I couldn't bear to ride another mile, and that was last Wednesday morning upon awakening after Tuesday's grueling 80 miles of headwind. Finally it is Sunday, not quite 400 miles later. Life seems incredibly intense and compressed when so full.
A mile of road is always there, with its curves and hills and bumps and sun. There might be snow and wind and rain and critters on each spot, but when I am there it is mine, with all I've carried to that point. It can be brilliantly inspiring causing, joy to spill forth, or, if I choose, can be darker than the depths beneath the pavement. As we spread over the miles at our own pace I spend much time cycling alone. It is meditative. Peddling cadence, breathing, heartbeat; the rhythm fades to the subconscious as the subconscious becomes reality.
I make some of my miles very difficult, but find answers along the way. Relief comes from just wrestling with a 'problem' until it beats me into submission of acceptance. Others come from fellow riders who God offers at the right moment to enlighten me and lighten my burden. Sometimes it is a text from my brother, a 'brother' from my fellowship at home, or a stranger suddenly a friend; how ever, or whomever, here or afar, when touched by another it is such a relief to be free from myself.
Then I am free. I feel my cadence, breathing, heartbeat and dedicate them to the moment. I can lead the draft, offer a word of encouragement or a drink, or energy bar to a fellow rider. I can call to the cows, which look bewildered or sometimes run alongside like dogs. Dogs. I love the dogs that bark and chase us. They mean no ill, for guarding their yard can be rather boring so are delighted to cheer us on while joining in the fun. I often stop to greet and thank them, and they seem so pleased for that. It is mutual charity.
Charity is mutual. Being of service is the meaning of life, and without those to serve my life is meaningless. Those I serve are then able to serve another whether I give them strength or just inspiration. Ultimately we don't serve to gain accolades, though they come, and we shouldn't draw attention to our service to others, I am advised. There is a fine line between humble demonstration and prideful boasting, and some will maintain pure charity should be anonymous. I feel that in a real world that if someone sees one give the shirt off their back to another they might realize that they can, too. That is essentially the purpose of this ride; to do something exceptional so to draw attention and hopefully inspire contribution to our real purpose. Sure, one can improve another's lot so none will notice, but inspired witnesses can lend momentum so greater work can follow.
I pledged to raise a particular amount for the Fuller Center for Housing. Though I have met the requirement for my level of participation I have yet to meet expectations. What I have raised will go to the Central Florida covenant partner, so would hope my home town would do the most to support my effort. Disney provided $1000, less than a handful of their 70,000 employees contributed, one of my neighbors, one family member, and the rest from church and fellowship members, former colleagues and friends discovered through Facebook; and yet I fell short.
This past week's miles were over 525, more miles than I rode this year in training. Preparation is difficult when taking into consideration work and volunteer work. Still, despite my lack of physical training the most difficult part has been fundraising, and I brought that job along with me. That is a burden I don't want to carry another mile, but must. I'm asking for your support, Central Florida. That means you- my fellowship, fellow workers, former colleagues, neighbors, volunteers, friends, church family- please, I need your help, and so do my fellow riders. I am posting a link to my fundraising page and will be linking others as we go along since they are having difficulty, being more humble and less direct than I. Thank you to all those who have supported me to date; you are extraordinary souls.
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