Week 330
Positive post Sunday, June 25, 2023- Week 330.
I love a challenge, and over the past several years, I have had the opportunity to overcome many cycling challenges. I’ve raced in several criteriums, recovered from 4 major crashes, climbed many mountains and ridden several centuries. Most recently, yesterday to be specific, I was given a challenge of a different nature.
My cycling buddies (names will be withheld to protect the guilty) challenged me to turn our discussion at the bagel shop yesterday into a faith-based PPS. A little background might be helpful. Most Saturday mornings, we ride over to a bagel shop in Riverside and back to Redlands (the ride is known as the “bagel ride”). While we break bread at the bagel shop, we often have very spirited conversations that often move quickly to two topics, politics and the stuff guys talk about when they’re not with their wives and family, and yesterday was no exception. During our conversation and laughter, one of my buddies challenged me to turn our discussion into my PPS, a challenge I welcomed.
Although I’m sure they thought it would be difficult to turn our “spirited” conversation into a faith-based PPS this morning, it was actually very easy. You see, I have been riding with these guys for many years, and although we have fun joking and laughing about things that are perhaps best unsaid, I know behind all that talk are Godly men who are faithful and loving fathers and husbands and I’m blessed to have them as friends. Heck, one of our buddies brought an Uncrustable yesterday, you know those round peanut butter and JELLY sandwiches without crust, and one of the guys even referenced its likeness to a Host.
On a very serious note, we have had some life changing experiences among our group and our families, including injuries from bike accidents, health challenges and the loss of loved ones to name a few, and my cycling buddies have been there for each other and our families. As an example, when I was in the hospital recovering from my bike accident, I was not able to help Michele with her campaign for reelection to the School Board, but my cycling buddies were. They reached out to Michele, met at our house and helped distribute her campaign signs throughout our community. Michele and I were very grateful for their support.
When not riding, we always check in on each other and we’re there to support one another when we celebrate family milestones and as we navigate through life’s challenges both on and off the bike. I’m grateful for their friendship, and I pray for their health and wellbeing along with their families. They don’t know this, but I’m often saying brief prayers for them in the silence of my heart while we’re riding side by side, or I’m chasing them up a hill, each week.
I often pray while I’m riding, giving thanks for my many blessings, saying the rosary, praying for God’s grace for family and friends. I have also come up with the topics for many of my PPS writings while riding. I find that riding clears my mind, opens my heart and cleanses my soul. Although, when riding I’m often pushing my limits physically, I feel very peaceful and relaxed internally, making my time on the bike my best thinking time.
While doing my research this week, I found a few thoughtful and inspiring stories that highlight how bicycling can bring us all closer to God, it certainly has for me (see links below). I especially hope my wife Michele Lomen Rendler reads “Bicycling with God”. It’s never too late to re-learn how to ride a bike, an experience that can bring you even closer to God!!
Bicycling With God – Patricia Raybon
Simple Home: A Tandem Ride With God (blessedmomssimplehome.blogspot.com)
Who are your “cycling buddies”, those friends in your life who you know are there for you and your family? Do you pray for them and their families and let them know you are also there for them and their families as well?
How can you, or have you, welcomed our Lord and savior into your hobbies, turning them into faith-based experiences?