I took a break from blogging for a bit. Needed to focus on a few other things. Sorry.
Last week I was up north and decided to try something new. I went bike riding on some of the back roads of Muskoka.
I discovered and learned a few things.
Firstly, I discovered that your legs can be running-strong, hiking-strong, gym-strong, but that doesn’t make them biking-strong. It takes an entirely different set of muscles to get those pedals going and build speed. When I got off the bike I had jelly legs for the rest of the day, and most of the following day.
Secondly, I discovered that when one shares the road with cars, and one is only on a flimsy bike wearing a flimsy helmet, one better have one’s last will and testament in order. Talk about taking your life in your own hands. To the driver of the navy blue jeep, thanks for nearly introducing me to Jesus.
Despite my nearly tragic death, I did have fun, got a sweet looking tan, and re-introduced myself to my calf muscles. It was a good experience. But it also held for me a valuable lesson about overcoming obstacles.
Muskoka has a lot of hills. If you have ever driven up there, you are likely aware of this. The landscape rolls, and thus the roads that dissect it, roll too. There is nothing more intimidating when you are on a bike, than coming around a corner and seeing a hill on the horizon that looks like its only purpose is to rob you of your will to live. But what I discovered, is that as you approach the hill, it slowly but surely begins to flatten out, and when you get to it, it ends up being a little more than a speed bump with an attitude. The hills of course don’t but what changes is your perspective. What looks like something insurmountable when it is far away, becomes something that with a little extra push and focus, can be tamed.
On Friday of this week I am moving. It has been a long time coming. Months ago when I contemplated the move, it seemed like a mountain almost too steep to climb. And yet, as the day has gotten closer, the mountain is starting to flatten and I realize that with a little extra push and focus, I will get over it.
The Good Book puts it this way, “run the race that is set before you with determination – for the moment it may feel more painful than pleasant, yet it yields goodness and peace.” (Hebrews 12)
Riding a bike isn’t much different than living a life. The key is to never let the hills intimidate you. Everything can be overcome if you keep your focus, lean into the wind and never stop peddling. The hills will flatten out the closer you get, and before you know, you will be on the other side. And you will feel like a champion!!