Clarenville, NL to St. John’s, NL

 

I woke up around 5:30 am to see Jack depart and send him off with a hug. It was hard to let him go, but we were both doing what we felt was right.

 

It was a casual morning and we hopped on the bus around 8:30 am. Since one of the trailers had been wrecked in an accident, I ended up putting my bike on top of the 15-passenger van.

 

Garron and I were both hobbling around because of our achilles tendons, and so we rode together nice and slowly for most of the day. It was a perfect day to end the trip - sunny, warm, no clouds. The excitement was quite palpable.

 

The riding was quite typical - stops every 25 km or so and then a police escort into St. John’s and up [the very steep] Signal Hill. We had made it!! We all got off our bikes and linked arms (included the wounded riders and all roadies) and walked the final metres to the top of the hill. There were lots of hugs, tears and words of affirmation and of course I was most excited to see Kate!!!

 

I still can’t believe that we have ridden across the entire country of Canada. You just keep riding until the next break, and then all of a sudden here we are! It was wonderful to be able to share the moment with kate, although we were quickly whisked away for the rest of the evening’s activities, which feature an outdoor service put on by the Salvation Army.

 

Then Dan and I gathered up our stuff, I said my goodbyes and we were off to Frank and Agnes’, the parents of a friend of mine, who lived about 50 minutes outside of St. John’s.

 

The trip was over! However, I know that I have formed relationships here that will last beyond these two months and for that I am thankful. It will take me some time to process this trip, but it has definitely affirmed my calling as a pastor and my gifts relating to that vocation.

 

Thanks to everyone who has read this blog, supported me with prayer, encouraging emails. It’s been great!! Thanks to all the riders - each of you are so unique and have so much to offer the world around you.