Homecoming Weekend for Many Cyclists
Aug. 16, 2008—It’s homecoming weekend for about a quarter of the 220 Sea to Sea cyclists, as about 50 West Michigan residents will ride close to home today when the tour makes its way into Grand Rapids.
Russ Johnson and Dave Geerlings, natives of Holland, Mich., had their homecoming on yesterday’s 47-mile, 76-km ride from South Haven through Holland to Grand Haven.
Friday morning, the riders stopped at Johnson’s home church, Graafschap Christian Reformed Church one of the three original congregations when the CRC began in 1857. The group was treated to applause, plenty of food and drink, and tours of the Heritage Center, a museum-like account of the history of the CRC in the basement of the building.
The ride was especially emotional for Johnson as he not only rode home, but also anticipated the end of his journey with the tour. Today is the conclusion of the tour’s central leg and will be his last ride.
“Seeing all the people, seeing my neighbors and my grandkids come running up to me, it almost brought me to tears,” Johnson said of yesterday’s ride. “I was grinning from the moment I left South Haven.”
Having started in Denver and finishing up his time in Grand Rapids, Johnson said that participating in just the middle section has been difficult. “I’ve really been welcomed into the life of the tour and now it will be hard to leave these people. In some ways, I feel like things are left incomplete. I think if I had the chance to do it again, I’d go whole hog or not at all.”
Ten cyclists are leaving the tour after completing the central leg today. At Friday evening’s large group meeting, they had a chance to briefly share their experiences. A communion service followed with tour participants and family and friends in attendance.
Earlier in the day, Sea to Sea partnered with Grand Haven’s Love Inc., and their Love Links Bicycle Ministry. A handful of riders helped repair bicycles to be given away to families in need.
Today, an additional 130 casual cyclists are expected to join the tour for the ride into Grand Rapids. The one-day riders are supporting the work of Volunteers in Service, a local agency that serves the poor. The peloton of almost 300 cyclists will ride into Calvin College’s Lake Dr. entrance shortly after 12:30.
Many of the Sea to Sea riders are either staying in their own homes or being hosted in the homes of Grand Rapids residents over the weekend. The rest will pitch their tents near the Prince Conference Center on Calvin’s campus.
Tour supporters are expected to fill Fifth Third Ballpark on Sunday for a worship celebration and ministry fair connected with the tour. Shane Claiborne, founder of The Simple Way, is the speaker for the 3 p.m. event. Walk up seating is still available for those without reserved tickets, or just bring your lawn chair or blanket.
—Sea to Sea Communications