It was a bit too dark to start a ride, but us "roadies" (bicyclists/cyclists that ride on the roads) didn't want to say goodbye to the daylight of summer and the highs that fast riding in a group provide.
So there we went, three of us down state route 334, lit like a Christmas Tree with flashing red and white lights designed to prolong our lives while we share the road with early morning commuters.
A mile into the ride I hit (another) rock placed strategically to hit my 1/2 inch tire tread dead center. "Oh no" I groaned. twice in a week I had attempted to crush a rock with a 700x23cm tire pressurized at 120lbs; not a good plan if you want to maintain the integrity of tire, tube, wheel, spokes and rider!
Thankfully, I didn't fall, but I did experience the squishy sensation and squirrelly steering of a "FLAT". So, I hollered to alert my two-wheeled brethren, hoping for a little help.
Help they did! Butch asked for the new tube to pre-inflate a tad so that I could install it quickly. Rob rolled up the old tube and pocketed it for disposal. And I worked as quickly as possible to remove the wheel from the bike and the tube from the tire. Finally (about 3 minutes to change a flat) we were ready for inflation. Butch offered his second Co2 cartridge in 7 days to expedite the final step prior to remount and resumption of the ride.
Several aspects of this circumstance reflect cooperative and sacrificial Body Life.
1. Brothers on the journey stopped to help a disabled brother
2. Everyone offered a unique service to hasten the healing and my return to service
3. Sacrifice of time to ride, unexpected effort and parts that cost, freely offered
In some groups the other riders would have continued the ride. Their thinking and practice is "Every man for himself". While a flat may sound trivial, it's pretty disappointing when the hopes you have for a refreshing and life-giving jaunt are interrupted. It makes a world of difference to have compassionate companions at your side. And they receive joy to make meaningful contributions.
With prayers for Godspeed on your Journey,
Rides on Two Wheels (my Indian name)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Why I'm Writing about Riding
I've decided to write this blog to share thoughts about how cycling in a group provides opportunity to learn and practice living in fellowship with other Christ followers. I will also use this as an outlet to celebrate numerous joys of the great sport of cycling, and to provide insights to other cyclists and "not-yet" cyclists to attract them to the sport.
I love cycling. Why? Freedom, speed, the beauty of nature, physical challenges... To me it's like flying; wind in my hair and on my skin, peaceful rhythms of circular pedal strokes, soft and consistent sounds of tires purring on the pavement and the joy of moving through multiple miles of astonishingly beautiful and beautifully scented countryside under my own power.
Cycling allows freedom from the realities of adult responsibilities, superb total body exercise, and last but not least, wonderful opportunities to fellowship with God and friends. It's one of my favorite things to do. So as an inveterate writer I can't help but to write reflections about the joys of life and relationships. Now I'm going to share a few of those with you.
Why Christ Centered Cycling? Well, because the title has a poetic ring to it, and because in reality I want to focus on what Jesus wants cycling to be for me, and for those with whom I share it.
Recently I've experienced a personal renaissance in cycling. This came as a result of moving back to the midwest which has provided opportunity to ride with old friends and to say hello to some of my favorite roads. Upon moving to the east coast in 2005 I thought I'd lost both friends and familiar countryside forever. My grief over both was more severe than I'd imagined, so the opportunity to experience both again is a gift.
Eric Lidell celebrated running as a gift from God, "When I run I feel the pleasure of God". That's exactly why I ride, and ride and ride...I enjoy the wonder of the machinery He gave me that can put pressure on the pedals for hours at a time, perspiring, panting, straining (hard), spinning (easy), and soaking in the sights and smells of the midwest U.S. during any season of the year. And, I'm never as well spiritually as when I'm simultaneously caring for mind, body and spirit in the saddle of the brilliant two-wheeled invention called the bicycle.
You'll be disappointed if you hope to find a logical progression of topics about cycling in this blog. I'm going to try to make it as joyfully spontaneous as a ride which provides ongoing opportunities to decide where and when to turn, and how fast to go. I just wanted to get the ride of writing underway after a long period of thinking about it.
My hope for you is that you might at some point find a nugget that will inspire your ride through life or your riding on a bike, and hopefully to integrate both as one in the same.
Ride on,
Jeff
I love cycling. Why? Freedom, speed, the beauty of nature, physical challenges... To me it's like flying; wind in my hair and on my skin, peaceful rhythms of circular pedal strokes, soft and consistent sounds of tires purring on the pavement and the joy of moving through multiple miles of astonishingly beautiful and beautifully scented countryside under my own power.
Cycling allows freedom from the realities of adult responsibilities, superb total body exercise, and last but not least, wonderful opportunities to fellowship with God and friends. It's one of my favorite things to do. So as an inveterate writer I can't help but to write reflections about the joys of life and relationships. Now I'm going to share a few of those with you.
Why Christ Centered Cycling? Well, because the title has a poetic ring to it, and because in reality I want to focus on what Jesus wants cycling to be for me, and for those with whom I share it.
Recently I've experienced a personal renaissance in cycling. This came as a result of moving back to the midwest which has provided opportunity to ride with old friends and to say hello to some of my favorite roads. Upon moving to the east coast in 2005 I thought I'd lost both friends and familiar countryside forever. My grief over both was more severe than I'd imagined, so the opportunity to experience both again is a gift.
Eric Lidell celebrated running as a gift from God, "When I run I feel the pleasure of God". That's exactly why I ride, and ride and ride...I enjoy the wonder of the machinery He gave me that can put pressure on the pedals for hours at a time, perspiring, panting, straining (hard), spinning (easy), and soaking in the sights and smells of the midwest U.S. during any season of the year. And, I'm never as well spiritually as when I'm simultaneously caring for mind, body and spirit in the saddle of the brilliant two-wheeled invention called the bicycle.
You'll be disappointed if you hope to find a logical progression of topics about cycling in this blog. I'm going to try to make it as joyfully spontaneous as a ride which provides ongoing opportunities to decide where and when to turn, and how fast to go. I just wanted to get the ride of writing underway after a long period of thinking about it.
My hope for you is that you might at some point find a nugget that will inspire your ride through life or your riding on a bike, and hopefully to integrate both as one in the same.
Ride on,
Jeff
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