I was struggling.
I was struggling.
It was my second day of riding, with the first day being 100 miles over lots of Western Pennsylvania hills. We were 45 or so miles along and enjoying a flat section following a river, but I couldn’t quite keep the pace any longer. The group was holding fairly well together, but they were up ahead of me and I was slowly following behind.
At that point a couple of riders peeled away and rode back to join me. “Want to draft off of us? We realized that you were behind and having to do all the work by yourself.” With that my energy and speed picked up and I slowly got closer again to the pack. It’s sure a lot more fun riding together than alone.
That lesson describes the deeper experience of Bikemovement for me. As an “older” adult, I often find myself alone in the church and struggling. The youthful idealism and energy of our generation is dissipating. My wife and I share the same concerns, questions and passions of these young adults. Yet, we need some energy, someone to “draft off of” at this point in life, someone to inject new energy and enthusiasm into our journey. You have done that for us.
Our prayer and our longing in the future is that the “conversation” and momentum you have kicked off will help invigorate the wider church and get us moving again as a “pack” through time and space in this adventure that life and church are supposed to be. Thanks for allowing us to participate!
August 26th, 2006 at 2:19 am
Russ.
Thanks for the encouraging words that you have for bikemovement and young adults everywhere. This intergenerational cooperation is what might keep this church together in the next few years as we teeter together on the fence of (mis)understanding. Please know too that most of us young adults couldn’t do what we’re trying to do without the “drafting” that we do off of you older folks who are up for our antics.
I was real disappointed to see that you were going to be joining Bikemovement after I had ducked out. My sister came home from China and I had to get some time with her and the family. I saw the picture on the website of you and your family and I was even more disappointed. I hope you had a good experience and I look forward to the next chance I’ll have to see you.
Tim Showalter.