Sea to Sea Riders Trek Through Tough Terrain

July 11, 2008 --Sea to Sea riders, plagued by technical problems that prevent some of them from connecting as frequently with the outside world as they would like, continue their trek east, traveling on Friday from Huntington to Ontario, Ore.

But contact via computers and cell phones will get better now as the riders make their way through rugged terrain to Boise, Idaho, where a celebration rally will be held on Sunday, says David Raakman, media coordinator for the cross-country tour that has already raised $1.5 million to fight poverty worldwide.

So far, some riders have been able to link to the Internet by stopping in libraries along the route.

"I had numerous problems with my ancient laptop that still came from Africa, and its temperamental power supply, not to speak of our satellite Internet on the tour that is somewhat unpredictable and not always able to work" as they ride through mountains that can block access to a satellite, says Marti Du Plessis, of Newmarket, Ont., in her most recent blog.

"The media guys are doing their level best to help us out, but there is just so much they can do. I now figured out how many get to blogging—they use the nicely air-conditioned public libraries in the towns we sleep over! This is where I am now, enjoying the cool environment as the sun is so hot outside."

Despite the difficulty of linking to the Internet from some rural areas of Oregon, rider Dave Teitsma was able to post a blog for Thursday, in which he describes the challenge of the trek. "The last few days were tiring and took a lot of determination. Once I got on the road, though, knowing that it was a shorter day, my attitude was more positive."

Teitsma, of Grand Rapids, Mich., had decided on Wednesday night to bike alone so he could go at a slower pace on Thursday and be able to take in the beauty of the terrain they went through.

"After the first 20 miles I decided to stop for coffee. I don't really drink coffee but I thought it would be a great way to slow down and enjoy the town I was passing through," he writes.

"It was relaxing to sit, look and take in all the sights. I made a point of the next three cities to stop and do a little sight seeing, or to just slow down at least. In Haines, I went to the local museum which had many pieces that had so many stories of where they had been and what they were used for."

- CRC Communications

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