WE'RE IN COUNTDOWN MODE

NOT NECESSARILY FLAT TERRAIN. This enhanced satellite photo prominently features the southern tip of India, where our 2,000-mile (3,218 km) trek begins on December 30, 2006. It also reveals something of the terrain we will encounter--not necessarily flat! The weather in Nagercoil, India today is 88 degrees and sunny. Heat index is 94 there. The night-time low was 74 degrees. Ahh...the January you've always dreamed of!

MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE. As our December 26 departure date moves closer, we're getting into countdown mode. We continue to train, riding our bicycles indoors on Cyclops trainers now that the American Midwest weather has dropped below freezing. We also continue to work on checklists both for our work and families from which we will be away for six weeks, as well as for our trip and ride.

RIDE ALONG WITH US. We hope you will join us for this project--go with us via this blog. Check in on our progress as we wind our way northward toward New Delhi at an average of 100 km (62 miles) per day. We hope to post photos, updates, and insights on this blog as often as possible. So, save this site in your "Favorites" (bookmark it) and return often in January and the first week of February.

PRAYER PARTICIPATION. We also welcome your participation in prayer. One community of faith is signing up friends to pray for us each day of our journey. Thanks! Please pray for our safety on the roads, but also for completion of our mission--$600,000 raised to rebuild Umri Christian Hospital.

Thanks for your interest & involvement. Check back often for updates. Learn more @ www.bikeindia.org.