Finding time to ride is the most difficult thing about training, even riding 19 miles today seemed forced as I get ready for our 6^th Grade Retreat here at the church.  I’m kind of jealous of the 3 or 4 guys who will be riding a Metric Century tomorrow, for those who don’t ride that’s around 62 miles (by the way guys, let us know how it goes).  It’s not that I’m even ready to put in that many miles, but the idea to get out, and ride a whole day like that seems nice.  Not trying to race, (O.K., for the speed I ride it’s more rushing) but to have the time to just ride. This will come, next Thursday and Friday, I will be riding to Allentown, and back that’s it, nothing else (nice).  Thanks to Laruen Scholl for cheering me up the hill to get home, it nice to have the encouragement.

There is nothing better than that first ride you are able to crank it up to that big ring and fly down that straight away. That’s what happened yesterday.  Around mile 4 riding into a slight wind, slowly shifting lower and lower up that small rise, keep going, lungs burning, what a rush.  Then it catches up, still early in the season, I can’t figure out why my legs are getting so tired, I’m only at mile 8.  Then it hits you – you’re still in that big ring, time to down shift and take it home.  12.6 miles getting stronger, a little faster, no granny gear today.

For those of you who don’t ride the, “big ring” is the hardest gear that you have, and your “granny” is the really easy gear you use on big hills.

Did you ever wonder how a weather man keeps his job?  When I went to bed last night the temp was to drop down to 50 degrees and be 55 by 8:00.  When I woke up at 8:00, yeah I slept in, it was already 68 and sunny.  What a great day to ride the first 28 miles of the season.  With the temp rising rapidly I loaded the bike and headed down to my favorite spot to ride, the Oley Valley.  I started the ride at 70 degrees no wind, and crawled off the bike at 85 degrees. Next time let’s not wear black.

Around mile 15, I realized the mud is beginning to clear.  It may just be lack of oxygen, I was climbing a hill.  I begin to remember this isn’t a race, this is a ride, so I slowed down, when I did, the valley came alive with sound.  The sounds of birds, and tractors, but more than that, it reminded me that I have been so busy with the job of living that I haven’t taken time to enjoy the life God has surrounded me with.   

So, I ride, and the mud slowly washes away.  What a great day!

Yesterday I had a chance to ride with mad man Owens.  Many of you know him as Pastor Ralph Owens.  I call him mad man because there are 3 types of people who like to ride bike.  The first type is the friendly bike rider who for fun rides a trail for a mile or two.  The second type is like me who is a little crazy, I like to ride 12 to 20 miles just for fun, enjoying the sights, and sounds of the ride.  Then you have the mad men (or woman).  They like to go as fast and as far as the can.   Pastor Ralph is a mad man, and this is why he is leading the western ride in from Illinois, and I’m leading the ride for us mere humans in the east.   But, God is using all of us for a great cause: http://www.eccenter.com/289030.ihtml.  Help us reach our goal, even if you can’t ride.  Tomorrow I go for the first 30 of the season.

The mud in my head after losing my mother is not clearing up as quickly as I feel it should.  Yet, my friends, thanks Al, keep reminding me this is a journey not a sprint.  Just, like a bike ride it is a journey.  So, as I train I use the time alone to shake loose the mud, rejoice in the memories Mom gave me, and press on to live my life to God’s fullest.

After a long day at the church, always longer than expected, I got back on the bike for 12.5 more miles.  After supper, racing the sun, I realize one important fact - I need a new seat.  Let’s just say I know, but I love being on my bike, no phone, no pressure, just the road, my legs, and my mind telling me we waited too long to get started.  I will be ready, not fast but ready.  This is too important to miss!  Keep pushing, Keep riding, and keep praying.  God will provide.     

Three weeks ago my good friend, our Senior Pastor, moved to his new job.  Two weeks ago I lost my mother to her long battle with her heart.  As I began my training for the rides, it almost became a time to grieve, to remember, and a time to start again.  It’s been 3 good years since my Cannondale bike and been ridden this hard.  Both my bottom and my legs can tell you that much.  Yet, it’s time to begin 18.5 miles down into the Oley valley.  A little rain but with 70 degrees in April you can’t beat it. 

The crank spinning round and round, almost a rhythm, it feels so good, the lungs burning, and the country side whizzing by (O.K. I’m not that fast… passing by), I wish I could ride longer; keep going, not stop.  The body tells me otherwise; it’s time to go home.  Ice on the knees, and a cold glass of water, what a great day, and what a great start… what a great cause.