Pedaling With Peace

It was an extremely cold and windy day. The sun shone bright, but it alone was unable to warm my wimpy southern California frame. It had to be 55 degrees out, and with the wind chill it might have been as low as 49.

One of my goals this year is to regularly ride my bike. I want to ride 100 miles a week. I want to do 2-4 events a year. I would love to ride to San Francisco in the next year.

The best days on my bike would include blue skies, winds from the south at about ONE mile per hour and temperatures as low as 65 no higher than 70 - I’m flexible, if nothing else. That was not going to be the case today. I was just finishing tidying up the backyard while trying, with all my might, to mentally prepare for today’s ride. It wasn't going to be easy.

Goal for the day: 26 miles at a rate of 12-13 mph. (I’m fairly new to this and currently have a mountain bike with thicker wheels so this is a fair challenge).

As I pull out of the drive I swing my right leg over the seat, adjust the volume on my iPod and set out for a 26 mile ride. I have already managed to pedal 25, well maybe 10. Okay, here's the thing,  I've pedaled three “feet” when I realize I need another pair of cycling pants because the ones I own hit just below the knees and my calves are freezing!  My face is cold too. It is so windy one could lean into the wind without falling. The fact that I've made it this far is impressive, and were I to turn around right now and call it a day, no one could blame me. Unfortunately – or shall  I say fortunately - I had recently watched The Biggest Loser’s opening show for the 2013 season and all I can hear is a voice in my head that sounds much like the voice of  Jillian Michael's  yelling, “What are you, a wimp?!” and  “I’ll personally kick your bleep if you get off that bike!”   So I pedal up the street to the riverbed opening and assure myself that once I get pumping my legs will warm up. If I can actually pump!  Because it’s SO flipping WINDY!

I’m at my start point. I reset my bike computer, click on my iPod and take off … slowly, and with great effort, and I’m thankful for the voice of determination as-well-as the voice of Peace.   The wind howls. I’m frustrated and I feel burdened because there is no way I am going to be able do 12-13 mph. I’m angry and feel defeated.  Just then, the sweet voice of Peace saves me with the reminder that all I have to do is; pedal. “It may take longer, but you’ll still do your twenty-six. Just pedal and ENJOY this ride." 

Some days, weeks, even months are like that aren't they?  It’s all we can do to put one foot in front of the other.  The beauty is … that’s all He asks.

So, in pursuing our dreams and visions, let’s stay the course. Be it, one lyric; one page; one stroke of the brush; one customer; one call; one close; one class; one pound; one meal; one prayer; one day; one mile; one step;  or, one pedal at a time.  It is, after all, one more than we had before.

I am learning that most of the burdens/obstacles in my life are merely a figment of my imagination.

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” - Matthew 11:30