Sea to Sea Riders Face First Challenge

July 1, 2008 -- Sea to Sea cyclists left their camp on a baseball diamond in Sultan, Wash., early on Tuesday and began their trek up a winding road toward Stevens Pass, the first major challenge on the cross-country bicycle tour that began Sunday with special prayers and a service in Seattle, Wash.

"Generally, everything is going pretty smooth. There is a good feel. Some of the bikers are a little anxious today about having to go over Stevens Pass," said Dave Raakman, communications manager for the tour that is sponsored by the Christian Reformed Church in North America in partnership with the Reformed Church in America.

Clad in yellow and blue jerseys, the 144 Sea to Sea riders gathered early on Monday on the shores of Golden Gardens Park on the Pugent Sound to dip their tires in the water before starting off on their journey that will take them across the United States and through a part of Canada.

A glitch in the tour's satellite dish prevented them from showing a live webcast of the tire-dipping ceremony. "Hopefully, that will be fixed soon and riders will be blogging and we'll be showing video of the tour," said Raakman.

The tour, which ends on Aug. 30 on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey, aims to raise $1.5 million to help fund CRCNA efforts to break the cycle of poverty in North America and around the world. Money will also be donated to RCA programs that target poverty.

The first day of the tour went without any real problems for the riders. "Everyone came in in really good time. The weather has been hot. There hasn't been any rain," said Raakman, who was accompanying riders on the first two days of the tour.

As they ride on Tuesday, the cyclists will wind through the rugged, forested areas and ride near the Skykomish and Wenatchee rivers.

To find out more about the tour or to make a donation, visit www.SeatoSea.org.

CRC Communications