Figure this one out.
Here’s some of what our eyes take in along the road or roadside each day:
Massive banyan, locust and other shade trees
Fruit and vegetable vendors squatting on the roadside
hands will be necessary—one for the steering wheel and one for honking the horn. In the rural areas driving’s a challenge; in the cities it’s gauntlet not for the weak of heart.
TO THE NON-WATER WATERFALL AND BACK. It was our rest day, but while Bob tuned up bikes, Joe and John headed out for some sight-seeing on bicycles. We rode 25 miles to see a regionally famous waterfall. We had a great ride and anticipated the sight. We got there and there were great rock formations. But, alas, no water coming over the waterfall. We must come back in August during monsoon, we guess. We had another 25-mile ride back to Sagar savoring our fun tour.
TO SAGAR…ROUGHLY. Today’s ride was just about as rough as yesterday’s. Maybe it seemed that way because we were still sore from yesterday. Thus far, we’ve found National Highway 26 to be bone jarring. The good news is: NH 26 is being upgraded to four lanes as we write. The tough news is: current construction makes a pot-hole riddled road worse for the moment. Still, we held up, our equipment held up (still only one flat tire for the trip!) and we made it safely to Sagar after 86 kilometers / 53 miles. We’ve ridden six straight days. We’ve put 2,388 km / 1,481 mi behind us. We’re ready for a rest day. Photo: John and Bob take a downhill fast!
team from Nagpur to Sagar. Who can ever forget your spirited singing at 5:00 am? Thanks, guys. Best wishes to you, Kuhlo, MVM, and your families. We will welcome a new team of Indian riders and host when we start riding again on Thursday. Photo: a series of rapids under a bridge we crossed.
INTERNET AVAILABILITY. We are on the road and I (John) am in an Internet cafe in a town of which I do not know the name. This is the first Internet connection we have had since leaving Nagpur three days ago. So, the previous two posts are back-dated. Still, we are glad to be able to keep updating our friends as often as we can. Please keep checking back. Sometimes several days will appear at one time.
Thanks for your interest & involvement. Check back often for updates. We welcome your friendly comments and questions. Learn more @ www.bikeindia.org.
TWO THIRDS COMPLETE. We took time this morning to meet for Christian worship with an Anglican congregation in Seoni. The marking on the outside of the building indicated it was founded in 1878. One can only try to imagine the history and transitions of an Anglican community of faith in a small town in central India. The community graciously welcomed us and sent us on our way. We would surpass 1,333 km before the afternoon was over--we’re two thirds of the way to New Delhi!
WHAT WE’RE EATING. We’re eating Indian food for all meals and it is agreeing with us all. It’s edly, dal, roti, dosa, samosas, toasted bread, and/or an omelet at a rustic roadside grill for breakfast. After 60 kilometers of pedaling, we stop at dirt-floor, tin-roof, open-air restaurant for a modest lunch of rice, chipatis, vegetable (or chicken or mutton) curry, and fruit. Each evening we reload our depleted energy with the same (or some soup and fried rice) at a local eatery. Our essential nutrition formula focuses on carbs and protein, with simple sugars for immediate energy. In addition, we eat bananas and whatever fresh fruit Sanjay selects from roadside markets. As we’re riding in 80-100 degree Fahrenheit temps, each of us takes in about 8 liters of bottled water a day. One occasional indulgence (okay, constant obsession) is to comb a village or town for mango jam or mango ice cream. It’s almost as good as Indian chai. Almost.
SIX LEGS OF OUR JOURNEY. We’ve pedaled 2,073 kilometers / 1,285 miles since December 30th. We’re closing in on two thirds of the journey behind us. If you break our 3,200 kilometer / 2,000 mile ride into six legs, they look like this:
VILLAGE LIFE, URBAN SCENE. We’re now one day into the 5th leg of this journey from the southern tip of India to New Delhi. We started the morning with a team of fresh Indian riders from Maharashtra Village Ministries, riding thru the city of Nagpur (population approximately 2 million) before traffic became heavy. As interesting as passing village life is, a bike ride through an urban area is overwhelming. We’ve ridden through a thousand villages and only a handful of large cities, but because the city scene is so concentrated and intense, its impact lingers long on our senses. Photo: Bob repairs a man's flat tire. He rode off very happy!
FORESTS AND HIGHER GROUND. We passed through much forest area today. Villages were fewer and further between, but the rolling forest areas were shady and full of wildlife. This woodland area, on the border between the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, transitions from lower to a significantly higher terrain. The vistas along our big climb were grand. After the ascent, we thought we would have the benefit of a long, fast downhill flight. But there was no descent; 24 km later, we‘re still on high ground.
REPUBLIC DAY ALL ALONG THE WAY. Every town and village we rode through on our way to Nagpur today was having a parade or celebrating. It is Republic Day in India. On this day in 1950 the nation, which gained its independence non-violently from England just three years earlier (on August 15, 1947), became a republic. India is now the world’s largest democracy. You can tell that Indians are very proud of their country and its growing place among nations. It is written on their faces and in the intensity of their patriotism on this day. We celebrated with them, flying the India flag on our bicycles. Photo: Boys celebrate in a Republic Day parade.
the American Midwest. Our 42-mile / 68-kilometer ride was complete before noon, even with two occasions of greetings by local well-wishers. We are in lodging in Nagpur, a major city that is likely closest to being the geographic center of India. This is the last major city we will pass thru before Agra and the New Delhi/Delhi area.
NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTRIBUTE. We want to be clear: the focus of this ride is not about five people riding from the southern tip of India to New Delhi on bicycles. The ride only serves to heighten awareness of Umri Christian Hospital and to call for friends from all over the world to contribute to its reconstruction. Have you made a donation yet? If so, thank you! If not, please consider doing so now. If you live in India and have friends in North America or other places, please call them and encourage them to give at this time. If you know of someone who would be willing to support our cause or effort, now is the time to contact them and encourage contributions—great and small. We appreciate the fact that many people are praying for our safety—and we are grateful for that. If you are praying for us, would you consider shaping your prayers toward the needed resources to reconstruct Umri Christian Hospital? Photo: riders offer brochures about UCH to inquiring people we pass by.
FROM YAVATMAL TO WARDHA. We were sent off by Yavatmal College for Leadership Training early this morning. Also, four boys from a local "Awana" youth program accompanied us on bicycles to the edge of the city. What fun! Five Indian riders are accompanying us to Nagpur; they are from YCLT. One is the institution President Justus; three are teachers at the college; one is a student. They all made the 70-kilometer/42 mile journey quite well.
Three years later the Indian democracy was established on January 26, 1950; Republic Day is commemorated across India with great affection. It seems fitting that we should begin Republic Day at Gandhi’s home tomorrow.
A DAY IN "COTTON CITY." It’s been a scheduled administrative day for Joe in Yavatmal. While Joe was in meetings with regional leaders, Bob and John traipsed around this city of 500,000 inhabitants. Yavatmal is known as "Cotton City" because it is in the heart of cotton production in India. We’ve seen piles of cotton over two stories high. Yavatmal is also home to the first Free Methodist Church in India. The "mother church" is over 100 years old and still thriving. The pastor and his family hosted us for lunch in their parsonage today.
"Bicycle India 2007" is the longest single journey in terms of days and kilometers/miles that he has ever undertaken. We heartily recommend his caring service to all!
FAREWELL TO UMRI. We received an early-morning send-off by the students of the Helen Rose School of Nursing. Having covered 1,762.5 kilometers / 1,093 miles, we traveled the relatively short distance of 60 kilometers / 37 miles before noon. Our destination: Yavatmal, a thriving town that represents the beginning point of Free Methodist work in India over 100 years ago.
WELCOMED TO YAVATMAL. A group of local leaders welcomed us at the edge of town and escorted us by motorcycles to Shanti Bavan, the FM guest house and administrative center. There we were graced again with garlands and many well wishes. We are made to feel like some kind of special dignitaries, but we know full well that we are simply riding our bikes thru India in support of the people who have for many years dedicated themselves to a healing medical service in this area. They have shouldered a heavy financial burden; we are simply trying to bear it with them. Will you also help share the load? Together, it will be lighter for all and a promising future of professional medical service will be advanced.
Thanks for your interest & involvement. Check back often for updates. We welcome your friendly comments and questions. Learn more @ www.bikeindia.org.
ORIGINATING COMPASSION. Umri Christian Hospital and its related onsite educational and outreach institutions are the stuff of an evolving vision. Christian compassion opened a place of care and healing on these 25 acres over a generation ago. The spirit of compassion--ebbing and flowing over the decades--has brought complementary additions to the core hospital service. Today an entire campus of healing, education, and service pulses with that originating vision.
many people with tuberculosis and complications related to it. They treat folks with malaria and other preventable diseases. The outpatient clinic has been busy all day. Staff also attends to a growing number of HIV/AIDS cases, but without immediate access to medications that are readily available elsewhere. They work with short supplies and in less than optimum conditions. The buildings were built before 1920. We believe a new hospital facility will regenerate strength at the core of this campus and impact every related service.
are orphaned, many live here and go to public school in the community as very hopeful option for parents who cannot afford to feed, clothe, and care for them at home year-round. Supported by the modest monthly commitments of people who contribute to the International Childcare Ministries of the Free Methodist Church, these children are accessing education and care that offers a promising future for their lives.
and leaders to their mission despite a very tight financial situation. We believe this heroic service deserves an investment in capital improvement as well as a growing base of intranational and international partners committed to ensuring ongoing, high-quality professional medical care in this very specific place of vision and Christian care. We hope you will, in one way or another, become one of those partners.
CENTRAL IN OUR HEARTS. On our "Bicycle India 2007" logo, three locations are pinpointed: NAGERCOIL, our southern India beginning point; NEW DELHI, our anticipated destination to the north; in between is a village that can't be found on most maps--UMRI. This village, located two kilometers off NH7 in the eastern portion of Maharashtra state, is the home of a significant charity hospital, nursing school, youth hostel, and an English medium school. As far as our ride thru India is concerned, UMRI is central in our minds and hearts. That's where we headed today.
HOMECOMING WELCOME. Near the hospital, we were greeted on the road by children from the youth hostel, students from the Yardy English Medium School, nursing students from the Helen Rose School of Nursing, Umri Christian Hospital staff, church officials and community representatives. Donna Yardy, who had flown from the USA, met Bob in the throng. Bob's brother and sister-in-law, David and Sherrill Yardy, were also in the crowd. In all, about 500 people lined the road and guided us up to a celebration tent pitched close to the hospital. Gracious words and gestures made us all feel so appreciated.
the day's activities. Construction is planned to begin in March, though significantly more funds are needed to complete hospital reconstruction. We are barely halfway to our financial goal. If you have already contributed, thank you! If you have not yet done so, please consider a one-time donation for this very worthy project.
1,000 MILES BEHIND US. What a January it’s been so far! We’re two and a half weeks into the New Year and we’ve pedaled over 1,000 miles / 1,600 kilometers. It’s a milestone to which we’ve been looking forward. But you just don’t realize it’s happening out on the road. Bob and John forgot about the moment and decided to really crank it the last 20 km into Nirmal, averaging over 30 kph / 18 mph for the distance. All eventually made it to the town safely. Photo: villagers hitch a ride to a nearby town in the back of a lory/truck.
hard to imagine what village people we passed thought about a young woman riding a bicycle along in our single-file entourage. Photo: David Goodnight pushes himself up a hill.
about us. A caravan of oxcarts with sugar cane piled high creates a challenge for steering your bike as you approach them from behind. There’s an ancient fort on the right. See that little Hindu shrine over there? Monkeys play along the side of the road. And this is just the countryside; India’s cities and towns are even more interesting. India by bicycle is an effervescent feast for the senses and an artesian well for the heart. Photo: how large loads of laundry get cleaned.
BACK ON THE BIKES. It felt good to get back on the bikes today and ride 104 kilometers / 64 miles north on National Highway 7. After three days of NOT riding, we were anxious to pedal toward our goal. Not long after 6:30 am, we left Hyderabad with two new Indian riders and David Goodnight of Seattle, Washington with us. The first of our group arrived in Kamareddi, our day’s destination, around 4:00 pm in 100-degree Fahrenheit heat. We received a gracious welcome and spent an extended 2-hour lunchtime in Ramayampet, about 70 km into the ride. Another group welcomed us in a small village about 15 kilometers further up the road. We had no punctured tires on our bikes, but our support vehicle experienced two flat tires today. All is repaired and Sanje Sumadra’s Tata Victa is ready to go forward.
“DELHI – 1459 KM.” On the far north side of Hyderabad we saw the first road sign with the name “Delhi” and an official measurement in distance to our goal—“1459 km” (that’s 926 miles). Actually, it will take us quite a few more kilometers/miles than that, since we will veer off NH7 toward Umri and Yavatmal. We plan to rejoin NH7 in Nagpur, riding along it until NH28 splits off to the northwest--directing us to Agra, Delhi and New Delhi. Tomorrow, we should pass 1000 miles by the time we reach Nirmal So far, we’ve ridden 1523 kilometers / 944 miles. We’ve got a long way to go! But it was great to begin to see road signs that remind us of our hoped-for destination. By the way, Delhi is the older city that is next to New Delhi, a newer city that is now the central government center for India.
THANK YOU. We must say “thank you” to all our friends and supporters in Hyderabad who celebrated our journey and made us feel good about our effort. Your smiles, words, laughter, songs, dances, processions, garlands, shawls, flower petals, offerings, meals, hospitality and prayers will be in our hearts and minds as we forge ahead. May your expressions sustain us from Nagpur to New Delhi. And may all you have offered and expended come back to you multiplied! 
FOUR LEGS OF THE JOURNEY. We're dividing the journey from Nagercoil to New Delhi in four legs. The first leg took us from Nagercoil to Bangalore. Bangalore to Hyderabad was the second leg. Hyderabad to Nagpur will be the third leg. The final push will be the longest--from Nagpur to New Delhi.
SYMBOLS OF SACRIFICE AND PARTNERSHIP. Each of our core team members spoke about our project of raising funds and awareness for rebuilding Umri Christian Hospital at different locations yesterday morning. People here seem sincerely interested in and inspired by Bicycle India 2007. Unexpectedly, individuals and groups in India have offered thousands of rupees in support of the hospital--a real sacrifice and a symbol to all in North America of a partnership in the desire to see a bright future for UCH.
welcome celebration by the Emmanuel Conference of the Free Methodist Church. This welcome was an uproarious one, with garlands, dancing, signs, and children throwing flower petals. Men danced the “tiger dance,” encircling each of our cycling team members and gyrating to tribal drums and instruments. We were then offered a foot washing--an ancient rite of both honor and humble service--by two bishops of the church. A large group meeting with singing and sharing lasted late into the evening. Seriously, this is way too much! We hadn’t ridden our bikes at all, but we were exhausted when we fell into bed Sunday night.
for a second day in a row since we started. This much time in one place seems like forever. We’re anxious to get riding again.
A JAUNT BECOMES A HARROWING ORDEAL. Today’s ride was supposed to be a short 40-kilometer/24-mile jaunt: 20 k to the outskirts of the city where a welcome ceremony would occur and then another 20 k thru Hyderabad (nicknamed "Cyberabad" for its computer technolgy development) to a retreat center just beyond the city’s north side. But as we have come to expect, plans change--sometimes not by our choice or to our liking. At the end of the day we’d logged 100 kilometers/62 miles, finishing in the dark at nearly 7:00 pm. The good news is we arrived safely if a bit frazzled at the retreat center and are looking forward to a few days of rest and rejuvenation.
overwhelming welcome for us. We were escorted in a 1k-long parade—with drums, singing, dancing, and placards—to a meeting facility. We were showered with flower petals by supporters. In an afternoon meeting of about 400 people, we received garlands and shawls--a gracious Indian gesture of honor and goodwill. Each of us shared about our experience on the road thus far. There was singing, food, and encouragement all around. Congregations and individuals offered contributions for Umri Christian Hospital totaling about 35,000 rupees—this from people who really don’t have margin in their small incomes. This was a very encouraging moment for us. We are so grateful for this expression of care for the project to rebuild Umri Christian Hospital.
THE WEEKEND AHEAD. For the record, after today’s ride from Shadnegar to the north side of Hyderabad we’ve ridden 1416 kilometers/878 miles in 14 days. We’ve each been invited to talk about our journey and the project to rebuild Umri Christian Hospital at various locations tomorrow. On Monday, Joe and John have been asked to facilitate some equipping workshops for local leaders. On Tuesday, while Joe works in an administrative capacity, Bob and John hope to explore the city. We resume our ride northward on Wednesday at 6:30 am—sharp.
