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.