The Hundred Pound Rose

The Hundred Pound Rose

The 100th pound is shed!

A church I attended years ago encouraged people to pray over a situation in their life that would require a miracle to resolve.  Each person would take a rose, pictured here, and return it to the church when the miracle occurs.  The rose I took is in the mail, heading back to the church from which it was taken, and I wrote this poem celebrating the miracle that has occurred in my life.

It represents a miraculous prayer

A prayer rose held for a decade

"Lord help me lose weight and get in shape"

But neither happened

Not because You're unfaithful to me

But me to you

Today, however, the rose blossoms

One hundred pounds lighter

On my knees, head bowed, I humbly return

The hundred pound rose

Back to the church which challenged me to pray

A miraculous prayer

My burden lifted by Your grace

All praise, glory, and honor to You, my Father

God of Israel

Thank You for Your faithfulness

Thank You for encouraging friends

Thank You for inspiring trainers

Thank You most of all for a supportive wife

Thank You for blessing me in so many ways

Now Lord, with a healthy body, I ask this question

What would You have me do for Your Kingdom?

Lord, I am Your servant and

I am willing to accept whatever You want for my life

I SURRENDER TO YOUR WILL AND WAYS

A Good Sign

Before getting into the past week I’m asking, for those of you who do such a thing, for you to start praying for Simon’s health.  Simon is the person organizing the Tour du Burundi and he has been suffering from fatigue for the past four weeks.  Normally I would make a joke here about Simon making it up to get out of riding but this is serious stuff and he needs big-time prayer support.  Thanks.

Now the week and what a great week it was!  Contributions jumped up to $6,375 this week, $12,750 when factoring in my employer's matching contribution.  Just $3,625 of your contributions away from the $20,000 goal.  It will happen and it's so exciting to think about the positive impact that kind of money will have on the Gitega International Academy and the students.  A big thanks to the anonymous donor out there.  Would love to thank you personally but you know who you are and I appreciate your donation very much.

This weekend's riding had one goal in mind: replicate riding Day 1 and 2 in Burundi.  From Simon's description of the route and one of the rider's elevation chart, Day 1 is a flat 75 mile ride and Day 2 is a Mount Diablo-like climb, and that's what I set out to do.

A flat 75 mile ride means I head east, good old Altamont-lined-with-windmills Road.  This is the "Drafting Jesus" road.  Riding east is a pleasure and I look for signs of the ferocity of the wind I will face when I turn around at Mountain House Bar.  My clearest indication was a tarp that was stuck on a barbed-wire fence.  That puppy was snapping in the wind like no other and my deep philosophical thought at that moment, "yikes!".

Well let me tell you, the tarp did not lie.  Turning around and heading west.....ho-chi-mama!  Nasty, brutal wind and I was immediately in my easiest gear on a road with a slight upgrade but nothing that would normally require that low of a gear.   Took me an hour to ride 8 miles.  It normally takes a half an hour.  I even had to pedal on the downhills just to keep moving.  Typically, when I reach a motorcycle dirt track just outside the canyon I’ve just been through the wind dies down and things get back to normal.  Not this day.

Cycling West: headwind.  Cycling South: headwind.  Cycling North: headwind.  Cycling East: well who cares because I was done with my westerly riding early that day.  So yes, wind can blow in three directions at the same time, at least it felt like it.  So I did 77 miles Saturday and I got a much better workout than I expected because of all the wind.  Yes, I get to ride into the wind and I should be thankful I'm not riding in snow.  In fact, I am.  I just like to whine from time to time.

So with Saturday under my belt I went out Sunday to climb Diablo.  In my mind it was to the top or failure.  I had to prove to myself that I could do back to back riding of this nature or risk doubt that I would ever get in shape to tackle the entirety of the Tour du Burundi.

Sunday was a beautiful day and nowhere near the wind of Saturday.  So beautiful that I left my leg warmers at home, wore a short-sleeved jersey, and stuffed my jacket in my back pocket just in case it was cold at the top and I wanted it for my descent.

I tried this very same Saturday-Sunday combo two weeks ago and only made it to the Junction so I knew what my legs might feel like this Sunday.  Well I'm  pleased to report I felt much better as I rode up to the Junction and after a short water break I started out on the last 4.5 miles of the ascent not knowing how my legs would react.

There are clear goals over the last 4.5 miles.  2.5 miles up and you’re at the Juniper vista point and only 2 miles to go but a steep grade ahead.  1 more mile and you hit Devil's Elbow, a 180 degree turn and significant because the grade decreases at that point and you know you will make it....almost.  The last 300 feet is a 17% grade that I have never been able to ride up.

I made it to Juniper and I made it to Devil's Elbow but stopped at the last 300 feet.....by design.  The last thing I need to do at this stage of my training is attempt that last climb and fall over because I'm going so slow and re-injure my separated shoulder.  At the top I was greeted by this view.  I was hoping you could see San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance but I have to say I took the picture and I can’t even see them.  Well, you get the point.  I was at the top!!

This ride was a huge psychological lift for me!!!  Knowing I can do rides like this back to back gives me great confidence for Day 1 and 2 in Burundi.

You know what else would be a huge psychological lift?  Seeing the last $3,625 donated over the next two weeks to reach the $20,000 goal.  It's like we are at the Juniper vista point of fund raising.  We have a mile of steep incline to go but it gets easier after that.  Let's get through the last training and fundraising together and set our sights on doing the Tour and giving $20,000 to the Gitega International Academy!

And quickly, a weight-loss update.  I'm down 3 pounds this week and just 3 away from reaching another goal: 100 pounds shed from this frame of mine!

Thanks for reading this!

Inspiration from Across the Pond. Twice.

Rode to the Junction Saturday morning.  Left the house around 7 am and enjoyed a very peaceful ride.  That time in the morning there are few cars on the road, especially once on the mountain.  Also, when I hit 1000 feet I was riding in the clouds.  Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes not so good.  This time it was the former as the clouds actually made it warmer than the temperature at the base of the mountain.  It was great but couldn't go to the summit as we had plans to celebrate my mom’s 89th birthday and I couldn't be late for the party.

Sunday departures are usually around 11 am.  After church.  My wife and I had to take care of something so my departure was delayed.  The morning weather started out nice but by the time we left church clouds had rolled in and it looked like rain.  I had Redwood Road in mind, 48 miles and 2500 feet of climbing but I didn't want to go because of the weather.  Then I thought about one of my fellow riders, Paul, training in England.  It’s been an unusually cold spring where he lives, but not only is he riding in cold temperatures, he is riding in snow.  Check out the picture he sent.  When I thought of what he does to train I got on my bike and started riding.  He is truly an inspiration to pansy-boy Burundi Dave.

About half way into the ride I was feeling pretty good and as I approached a fork in the road, right toward home or left up a hill and about 8 additional miles more than I planned when I set out, I thought of Paul riding in the snow.  I went left and said out loud, "This one is for you Paul".  So I did 56 miles Sunday and around 3000 feet of climbing and am very grateful to have a rider on the other side of the world with enough drive to inspire me.  So good!

So Paul, I thank you for your inspiring training and I dedicate Sunday's ride to you.

Also inspiring are those of you that have given your hard earned money to support the Tour du Burundi and the Gitega International Academy.  Thank you so much!  Those of you that are waiting to donate, wait no longer.  I leave for Burundi in just over a month and it's time to take full advantage of my employer's offer to match every dollar contributed up to $10,000.  There is free money just waiting to be donated but I need your help to take full advantage of it.  And remember, your donation is tax deductible.

Weighed in today and lost another two pounds.  Just six from my goal of one hundred pounds lost.  So close!

Thanks so much for reading this and being part of a wonderful adventure!

And please, grab your credit card and let your dollars go twice as far!!

Drafting Jesus

Had to tighten my bike helmet's chinstrap before last weekend's ride, so one of two things is happening: either I'm using less hair gel, highly unlikely, or one of my chins has gone missing.  Pretty sure it's the latter.

Saturday's ride was designed with one thought in mind: Day 1 of riding in Burundi.  Simon told us it was a flat 122 kilometers (75 miles) riding south along Lake Tanganyika, so I was looking to do a similar ride sans Burundi's heat and humidity.  Rides like that mean one thing: Eastward on Altamont Pass Road.  This is the same road my riding buddy took a fall on and broke his collar bone and it's the same road that's flanked by windmills and the wind typically blows east.  BTW my riding buddy is on the mend and hopes to join me on some rides before I depart for Burundi, which, is less than six weeks away!  Looking forward to having him back and healthy!!

So I'm cruising on Altamont Pass Road, feeling no wind, and that means only one thing.  The wind is at my back.  I started looking for clues to back up my hypothesis.  Clue 1: rounding a corner the first set of windmills came into view and all of them were facing me, pointed into the wind, and they were cranked up.  Clue 2:  the cyclists coming toward me were riding in tight single file lines, a technique called drafting, where the lead rider takes the brunt of the wind which lightens the burden for the riders that follow.  It really works and let me tell you when you've done your pull at the front and drop to the back of the line you take a huge inhale and can pedal easier because the other riders are literally pulling you along.  Clue 3:  about half way to the turnaround point, the Mountain House Bar, an approaching cyclist yells out these words of encouragement, "I hope you're not coming back this way".  My thought, I might as well enjoy these last few miles because I was, indeed, ‘coming back this way’.

After a few minutes of rest in the Mountain House Bar parking lot, pictured here, it was time to head back on Altamont Pass Road and find out just how bad this headwind really is.  Having never been inside the Mountain House Bar I'm not sure of the clientele, but I can tell you I was there one Saturday morning on a ride and the Hells Angels were there preparing for an event.  Also there, across the parking lot, bail bondsman trucks.  Hmmm, what might that mean?

Leaving the parking lot, one thing was clear, the wind was an issue, a big issue, and I was riding alone with no one to draft.  Turning around and leaving the parking lot is like flipping a switch on the wind machine.  Amazing!  As I started out I could hear the cyclist’s words in my head, "I hope you're not coming back this way, way, way....".  Well I am, am, am because it is the only way back and I want to get back, so I make myself as small as possible, find a comfortable gear, and start grinding.

This is a six mile stretch with an elevation gain of about 500 feet.  Nothing big but the incline seems magnified because of the wind.  I start thinking about the parallels between life and riding a bicycle.  On my way out to the Mountain House Bar, wind at my back, life was great!  When the wind is at your back in life, enjoy the ride.  Be thankful for who you are, how you were created with unique gifts and talents that benefit you and those around you, should you choose to use your gifts to their fullest potential.

When riding into a headwind I want a riding partner whom I can draft.  It doesn't make the wind go away, it just lightens the burden.  As a Christian, I have a riding partner, more of an advocate I'd say, in the person of Jesus.  He's there whether the wind is at my back or I'm facing one of life's headwinds.  I can choose to go it alone when life is challenging or I can listen to Jesus when the wind is whipping and he says something like, "Dave, why don't you let me pull out in front of you, let me lead, and you draft me?  I know the best path for your life.  Will you follow me?". Always the gentleman, He always asks, never demands.

When I accept His offer and tuck in behind him, the wind doesn't necessarily die down but my burden is always lifted as Jesus is there for me, cutting though the wind.  Like riding outside, I physically take a deep breath of relief when I choose to draft Jesus.  I wish I could state that I follow Jesus 100% of the time, always following His path for my life, but that would not be a true statement.  The good news, whether I follow his path or not, is He loves me just the same.  It's the unconditional love He has for me I spoke of in an earlier post.

His unconditional love is what gives me hope when I choose a path that is not consistent with his plan.  And hope is a good thing.  Sometimes it’s the best of things.  When I don't follow Him he waits.  When I fall, he picks me up, dusts me off, and generally asks something like, "Did you learn anything?".  And then I feel His loving hug.

Won't go any deeper than that but to say Jesus is available to you too regardless of the path you've been on.  Maybe it's time to draft Jesus and let him lead.  I know He loves you unconditionally and wants you to give your burdens over to him.  I pray for you all that time to make a decision like that.

Back to the ride….So I survived the wind tunnel known as Altamont Pass Road and by the time I got home I ended up doing 77 miles!  A good day indeed!

Went out Sunday morning with the intent of climbing to Diablo’s summit.  The only other time I rode Diablo on Easter Sunday was about 10 years ago and when I made it to the summit I was alone.  I’m looking north when I turned around and there is a guy there standing outside his beat up old car.  I did not hear him pull up and my first thought was, “I’m a dead man”.  He was looking out over the valley and said, “This is my church”.  My next thought, “Okay this guy is either an angel or I’m a dead man”.  He walked over to me, handed me a tulip and said, “Pray for someone”.  I turned around and the guy was gone.  I know, strange, but if you want strange, sometime I’ll tell you about the wild stuff I’ve seen in Africa.

So I’m standing on Diablo’s summit with my bicycle, tulip in hand.  I wrap the stem around my brake cables and head home where I put the flower in a vase.  It lasted 3 weeks and was perfect the entire time.  I have no idea who that guy was and I wish I could tell you what it means but I haven’t a clue.  Maybe I need Joseph from the Old Testament to come back and interpret for me.

Riding this past Easter morning I had no such experience but I did learn my thighs aren’t ready for 77 miles one day and the Diablo Summit the next but I did make it to the Junction without stopping which is an improvement over last week so I’m calling it a victory.  Also, yesterday marked day 5 in a row of some sort of cycling.  Three days indoors and two outdoors.  I’ve never done that before so I’m pretty pleased overall.

Also pleasing was yesterday’s weigh-in. Happy to report I dropped 4 pounds last week bringing my total to 92.  Just 8 from the big enchilada!!

Why do I keep referencing food?  Oy vey!

Thanks for your continued interest and have a great week!