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