I'm sorry it took me a few days to post this ride report, I had a busy weekend. I wanted to thank Dewey and Will for coming out for the first time, it was cool to ride with you guys. Also thanks to kpilot and wildwillie for being trail riders for the groups. Thanks also to Andyr for leading a group.
We all met at the Starlite Diner talking a bit before going in for breakfast. It started out with 5 of us, but 5 more joined us to eat and six more were in the parking lot when we came out. After having a good breakfast and talking about work, family, and how both can get in the way of riding, we went outside. By the way, Kantos Kan, it was good to see you again. I hope you can get back on some wheels soon! For some folks this was the first ride they made all year, due to obligations.
After helping Andyr get his chain adjusted, we had our riders meeting and split into groups according to pace. Strangely enough, the lead group had 11 and the chase had 5; the exact opposite of last months ride. I had the lead group and andyr led the chase group. We did make it through the first light at the diner with no issues and I took that as a good sign. From there we went west into Berks county then north into Schuylkill county. As I was going, I was psyched for a good day of riding, I knew these roads and the conditions were good. Well, I was in for a surprise as I turned onto one road that was partially tarred and chipped. You know how you mentally prepare to ride a road? Well, I had to throw that plan out the window and watch my road surface much more closely. Even though the next couple of roads were like that, there was enough good surface that we could keep the pace brisk. Once we went through a coal town we could open up once again, we did hit some tarred and chipped areas but it wasn't as much.
We then crossed the Susquehanna, got gas at a Sheetz and had lunch at May's Family Restaurant in Berwick. Good food, good service, and reasonable prices; lunch was enjoyed by all. After we came out, it started dripping and we consulted the radar on some smart phones, (thanks Robert!) and cancelled the rest of the ride. Now the ironic part of this is two-fold: 1st, all last year we only had one ride cancelled due to weather and that was in February due to snow. Next, we have had one of the driest summers, but on three of the last four rides we have had rain, go figure! Oh well, you'll have days like these. Except for the naked bike guys teasing the guys with fairings that they had a windshield to hid behind, no one really fussed. We all did a gut check, and took it. No drama, no whining, and no crashes on this ride. How good the first part of the ride was, was worth putting up with rain on the way home. Well, we all said our good byes, split into groups according to route and headed back.
Now that the roads were wet, I rode on the tarred and chipped parts for more grip; most of the time that worked out. Sometimes it didn't because I had to position myself for the corner and ride on the smooth stuff. As we crossed over ridge after ridge, riders broke off heading for home until it was just me, frindle and JZ! As we were getting to cross over another ridge frindle broke off to get gas and said we didn't need to accompany him. I guess when the chase group got lost, they didn't stop for gas before lunch. JZ! and I made our way through Berks county where it finally stopped raining. We finally split off in Clayton and I got home around 2:30PM. Again, it was a pleasure riding with you guys, let's hope the weather is better in September! The Scripture shared after lunch follows, I'll have to rely on others that attended for pics, I forgot my camera. Sorry! Stay safe folks and enjoy the weather.
Scripture Readings for August 2011
Sometimes when we consider God and having relationship with Him we maybe turned off with the fact that there are too many mysteries. The Scriptures I'll share today will touch on that. The first is from Dueteronomy 29:29, where Moses is addressing the Israelites probably near the Promised Land. This passage briefly states that there are things that God keeps secret and things that are revealed to mankind.29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
The next passage is from the Gospel of John, chapter 13, verse 7. Jesus is about to wash Peter's feet, a lowly task normally done by a servant, to demonstrate humility and servanthood to His disciples. Peter is upset that his Lord would stoop to this lowly task, where Jesus states:
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
Why Jesus was doing this was a mystery to Peter, but someday he would understand.
The Book of Acts, chapter 1, verse 7 the disciples were asking Jesus, who had resurrected from the dead and was about to ascend to heaven, when He would return. Jesus said:
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know."
Here we see that there are things that God the Father keeps a mystery from us.
Finally, we go to Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, I Corinthians chapter 13, verse 12. This passage is from the "love chapter" and you have probably heard it read at many weddings.
12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
This letter addressed to Christians speaks about how now things are partial and incomplete, but when we go to heaven, all will be revealed. So how does one reconcile the mysteries and still come to God seeking relationship through Christ? By faith. The book of Hebrews 11:6 states:
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
It has been my experience that God draws you to Him or sends people into your path to point the way. When you come to Him by faith, He begins to reveal Himself to you. As you get to know Him more and read His word, He shows you things. I've been a Christian for over 30 years and God still reveals new things to me.
Well, that's all folks! I hope you have a great month and I hope to see you all again real soon.
