A warm welcome at TS 42 in Blanchester, OH at 4:29am!

1:53 AM. Enough said.

 

Knee problems? Can’t find the knee tensor a? Not a problem! In a couple of moments, Briggite transformed a shirt into a custom, homemade knee tensor wrap. Here she is,  looking pretty proud of her work.

Arvid’s knee has been holding up well and we’re just now crossing the border into Oxford, Ohio. Heading down the Main Street, we were privy to a heroe’s welcome from the enthusiastic locals. It’s now down to a mere three more states — Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and then through Maryland to the finish line!

One ongoing surprise on this trip is how much America’s topography varies across its states — even within its states!

If you had blindfolded us in Columbus, IN, and taken them off in the rolling hills east of Oxford, you’d have no trouble telling us it had been 20 hours and we were now in Holland or Switzerland. The towns and streets we rode through bore Germannic names, and the houses also had a

strangely European look to them.

Make sure to look out for the upcoming “Through Arvid’s Eyes” post – and you’ll see what we’re talking about.

We couldn’t help but think how this is the America that many people see in movies, but would never find if they were touring the Country in a car. This is how it’s been everywhere we go.

The indescribable scenery was the perfect response to the mental and physical setback of knee problems. Amen to receiving comfort just when it’s needed!

Stay tuned for more updates.

Arvid’s left knee is beginning to give him a bit of trouble. We’re approaching some steep grades, which will be a challenge for the knees to handle. We’re going to set him up with various aids that should help. Please pray for him through this next stretch.

 

Sometimes you have to stop and have a chit chat about where we’re supposed to be going.  Currently, we’re making our way through Columbus, IN. Very beautiful city. Arvid’s feeling the heat, though, and is battling dehydration.

Arvid began his trek in the wee hours in Eastern Kansas and made his way across the border into Illinois, crossing into Indiana later that day. Arvid’s trek through these states has gone and is going as good as can be expected, but the scenery along the way is anything but expected. Rolling hills, impeccably manicured lawns, extremely friendly drivers, and quaint midnight fog have made this part of the country unforgettable. Experience this day through Arvid’s eyes.

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The support crew was talking about the amount of sleep we have been getting while on RAAM and we

have come to the conclusion that sleep is highly overrated. Imagine all the work we could get done at home if we would maintain this sleep schedule! Not sure why we are feeling sorry for ourselves. We just need to consider the guy on the bike and we realize how petty our issue is.

Arvid is one of three Canadians doing RAAM solo this year. Jason (the Hammer) Lane, Peter Oyler and Arvid. The

other two are ahead of us. Go Canada Go!!!

In addition to RAAM solo riders, there are also teams (1, 4, and 8 person teams). The teams started on Saturday, June 15, four days after the solo riders. Yesterday the first of the teams caught up with us! Here you see a team racer talking to Arvid.

Interview on CJOB with Greg Mackling @GMack680 in minutes! Get tuned in over the waves or online at CJOB. Pray for good reception!

As we speak, Arvid is wheeling his way out of Wheeler, IL. Tonight’s trek is a long one – roughly 90 km – and it will end in the next state, Indiana, in a town called Sullivan. This is area has been so kind to us – the scenery is pleasant and varies appropriately, the lawns are all somehow mowed perfectly, and all of the drivers — every single one — are courteous, cautious, generous with space, and have responded very enthusiastically to Arvid.

In turn, little bits of the Arvid we’ve seen in all the videos leading up to the race, the kind, sharp-witted, and wise-cracking Arvid has continued to find ways to show himself through the beaten body, will, and mind of the athlete who’s giving it everything to get himself to Maryland. With everything we do on this trip, it seems we have just enough for every step. Race Across America may be “powered by TRANE”, as they say, but Arvid is powered by something else — God’strength and grace.

Driving through Illinois, we have been amazed at how awesome the drivers are here. They are extremely considerate, keeping great distances and even going beyond that and getting out of the way of cameras when  we pull them out to capture Arvid on the bike. Currently, we are coasting through Otego, IL, and the weather is incredible. Here’s Arvid stopping for some shade and KFC. Things are getting down to the wire!

Here are arvid’s stats since RAAM started: Day One 525 km Day Two 308 km Day Three 445 km Day Four 351 km Day Five 442 km Day Six 444 km Day Seven 415 km

If you are wondering why it seemed we were

off the RAAM route this morning, we will explain. RAAM had instructed us to take a detour due to flooding on the Mississippi River. The cyclist was to be packed up in the vehicle and driven down the interstate and then brought back on to the route. This happened to us in 2008 as well. We followed the directions and arrived at the spot where Arvid could get back on the bike only to see a police car blocking the intersection. He would not allow us through because a semi-truck was on fire down the road. We called RAAM HQ and they told us to sit put and wait as we were not allowed to leave the course. They would figure out what we should do and call us. We waited for them to teback to us. During that time Arvid enjoyed a steak sub, a rest, leg massage. We were delayed by one hour before the road re-opened. RAAM gave us the ok to get back on the road again.