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Ken's Thoughts
SURREAL, taking place, or in this case, having taken place in one's subconscious.
That, I think, best describes looking back now and trying to get a feel for the
actual 2,113-mile bicycle ride from North Bend, Wash., to Kaukauna, Wis., in
late May and early June of last year. It is hard now to remember the feelings of
euphoria after making a long, hard climb and starting down the easy, high speed,
other side of a mountain pass. It is hard now to remember the feeling of being
chilled to the bone in a cold, late spring icy rain out in eastern Montana. It
is hard now to remember how warm it can get out on the highway in the burning 90-degree
sun on a very humid Wisconsin day. It is hard now to remember how very sore one's
behind can get with sitting 10 or more hours a day on a bicycle seat. These
things, the mostly painful things, are hard to bring back into real focus. That
is good, very good. It is much easier, and a lot more fun, to return images of
the many interesting and happy things that were the really huge portion of that
ride. The beautiful, God created scenery flowing by, beside and above, mile
after mile with no end ever in sight. The friendship, fellowship and tolerance
of son, Randy, and grandson, Joe, also mile after mile with no end ever in sight.
The wonderful people of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and some from other states passing through, that we were privileged
to have God put in our paths mile after mile with no end ever in sight. They
were very likely the greatest single component of this bike ride. Would I do it
again? As they say, "In a heartbeat!", because the camaraderie and the wealth of
acquaintances experienced far outweigh the times of discomfort. And, as my
father and many others have reminded me, nothing truly good and worthwhile comes
easy. I want to thank you all again for being a part of having made this dream
bike ride come true for me: my supportive family, my many interested and
prayerful friends, and those thousands of new acquaintances we had the pleasure
of meeting along the way. As we said so many days in the trip journals, "Talk at 'ya
another time". God bless.-Ken Lettau
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Randy's Thoughts
Q. Would you do it again given what you know now? (the hind sight question)
A. Yes. In a heartbeat, even without vacation pay. Although the memory of the
pain, both mentally and physically, has softened with time (as I knew it would),
it has not gone away. Even so, there was a peace in the every day routine and
long hours which so many continuous days of riding produced. I have done more
thinking about the ride in a deeper way after it, than I had before and during
it. Before and during it my thoughts were on the logistics of success,
equipment, etc., but since then my thoughts have been on the impact it had
toward my outlook on life, goals and purposes. I actually miss the feelings now
that occurred during the ride because of the time to reflect and review since
the ride. This maybe doesn't make any since, but that is how I feel.
Q. What one thing did you take away with you that impacted you most.
A. We live in a very complex society and system to support that society. The
ride removed and simplified life, at least for a month, and gave a peek through
a small window on just how "busy" we are with our lives and how simple and
enjoyable life should be. The one thing I took away was how similar people are
and how receptive they are to conversations about Christ. Dad continually
surprised me with his boldness toward sharing Christ with anyone he met. There
was the gas station attendant, the fast food customers, the hotel front desk
personnel, the construction supervisors, the lonely man walking the streets of
Spokane, his high school buddies, the visitors of Pompey's Pillar, and so so
many more. What is are real reason for being here anyway?
I feel very fortunate to have spent the time riding and sharing my life with two
great people, my Dad and my nephew Joe. Thank you Dad for sharing your dream
and thank you Joe for sharing your candy (not the girlfriend). When do we ride
again?
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Joe's Thoughts
If I were asked how I felt, I would have to say that I have mixed feelings. I
loved the challenge of the bike ride and getting to know my uncle and grandpa
better. There were many hardships that still come to the forefront of my
thoughts when I consider the question of whether I will ever do something like
that again. I believe that I would say yes, but I would probably make the
request that it be over new terrain.
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