July 19 on the TransAm

We wanted to get an early start from Jeffrey City and so I was up by 5:15. I got packed up and started on breakfast before waking up the boys. Paul had decided to take a rest day so I knew we’d be leaving him behind. I wasn’t sure about Karolina and how early she wanted to get on the road so I was prepared to start ahead of her and meet up with her later. We left the church by 7:00 and headed to the Split Rock Cafe so we could use the wifi for a few minutes before heading out. By 7:15 we were heading out of town for a 66 mile day to Rawlins. 

The sky was overcast, we had a slight breeze, and it was a pretty level road so it was easy to go at a pace of 15 mph for a good while. We came upon the famous Split Rock historical site and stopped to look around. The naturally “split” rock stood high in the sky and served as a navigational point for the early travelers crossing the West. They could see it for a mile before reaching it and for 2 miles after passing it. We took some pictures, used the restroom, and headed on. 

Continuing our good pace the next stop we made was Muddy Gap. We’d been fighting a sidewind for a good while before reaching it and it was a nice stop to grab a few snacks and refill our water bottles. From there we planned to stop at Lamont (10 miles) for another refill and then finally in Rawlins (33 miles further). Between Muddy Gap and Lamont we would cross the continental divide again (which meant we had some climbing to do) and between Lamont and Rawlins we had to cross it yet again, this time higher. 

After Muddy Gap the weather started getting hotter. We were really looking forward to stopping in Lamont. Rocky had the lead and suddenly pulled over for no apparent reason. As I rode by I said, “What’s up?” “I have a flat,” he said. Bummer! We pulled over and got started on it. Thankfully it was the front tire. I looked the tire over and found that a staple had punctured it. We got it repaired easily enough but were having trouble getting it aired up to capacity because our air pump was leaking. So we put about 55 psi in it and hoped we could top it off at Lamont. 

If I had checked my list of addenda I would have known that the restaurant and all services in Lamont had closed–but I had not. As we approached Lamont and looked across the road we saw a dilapidated restaurant and an otherwise overgrown area where life used to be. Our hearts sunk as we rode on by. No more air for Rocky’s tire. No bathroom. No more water. And there were no more services for the next 33 miles. It was over 90 degrees now and the clouds were dispersing. We still enjoyed a slight breeze, which kept us from dripping in sweat; but it was just plain hot. 

We were getting very low on water and we were getting overheated. There wasn’t a single tree in sight to provide a break in the shade. Finally Forrest said, “I’m getting way too hot. I’m about ready to wave down a car and ask for some cold water.” I encouraged him to press on and committed the matter to the Lord asking Him to send help. 

Heading slowly up the long hill towards the second crossing of the continental divide I looked up to see Rocky pull over to the opposite side of the road. We were still about 15 miles from Rawlins. As Forrest reached the spot he too pulled over to join Rocky. What were they doing? As I drew closer to them they waved me over and I could see that they were standing next to a cooler at the end of a driveway with the words “Free Water” written on the side of it. I came up to them and they handed me a bottle of water. There was a note taped across it which read, “He (Jesus) said to me, I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life,” Revelation 21.6. Dear traveler, we wish you Godspeed on your journey, but most of all, we wish for you eternal life, where we will never hunger or thirst again! Blessings, the Nisly family.” Tears came to my eyes as I drank deeply from the bottle. God had sent help. He knew our need and He heard our prayers. 

Wanting to leave some bottles for other cylists (like Karolina, who was still behind us), we drank only one each. But we decided to grab our empty water bottles and head up to the house at the end of the driveway to see if we could fill up and use the bathroom. A Mennonite lady named Karla Nisly kindly welcomed us in. I told her what an answer to prayer her water was and asked if we could have some more. She gladly let us drink up, fill up, and use the bathroom. As she told me about her “water ministry” and her husband’s work I shared that I was a pastor and that we were unsure of where we were staying in Rawlins. There were three campgrounds there but they were all off route. She then tentatively offered their Mennonite school as a place we could stay. It had a kitchen, a shower, and plenty of floor space. I expressed my gratitude for her kindness and said we’d love to stay there. So she gave me the directions and said she’d confirm it with her husband who was one of the Trustees. 

The remaining 15 miles to Rawlins seemed to go much more smoothly after our stop. We had water and we had a nice place to stay. I soon received a text from Karla that her husband Steve said we were most welcome to stay in the school. Knowing that we had a kitchen to work with we stopped by the grocery store in town and picked up stuff for dinner and breakfast. Coming out of the store I greeted another Mennonite lady (Joann, with her son Jared) asking her to confirm the directions to the school. What in the world would we obviously non-Mennonite cyclists want with the Mennonite school, she probably thought. She looked at me a little funny when I told her we were staying there tonight. I then explained that I’d met Karla and been in touch with Steven and that they’d offered the school to us for lodging. She then figured we were legit and gave me directions. 

Joann asked me if we were going onto the Interstate. I told her that unfortunately there is one section of the TransAm that puts us on the interstate and it’s the section leading out of Rawlins to Walcott and that we were not looking forward to it. I told her I hoped to find an alternate route or possibly hitch a ride to Walcott. She went on to tell me that her husband John would be glad to give us a lift since he travels to Walcott every day for work. Hmmm. I think I’ll be in touch with John. 

We pulled into the school just as a thunderstorm was beginning, thankful not to be setting up our tent tonight. We arrived very tired and most grateful for a dry, quiet respite. In fact, since this is such a nice place and since the bikes need some TLC and since we’ve got some sore spots that need attention and since we need haircuts–we decided that we take a rest day. I contacted Steven and he was more than happy to let us stay another night. 

It’s really amazing to see God provide for His people. Our faith often is so weak. I think it was John Newton who said, “Ask great things of a great God.” It’s so encouraging to know that He hears our prayers and that so many of you are joining your prayers to ours. Of what should we be afraid? If God is for us who can be against us? And if God is caring for us as a Father for his children then let us trust Him and ask of Him all that we need. For of this much we can sure: He is more ready to give than we are to ask. 

Thanks for praying. Thanks for following. 

Until next time… 🙂