David Whiting Live

Erie Canal Bike Trip - Day Five (final post)

We made it! 378 miles over five days! I haven't done an extended bike trip like this in several years, and I love getting out in God's Creation and taking my mind off of the daily things that can consume it. It is very freeing and relaxing for my mind - but very taxing on my body.  Well worth the vacation days!

Here is a final video (15 seconds) of what it "feels" like to go downhill at about 33 mph.  The larger number is the speed. The smaller number was mileage for the day.  We were coming into a town for our lunch break (45 miles).

Bike Trip Video - Down Hill from David Whiting on Vimeo.

As always, if you receive this by email - click HERE or on the title above to see the video.

 

Erie Canal Bike Trip - Day Four (some photos)

Day four is done. We are staying in Palentine Bridge at a bed and breakfast.  Sue drove the support vehicle the first two days. One of the riders took day three off, and the other five of us are splitting up the last two days.  Friday morning will be my turn to drive the truck. I will not ride the first 20 to 25 miles. My legs are happy, but mentally, I'd rather ride the entire time. But I'm sure we all feel the same.

To get an idea of how dusty the Erie Canal is - take a look at this photo. I was hosing everyone's legs off at the end of day three and couldn't resist taking this photo of Jason. Can you tell where his shoes and socks were? :)

One of the guys riding (Tim) got married in Utica. So we made a half-mile detour to take a photo for his wife:

This is my favorite traffic light we've seen (in Canajoharie)

Friday is the final and shortest day. Albany, here we come!

Erie Canal Bike Trip - Day Three (a video)

Instead of posting a description or a lot of pictures - I wanted to let you "experience" what travelling 15 or 16 mph on the Erie Canal is like.

Watch this video:

 

Erie Canal Bike Trip Video 1 from David Whiting on Vimeo.

 

As always, if you recieve this by email - click HERE to see the video.

Here is what our day more often looks like in a draft line:

Erie Canal Bike Trip - Day Two

Day Two of riding the Erie Canal...

Day Two Stats:

Distance: 84 miles
Maximum Speed: 33.9 mph
Average Speed: 14.1 (a lot more hills today)
Riding Time: 5 hours, 41 minutes

Some photos:

Started from our house.  Took a photo op in Pittsford.

Refill station. Sue drove the first two days in our support vehicle.

Jason DeGraaff with the one and only flat so far.

There really are some nice views. Very scenic. Although when really tired, we don't enjoy them as much.

This face is saying, "I'm having fun... I think..."

Near the top of one of many, many hills in the last 25 miles of today's trip.

 

 

Bike Trip - Day One

By the way, the video I posted yesterday was "private" and you weren't able to watch it. We made it public today (in case you wanted to see it).  Click HERE to watch the Ephesians video from Sunday AM.

We rode 80 miles today - averaging 14.9 miles per hour.  We rode from Buffalo to Rochester today. I was pretty exhausted by the end. Here are a few pictures:

You might know three of us: Bill Sones, far right (moved to Harrisburg recently), Jason DeGraaff, far left (Director of Assimilation at Northridge), and me. The other three guys aren't from Rochester. Two live in Harrisburg and one now lives in Pittsburgh.

The trail is very dusty. Drafting made all the difference when I was tired today.

50 miles down; 30 to go... Notice the dust on my shoes and shins.

A stop in Gasport.

We used the hose to wash the dust off and jumped in our new pool! The most refreshing swim I've had in years.

325 Miles on a Bike - Riding the Erie Canal

Tomorrow, I'm headed out with five other guys to ride about 325 miles on our bikes in five days.  We are riding the Erie Canal (approximately 65 to 70 miles a day).  I'm looking forward to it. Maybe I'll post a photo or two along the way, and I need to finish up writing a sermon along the way too.

Fun Announcement Video (from last month)

On occasion, I love to have some fun making an announcement video. I especially like to do it on weeks that I'm not preaching.  I did one a few weeks ago that was a lot of fun involving interviewing people at church. In case you missed it (or for those in it - in case you want friends or family to see it) - here it is.

October Interview Announcements from David Whiting on Vimeo.

 

As always, if you receive this by email - click HERE or click on the title above to see the video.

 

Having a Bad Day?

Next time you are having a bad day - make yourself look at this picture... It COULD be worse...

If ever a picture was worth 1000 words... this is it...

Small Group Training

I'm looking forward to our small group training on August 28th.  Last year Brad made a video for the leaders. I hear he's making another one this year...

For those who aren't small group leaders (or those who want to see it again)... here it is...

By the way, if you are expecting something serious or helpful - you don't need to watch... (it is just for fun and just for a laugh, but I think Brad's next career is as a rock star...)

As always, if you receive this by email - click HERE or on the title above to see the video.

Best Places to Raise a Family

Forbes magazine just issued a list of the best places to raise a family. As I understand it, it was based on issues such as cost of living, crime rate, commuting, household income, home ownership, homeowner costs, and eduction.

The number 3 city was our own ROCHESTER, NY! I love when Rochester does well in surveys because it seems too many people are negative about our city.  I love living in Rochester!  So I'm glad it was ranked #3.

The number 2 city was HARRISBURG, PA. That is where Sue and I lived for over eight years while I was a youth pastor.  We loved that city too.

And the number 1 city?  Can you guess?  DES MOINES, IOWA!!!  That is where I lived the first 18 years of my life.

I don't know what all of this means other than if I live in a city - it is a good place to raise a family!  I've lived in three cities (other than college and seminary), and they are the top three cities in the Forbes survey! I love it!