks. After having camped for the last four days and eaten camp food, we were just so grateful for this change. Just imagine, 25 ravenous riders, sitting at proper tables and chairs, enjoying a full course meal complete with apple crisp dessert. It was incredible! Our hosts here in Florence from the Community Baptist Church are so welcoming and have made our day just brilliant.

Not only did our hosts provide us with the food, showers and laundry, but they went above and beyond to give each of us a gift of a handmade wooden pen, each unique pen made from the local scotch broom plant. The moment was just such an inspiration. It’s heartwarming to discover the number of people along this coast who are cheering us on and looking out for us!

2008 RTBTC Rider- Sonia Paul

day+2+022, originally uploaded by globalagent007.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Today: 2:26:34 (time of actual peddling); 30.9 miles / 49.44 km

Total Trip (from Grandview Park, Vancouver): 5:27:36 (time); 68.4 miles / 109.44 km; average speed 11 m/hr; max speed 36.32 m/hr; average cadence 53

A day can change everything.

Yesterday all I could see were miles of painful and frustrating cycling made worse by the facts that I’m not allowed to listen to music while I ride and I miss my boyfriend. Today the blinders are off. I see more. There are some seriously cool people on this trip, and by being on it, I’ve met so many more already. On my way to Starbucks to steal the wireless internet and email said boyfriend, I ran into a group of people on the street corner handing out lovely delicious, free, vegan food. They apparently do this every Sunday. I thought to myself, if I can’t grab the free grub while biking to Mexico for charity, when can I? So instead of walking past the strange, happy hippies, I stopped to chat. While eating some gorgeous guacamole we talked microcredit. Someone else on the street corner eating the free food came over to talk. His name is Willow. Willow is a surfer-type – shaggy blond hair and a tanned winded face with a relaxed attitude and a guitar strapped around his chest – and also an amateur film maker. He has taught himself how to shoot and edit. He also makes music. Willow’s outside right now interviewing Adam. He’s going to make a video for us and post it on youTube. I think that’s pretty great.

While Willow films, our ride leader, Emma, is showing our hosts her skills on a uni-cycle while the cooks brew up a second batch of ‘bean mush’ on the BBQ and a few neighbourhood kids rip around on their mountain bikes. I think someone’s trying to figure out what to do about the dishes. The sun is setting and the mosquitoes are coming out, which should drive a few of us who are over 21 to the nearest pub. I hear this town is great for coffee and beer. Kyle, the awesome guy who runs the Hub – our host organization for the evening – made me one of the best americanos of my life when I rolled in. I think it only thorough that I find out if he’s also right about the beer.

I’m sitting in the office of The Hub. Kyle kindly cleared a space on the desk for my computer. On it, though pushed to the edges, are dozens of random items, from a bike tools and henna paste to a pamphlet titled “fighting for our lives: an anarchist primer.” The walls are covered in pinned-up postcards, photos, flags and sketches. The office itself is crammed with boxes and loose stuff, and it’s the best spot to sleep tonight. There has already been some tension about who’s going to get to sleep on the floor, as the rest have to find space on the concrete floor of the bike shop. Glamorous, this is not. But it is fun.

Today we biked from South Surrey to the border where we played some fun photography games under the Peach Arch: snakes in a blender produced some especially good shots. We then rode the 25 miles or so to Bellingham, largely along the quiet country roads of Whatcom County. There’s something particularly painful about knowing you are only going 7 miles and hour and your destination is Mexico. That said, there’s something quiet and magical about cycling; you see things on a bike you’d never see in a car. On a bike you’re on the shoulder of the road and can peek over bridges to see the lily pads in a pond or the subtle interaction between two old friends as they do yard work or appreciate the dilapidated barn that’s quietly sinking into a field of tall grass and dandelions. The smells are great too. It might not be quite so idyllic on the 101, but today was warm bordering on muggy; the air was soft. It smelled of sun on fruit bushes and sometimes of cut grass. When I didn’t want to throw up or cry, it was really quite nice

Link to the post on Ms. Kelly’s Blog

day-6-oregon-beach, originally uploaded by globalagent007.

So I’ve found internet in the parking lot of the Tillamook cheese factory. At first I was sitting in the van, typing among bagels, peanut butter (generously donated to us by the Youth Center in Seaside!) cream cheese, bananas, and hungry riders, but unfortunately a large RV parked itself between me and the connection so I am sitting outside on the curb. It’s chilly. But not raining!!! Finally, it’s amazing how much everyone’s spirits lift when the sun comes out. Not that I’d call this sunny, just a nice lack of water pouring down.

This morning we began our day by being treated to a yummy, big and warm breakfast by Father Paul of Nehalem Bay (pronounced Nah-Hay-Lem). With unlimited coffee! Warm drinks, especially with a caffeine lift in them are so appreciated after going to bed exhausted and waking up to another day of cycling. I have become a coffee addict – I thought it would never happen, but now as I realize the change that comes over me when I have a mug of it. I feel like it’s just the best thing to do for the team. Like showering, or wearing clean clothing…

Oregon is beautiful! Spectacular, fabulous, stupendously incredible, wonderfully gorgeous. We stop at every lookout point to oggle at the view. Wow, it makes me ever more grateful to be on this adventure.

Something else that makes me ever grateful is the kindness of our mom and support driver Karin. She’s always looking out for the team and happy to see us! Go Karin!

We’ll be putting up some more pictures soon. Tonight is the second of three nights of camping in a row, so there isnt much around but when we have internet again we’ll send something more out to you all. It’s great to be able to receive the blog comments as well. It is something that certainly warms our hearts to know that people are courious about our journey. I am glad to tell you that everyone is safe and sound despite ridiculous logging trucks, rain, and unpredictable weather. The plastic grocery bags we at first refused to use have become our best friends as they keep our toes dry.

Thank you for listening!

sincerely Emma – 2008 Ride Leader

aoc-1-424, originally uploaded by globalagent007.

After a restful night at the Stanwood United Methodist Church, we woke up to an amazing hot breakfast made for us by Sir Robert and Bob, including waffles, eggs, a potato and cheese casserole, sausages, and coffee! It was delicious and just the boost we needed, because when we woke up and looked outside we realized it had been pouring rain for hours with no signs of stopping. So after breakfast we packed up our backs, put on our rain gear and set off for Seattle.

During the ride, many of us discovered that we enjoyed riding in the rain, and multiple pods were singing along the way. After riding out of Stanwood for a while, our direction led us to a great 18 mile bike path called the Snohomesh County Trailhead- no traffic, lined with trees, and wide enough for three people to ride side by side. Shortly after the trail ended, we met up with the support van to grab a quick lunch before we continued on our way.

As the rain continued to pour, we rode along Highway 9 next to the semi trucks and school buses spraying us with waves of water. We spinned our way up some long hills and then down again, through the town of Bothel and then took the Burke-Gilman Trail into Seattle. Hours later and with the help of some locals, we all eventually found our way to the house where half of us will be staying for the next two days. All in all we ended up biking 74 miles, or 119 kilometres!

Tomorrow is our first day off, and we’re all excited to sleep in, explore Seattle and give our legs a rest.

Laura – 2008 rider

Our day started at 7 am in Bellingham. We ate breakfast, pumped tires, loaded the support van and headed on our way. We scratched the original directions and it was well worth it.. our amazing host Kyle from the night before and Thomas from Bellingham lead us along a bike path along the coast and through forests and farmland to lunch. Per Kyle’s suggestion, we stopped at a bakery that had amazing bread and coconut macaroons.

We stopped for lunch at Bay View Park where we also relaxed, stretched and played frisbee. Then we continued on our way through flat wind swept farmland. Along the flat straights we got practice in drafting (riding close to one another so the person in front of you breaks the wind and you take turns in front).

By 6 pm everyone arrived in Stanwood to our welcoming hosts at Stanwood United Methodist Church after a 80 kilometer ride. We are staying at this church because last years riders needed a place to stay at the last minute and they opened their doors, and we are thankful to be back again! Members of the congregation provided us with a delicious potluck dinner and then we gave a presentation about Riding to Break the Cycle, Global Agents for Change and microcredit.

We ended the night with a group gathering about logistics and responsibilities that was filled with many laughs. Soon thereafter everyone was feeling very tired and headed to bed. So on that note, I too will say goodbye and head to bed. Check back in tomorrow to read about our ride to Seattle!

-Jackie, 2008 Rider

We filled ourselves with bananas for breakfast in a Safeway parking lot. We had to eat up all the fruits we had before crossing the U.S. border (Ben ate 8 bananas for the cause!). The border was a breeze. It was the first time I’ve crossed an international border by bike, I think that’s why it hasn’t hit me, or many of the riders that we are no longer in Canada! The ride was great, Kamila and I were sweepers (we stay at the end of the pack, making sure that no one gets left behind.

The 50 km ride was even cheered on by a herd of cows who seemed to be gathering by a fence, all their heads raised as we passed by.

We arrived at the Community Bike Shop in South Bellingham to find a small one-storey building, which seemed to be full of hidden corners. The place was littered with used bikes. All of them donated. They get repaired here, then are sold off. It’s a pretty sweet place! Complete with a “suicide machine” (a kind of homemade unicycle that many of the riders tried to balance on), and a barbecue (where our wonderful cooks made beans, potatoes, salad).

We showered at a nearby YMCA, used their sauna and steam room! So good! We found ourselves a documentary-guitarist-song-writer dude who came and interviewed some of us! Keep your eyes peeled for a mini-documentary on YouTube!

Although, South Bellingham seemed pretty slow on a Sunday night, our team got the party started. We hooked up some speakers to a laptop, got some bike lights (our strobe lights) and created our own club in one of the rooms in the bike shop! Dancing the night away, everyone was busting out some pretty sweet moves! Definite good times (hopefully we can link up some footage from it!)! We even turned many cycling terms into crazy dance moves! No need to look for a party, the Global AFC team is ALWAYS a party!

-Phillipe Murphy, 2008 Rider

Riding to Break the Cycle is an annual cycling trip from Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico, bringing 25 incredible young people together each year in a mobile youth leadership camp. Riders raise $3000 each in support of microcredit initiatives in the developing world, and spread awareness about global issues all the way down the Pacific Coast.

Stay posted here to get updates, pics and videos from the ride!

This epic 7 week journey departed May 31st, 2008 and we will be on the road for most of the next SEVEN WEEKS. Stay tuned for updates to come,

Shawn  – Global Agents for Change