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ChristianCycling Club in Sequim
Sequim is a home and destination for a wide variety of cyclists — from the weekend hobbyist to race and/or expedition minded enthusiasts. Recently, a chapter of ChrstianCycling has opened up in the area! Read on to learn more about this ministry and cycling in Sequim.
Sequim Offers a Perfect Location for Cyclists
The Reason Sequim has welcomed so many cyclists has to do with its relatively dry climate, along its diversity in cycling opportunities. A big draw for the community is the Olympic Discovery Trail, which offers 130 miles of paved riding, with views of the Olympic Mountains, the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the many farms, streams and forests along the trail. Beyond the Olympic Discovery trail, are the relatively flat roads of the Dungeness River Valley and the backcountry logging roads, which offer picturesque landscapes for.
ChristianCycling in Sequim Washington
ChristianCycling is an international ministry that exists "to share Christ and celebrate cycling through riding, service and fellowship." Bryan Nelson is the current Director of ChristianCycling in Washington State. Being a resident of Sequim, and member of Dungeness Community Church, he has naturally created a local “Spoke,” which is benefiting the local community.
A Word from the Washington State ChristianCycling Director - Bryan Nelson
“I have been associated with ChristianCycling.org (formerly InternatIonal Christian Cycling Club) for over 35 years as a Category 3 racer with USA Cycling (formerly USCF-US Cycling Federation) racing both locally and nationally mostly in California and Washington and Utah. I just recently became involved as Director of WA state for ChristianCycling.
The Sequim Spoke's primary focus is to be an outreach to the state, sharing the Gospel, and serving cyclists, their families and friends who may never, otherwise, put their foot through the door of a local church. Secondary mission is to be a discipling ministry through fellowship with other Christians.
All of our bike donations we receive are repaired and donated to the homeless, or financially strapped families / individuals. All money donations go to our general fund which is used to buy bicycle parts or put on cycling events.”
- Bryan Nelson - Director of ChristianCycling Washington State
Click to Learn more about ChristianCycling
Building Local Awareness of ChristianCycling
The Sequim Spoke of ChristianCycling is looking forward to just become more visible in the cycling community by pitching our canopy at certain organized riding events already on the calendar such as Tour de Lavender (Aug 6) and Hurricane Ridge ride (Aug 7). There are many large cycling clubs on the Peninsula that we ride with to advance the message of the Gospel. We also organize a local monthly or semi-monthly Saturday ride.
Interested in other ways to get out and enjoy the Peninsula?
Click for a List of Hiking Trails on the Olympic PeninsulaBike TuneUp Project
Bikes, like cars, need tuneups. More often than not, folks let their bikes go a long ways before getting a proper tuneup. One of the ways we build relationships and provide value is to offer complimentary tuneups throughout the year.
We offer tuneups downtown at Sequim City Hall on Thursdays, and are beginning to offer tuneups in surrounding communities. Early this Summer we did a tuneup/repair event at DCC. We are planning to follow this up up with another Sequim tuneup event in August or September.
Join Us on The Trail!
If you are interested in going on a ride, making a donation or getting further involved with ChristianCycling, call the church office during business hours, or send us a message.
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Team Living Water Runs The 2022 North Olympic Discovery Marathon
Team Living Water raised over $15,000 during the 2022 North Olympic Discovery Marathon. 26 participants ran or walked the various events which included a 5k,10k, marathon, full marathon relay, half marathon and kids race.
Team captain, Martin Murray, said the proceeds were enough to provide a brand new well to a village in Guatemala, along with rehabilitating an existing well somewhere else in the world. “We had a great time. It was a lot of fun. Seemed like people enjoyed it.” Said Martin.
Click to Learn about wells that DCC has helped build in Guatemala.
Goals of Team Living Water
Martin Murray explained that Team Living Water maintains three goals:
1. Raise awareness of world water crisis and let folks know what Living Water International is doing about it.
2. Raise funds to build well somewhere.
3. Create community and have fun doing that Martin feels they did well to accomplish all three goals.
Fun, Fellowship, and Running on The Olympic Discovery Trail
Julie Hill and Jordan Griebner arrived in Sequim on Friday afternoon. They joined us on Saturday evening giving a short presentation to over 30 participants and their for a dinner and short presentation. The Saturday night event was attended by 30 folks.
Sunday at 4:30am it was raining hard, but it stopped for the beginning of the race at 7:30am. Our relay team completed the full marathon and crossed the line together. It was a great site. Other participants completed the ½ marathon. Thankfully the rain held off until our relay team had finished the race. Then came the wind and rain!
During the day Team Living Water had a booth set up at the finish line, for folks stopped to inquire about Living Water International. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness and share what we are all about. Contact Martin Murray If you are interested in participating next year.
A Letter From Julie & Jordan of Living Water International
"Thank you so much to Martin and the team at DCC for your incredible efforts this past weekend in the North Olympic Discovery Marathon! It was a joy and honor to join together with all of you to provide water, for life, in Jesus’ name and even more fun to watch you exceed your fundraising goal! Thank you for choosing to endure for the thirsty and for all the hard work that went into making this event a success. I witnessed people stepping in to help out all weekend and it was clear this was truly a team effort! You are all a blessing to Living Water and are already looking forward to next year!"- Jordan Griebner - Living Water International - Director of Trips & Affinity Groups"I (and on behalf of Living Water) am so grateful for DCC and each race participant, each person who made a gift, every volunteer and advocate. Each person, gift and step ran/walked matters for the thirsty; sharing in this work and community together is a true gift. Praise God!"- Julie Hill - Living Water International - Director of Philanthropy, West -
A Guide to Hiking the Olympic Peninsula - by Ross and Kathy Hamilton
Do the mountains beckon you? With 1000 miles of trail here on the Olympic Peninsula there are many adventures available.
The virtue of the Olympic Peninsula is the variety it offers. We have high mountains, lush forests and wild ocean beaches. The highest mountain, Mount Olympus is under 8000 feet so there is no shortage of oxygen. Most of the trails are dirt pathways so travel is more comfortable than rocky terrains.We have no threatening wildlife. If respect is shown no animals will threaten you. And there are no poisonous snakes. The worst pests are mosquitoes and deer flies. These are pesky but not dangerous.
An interesting observation I have made is fellow hikers are very friendly once you get beyond a few miles from the nearest road. Distance seems to sort out people.
Distance also gives solitude. I have spent many enjoyable hours hiking. After a week of quiet solitude, the kinks of life seem to straighten out and life become much easier to deal with. God speaks to me more clearly when the world is less demanding. Many of my most happy memories have come from sitting on a log or rock listening to a distant waterfall or enjoying the peace in a mountain meadow. May you find similar rewards in your travels. As John Muir once said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” -
Favorite Backpacking Trips on The Olympic Peninsula
With 1000 miles of trails on our peninsula, there are countless trips possible. While I’ve not covered all of the trails, I had the privilege to see some incredible places. So here are a few of my favorites on the Olympic Peninsula, from East to West. - Ross HamiltonLaCrosse Basin
It’s a 20 mile hike in from the trailhead on the Duckabush, but the region is spectacular.
Dose Meadows
It is a 2 day hike in from the Dosewallips trailhead, but again it has much to offer. From the base camp one can explore Lost Pass, Haden Pass, and Thousand Acre Meadow. A variation in route is to approach the Dosewallips via Graywolf Pass. It is a magnificent view from this pass. Follow the Greywolf trail to the Pass and drop into the Dosewallips Valley a few miles from the Meadows.
Home Lake and Constance Pass
This beautiful area is a 2 day trip to get in via the Dungeness but is worth the effort. Home Lake is part of the headwaters for the Dungeness River. From the pass grand views can be had of Mount Constance and The Brothers.
Royal Basin
This grand valley has 5 basins in stair- step fashion. Each is different and worth exploring. The Greywolf Needles make a grand backdrop for these basins. Broad meadows, lakes and waterfalls make up this special place. One day will get you in, but you’ll need at least one full day to explore.
Low Divide
It is a two day hike from the Quinault and a four day trip from the Elwha to get to this pass and it makes for an excellent base camp to explore Dodwell- Rixon Pass and Martins Park.
Dodwell puts you face to face with the southern face of Mount Olympus across the headwaters of the Queets River. Martins Park is a treasure hidden under the watchful eye of glacier clad
Mount Christie.Low Divide
One of the premier hikes in the Olympics. This 20 mile loop trail takes the backpacker high on the ridge between the Solduc and Hoh Valleys and brings you to beautiful 7 Lake Basin and unobstructed views of Mount Olympus. I have spent several trips exploring this area. It is also the access to the cross country route to the backside of the Bailey Range (the range as seen from Hurricane Ridge)
Click to read "A Guide to Hiking the Olympic Peninsula - by Ross and Kathy Hamilton"
Enchanted Valley
This 13 mile trip up the Quinault brings you to a valley with sheer cliffs and waterfalls. O'Neal Pass to to Anderson Pass. This trail travels high on the side of the Quinault Valley and offers some of most spectacular mountain scenery in the Olympics. It can be accessed from either the Quinault, the Dosewallips or the Duckabush. If you are in the area, don’t miss it.
Toleak Point
The wilderness coast is well expressed on the way from Third Beach near La Push to Toleak Point 8 miles south. Tides must be watched and are best done on a low tide. The sand is firmer to walk on and the beach is wider A short distance beyond is the Goodman Creek Estuary. This is a narrow finger of the sea that come inland a good distance and reaches the base of Falls Creek falls at high tide. If you can find it, the Goodman Creek trail offers a short cut to this beautiful coastline
Cick to watch Ross Hamilton speak about his time working at Ansel Adams Studio in Yosemite
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PNW Christian Surfers - Spring Update 2021
Join Us at The Beach!
Spring is here and the warm sun of summer is right around the corner. Just last Saturday I was surfing out at Crescent beach, and it was almost 75 degrees as the sun was sparkling on the turquoise, glassy, clear and cold water. The waves measured about chest high, and the swell was pumping with left and right-hand peelers going all the way to the beach.
Family Friendly Atmosphere at Crescent Beach
The PNW Christian Surfers are getting excited about what God has in store this Summer. Bruce, Blake and the rest of the ministry have been planning some special events for this summer. You may be able to meet us out at Crescent Beach in our RV Park camp site, for a day of surfing, great live music, sharing, and some great food and fellowship. We are also offering surfing classes for individuals and groups. Crescent beach is awesomely beautiful with views of the snow-capped mountains, a white sand beach, and sometimes seals and whales playing right off the surf. Crescent Beach and RV Park has great facilities with real restrooms, showers and Is family friendly.
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The Beginnings of a Surf Ministry at DCC - by George Crabb
You might not think of the Pacific Northwest as being home to a surf community, but it is! The Pacific NW Christian Surfers started gathering over their love for Surfing and God. What started in a coffee shop in Sequim, has grown into a full fledged surf ministry. Their mission: “Bringing People to Christ through Living Water.” In this article, Pacifiic NNW Christian Surfers co-founder, George Crabb, shares the story of how it all started and where they are headed from here.