AFTER ONE DAY IN THE SADDLE

POST #5

Our first day of riding took us over 75 miles, nearly 128 kilometers. It was a long, hot ride and we were weary when we arrived at the youth hostel in Anandapuram. The day had three high points and several mini-crises to overcome.

GETTING STARTED. First high point: mounting our bicycles at 6:30 am at the Lysander’s home in Nagercoil and actually getting this long-anticipated journey underway. We were full of excitement and rather nervous at the same time. Dr. Lysander prayed for us and we bade his household and the families of Anand and Jose farewell. In no time we were out of the city and on our way to Kanniyakumari—the southern-most point in India—across wetlands, palm trees, rice fields, vacation resorts.

FURTHEST POINT FROM NEW DELHI. Seventeen miles after launching we saw the beautiful Indian Ocean in Kanniyakumari at Cape Comorin. This windswept point rises from the sea rather sharply. We made our way down to the rocky beach, dipped the back wheels of our bikes in the sea and joined hands in a circle of prayer. Here was the second high-point of the day. We were at the furthest point we would be from New Delhi, our anticipated destination. So much is planned but unknown. But we are confident in the purpose of our ride and hopeful that safety, health, and open doors will be with us all along the way.

STRONG HEADWINDS SLOW US. Leaving Kanniyakumari, we headed northeast and right into to 25-35 mph headwinds. We rode through a massive wind farm with what seemed like thousands of giant modern wind mills with blades over thirty feet long. The wind slowed our pace considerably. We wore ourselves down and had to rest a bit. John hit a rock and punctured, but quickly repaired. John also fell in the rough road and sand as we travelled through one village; he and the bike are fine. Then, Bob took a wrong turn and we rode 10k in the wrong direction before figuring it out. But this is the stuff of riding cross-country. In all, we felt good about the day's ride.

ARRIVING AT THE YOUTH HOSTEL. The third high point was arriving at the youth hostel in Anandapuram. The children lined the roadway into the campus and showered us with flowers as we rode through. We were overwhelmed. After a night's rest, we shared the morning church service with them. We wish you could here these children, age 6-17, whose families were all impacted by the 2004 tsunami, sing and pray. John spoke to them about giving and receiving gifts. After the church service, we packed up and headed on up the road.

SUNDAY JAUNT, LOOKING TOWARD MONDAY. Our journey today was rather brief, only 47 kilometers. We started around 10:45 and rode until 3:00 pm. Still, we travelled through many villages and across fields of rice and through wooded areas. Riding in India is a feast for the eyes and heart. We are spending New Year's Eve in Palayamkottai, staying at a school for deaf children. We hope to strike out early on Monday morning for another long ride--about 120 kilometers--to Thirumangalam. The following are some more photos from today's trek. Check back often for updates, but know that we do not have Internet access every day.

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