It was a good day. It felt good to get some serious exercise. It felt good to spend time with people whose company I enjoy. It felt good to be working for a great cause. And there were also lessons to be learned along the way!
We started the ride before dawn. We had a lot of miles to cover, and we hoped to make the gathering at 11:00 AM. That meant we rode in the dark, for over an hour. And to do so safely, we had to take special precautions: lights on our bikes, reflective clothing, and so on. It was important for us to see the road, and it was important for drivers to see us! How often we forget that on any journey having light to show us where to go is vital!
A good portion of the ride we were heading into the wind--which slowed us down quite a bit. But then on the return, we had a tailwind and though rather tuckered out at that point (we were already firty-five miles or so into the ride) we were able to make up some lost time! I was reminded that whenever you face into the wind someone else is being carried along by it. Sometimes literally, but more often metaphorically. I was also reminded that often in life, the headwinds come first, and then the tailwinds. The work precedes the reward.
We also had to deal with rain. In fact early in the ride, we got caught in a heavy downpour. It didn't last long, and when it abated there was a lovely rainbow. And towels. We were very near one of my friends homes, and so we stopped, and took a few minutes to dry off (a bit--my shoes remained soggy for the rest of the ride!) Have you ever noticed despite all the rainbow clichés, they never grow old? Such a persistent symbol of hope! And friend with a fresh towel? Priceless!
When we were all done, the shoulders and necks and legs were all sore, but the good kind of sore that says, you did something today that was worth doing. And so it was. Along with the other riders, our bicycle wheels will make it possible for two-hundred
and fifty folks to get wheelchair wheels, seats and all!
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