"3:30 a.m. is just too early" is what I thought to myself as I began day 2 of riding & giving up my vehicle. Day 1 was cake. Ride to work, ride home- done. The second day, well... let's just say it wasn't "ideal." 20-25 mph winds, rain, gusts, it was a mess. I'm not quite sure my body was ready for the conditions. The riding, yes. But not the weather.
The thing is, that's the point of this journey.
To learn how the other side lives.
Begin to get a glimpse into the lives of others.
God did that for me in day two.
Riding in the wind in rain is extremely difficult. To pedal into the wind creates a burn in your legs, strains the bike, and messes with your head. Not to mention, the rain pouring down makes it difficult to see and saturates your riding gear making you even heavier- adding to the load. It's not a "fun" exercise.
But, I knew there would be an end. I would make it to the office, my morning appointment, home at the end of the day... and I could rest. But there was a moment where I lost sight of that end. Riding past a local park (Mt. Trashmore) which is parallel to the interstate, it creates an intense wind tunnel. In a car you wouldn't even notice it. On a bike, you get a small glimpse of what pain Hell might be like. I was pedaling fiercely and shouting out loud, "You can make this! Don't give up! This wind doesn't know what it's up against!" On the inside, I was sinking faster than the Titanic. I actually asked God to take the pain away or take me.
It hurt.
I didn't want to be there.I wanted my mommy. Um, never mind that last one.
But I realized something as I came out of that stretch and into the calm.
I needed the wind tunnel.
I needed the rain in the morning.
I needed to ride longer than I had in months.
God knew it.
He sent me into it.
When pursuing something only God can do, God will stretch you through trials to remind you who is truly in control. I needed Him to teach me that. As I reflected on that in the final stretch of the ride, I thought about my friend La May. She walks into town to sell items and make her livelihood. Sometimes in the rain, many times for miles and miles. All the while knowing that there is a goal in mind: provide for her family. But, she still comes back home to a dirt floor, holes in the walls, poorly constructed roof, and... unclean water.
Her and 600+ people are living in that every day.
Join me in the ride to change that.
Participate in the U-Ride Campaign to bring clean water to an entire community.
One day.
Eight dollars.
Spread the word.
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