lets ride
I was in the mountains riding a few days ago. I could feel my pulse in my temples and drool was beginning to pool in my beard. The tension on my chain was what I imagined the jaws of a sizable animal capable of maintaining—I get this from what I have read about alligators. But my shadow climbed with me—cheering the whole thing on. Then, as I got to the top of a hill with a few gears leftover, I thought how I would have no gears left had I been carrying equipment. I have settled into the idea of riding LA»GR and my thoughts are in a similar place as they were when I was preparing for the AT. It is going to happen, like a prophet announces the destruction of a city, it will take some serious intervention to prevent it. So thoughts race to the details, thinking thought each component to a ride of this kind. Maybe it works like an engagement? The consummation being some time off while in the time leading up to a wedding there is preparation, binding that occurs, so that, the first step in ultimate togetherness is a natural one.
Natural… or rather fruitful.
I’m going to ride a ton this year and will collect some of the frustrations and fears along the way here. My hope is that this prodigal project is aimed toward restoration. I’m riding my bike home, so along the way and in the process of preparation, Ill be reflecting on what it is to come home, what home is, and how all of this hits the ground in the lives we live together as people. This is for me an exploration—going places I haven’t gone inside and venturing out to do something that is a bit unorthodox —in an effort to explore open spaces with creativity. Truth and experiences are nuanced enough for people to experience them in their own way, so, I am inviting friends and strangers into a conversation concerning the restorative work that is among us all, which is loving us toward a new view and an open eye to the horizon. As a friend has reminded me, lets follow the fruit—allowing hope to get hold of us and take us somewhere. I suspect this hope is less interested in religiosity and more interested in generosity. More concerned with being that doing. So lets ride.
