I Never Claimed to Be Brave

Journeys by bicycle. Bicycle rides. Riding on two wheels. I like to ride bikes. Do you want to go ride bikes? Hey, that sounds like a fun summer activity. Let's go for a ride next weekend providing the weather holds out. It's a nice day for a bike ride. The parks are beautiful this time of year. I'm too scared to ride in the street. Let's ride on the sidewalk. Or...better yet, let's ride the opposite way in the bike lane! But wait, there's cars. How do we get there from here? Can we make it? What if we get lost? It's too hot; it's too cold. Do I have enough food? What happens if I get a flat? I'll get homesick. I don't know about this. Let's stay home. I'm tired. I'm sore. My legs hurt. My butt hurts. I'm burned. I'm numb. It's too dangerous. I'll get robbed. I'm not fit enough. I'll get sick. I'll get dizzy. What will happen to me? Is this fun? Will I have enough money? What happens when I run out? It's too remote. I'll get lonely. I'm just not ready. Please, help. What will happen next? The unknown beckons like a toothache...Will I make it? What, how, where, when, why...who?

How do I ride my bicycle thousands of miles across town, through cities, across deserts, over mountains, through valleys and across countries?

Well, I'll tell you one thing: I never claimed to be brave.

 I never claimed to be brave. I have been told I possess courage. And maybe I do. I don't know. What I do know is that life comes and life goes in the blink of an eye and before you know it, it's gone. I undertake journeys by bicycle because I get to see new places, meet new people, log new memories. I get to challenge myself, learn about myself and my world, think about heaven and earth and all that's in it. I get to sing praises to my LORD even when the situations seem grim. I get to accomplish what I don't think I would be able to.

"If you know you will succeed, it's too easy."

There's something to be said about challenges. How else are we to grow? If we remain in the boat, how are we to grow and stretch like Gumby? Answer? We can't. I leave for another bike adventure in seven weeks time and as I write this I do not feel ready. I don't feel that great and if I were to leave tomorrow and hop on my bike I don't think I'd get very far, but that will not stop me. Somehow, I make it down the road and down another road until I get to the place where I set up my tent for the night. The next day I repeat. Each pedal stroke is a perfect circle that takes me further and further along my path.

"...and if you do (return), you will not be the same." - Gandalf

I never claimed to be brave. What I want to say is that I am a normal person like you. Whatever normal looks like in your world, I don't know. Nothing is truly normal I suppose. But I am not an elite cyclist. I am not an avid athlete. I am not "Mr. Exercise." There is not a strict diet I stick to. I am not an "adventurer" like you would think of. But I am determined. I do have courage. I do have hope. And I pray. I pray a lot. To God. And He answers. I am like you, the reader. I am but a mere human on a bicycle. Do I get scared? Yes. Oh yes, do I ever get scared! Do I get cold? Hot? Yes, yes. Danger rears its head. I get uncomfortable. I don't mean to discourage you from your own adventures, but isn't that what adventure is? Adventure cannot happen without an element of danger and risk and the unknown. Adventure happens when you least expect it. When mishaps happen and you are not ready for them. I never claimed to be brave. I go on these long treks because I believe I can. These are the things I remember long after they happen. The summers I do not go on adventures are the ones that blend together and I forget. I remember when I bicycled down the Pacific Coast of the USA and when I rode through the deserts and canyons of California, Nevada and Utah. Boy, did they make good memories. Granted, there were some not so great ones, but again...that's adventure. Often people tell me they wish they could do what I do or that I'm a better man than they or that they will never be able to do that. I say that's rubbish talk! The only reason you say those things is because you believe those things and that is why they will come true. It is truly remarkable what we can accomplish if we just do it. Nike's slogan had it right. Just Do It! Everything else will fall into place. God will protect you. And you will have an adventure of a lifetime. Perhaps, even get hooked and start planning phase two!

I never claimed to be brave. I have only claimed to be a person who travels by bicycle. And you can do the same. Just know you can. Believe in yourself. Have faith. If anyone should stay home and not hop in the saddle it should be me. I get dizzy spells often and it is quite unpleasant when they happen on the road. Balance goes wacky and my head spins. My reasonable thoughts vanish and all reality goes kaput until I find a suitable resting spot. I am never in super shape. The bike takes care of that. I like to eat and eat I do. Food finds itself and I find food. Water is a vital commodity and I drink lots of it to keep me moving...and move I do. That's the key...or at least one key...to move...keep moving, but don't forget to rest which is equally important.

Become brave with me. Be strong and courageous for the LORD your God is with you. Take up the bike and ride down your street, turn left or turn right and follow that until you come to the end of your town and into the country...until you come to the end of the country - and you have done it. You rode off into the sunset and have arrived at journey's end. And the best part? You want to do it again!