jppe
Okay, maybe I think too much and use too many parables. Maybe I'm just trying to help PB with some fodder for future sermons. Maybe you folks are just good listeners. Anyway here goes.
I did the 100 mile Blackberry Cobbler ride yesterday. It was the the 3rd of a series. On the first one I got dropped by the group at about 25 miles but was able to catch back up later. On the second one I got dropped by the group at about 75 miles and the last 25 miles were really, really tough finishing solo into a headwind.
Yesterday I was riding much stronger and was still with the group at about the 85 mile mark. At that point I had one pretty tough hill in front of me and I really wanted to stay with the group. If I could get up that hill and still be with the group, I knew I could hang with them the next 10 miles as it would be pretty flat. By staying with them I could cover the remaining mileage to the finish in much less time and with even less effort.
I was giving it all I had going up that hill but was slowly falling off the wheel in front of me. Suddenly someone to my left side gave me a firm but gentle push on my back or left side that gave me just the right amount of momentum to stay with the bike in front of me. I closed the little gap (just over a bike length) and was right where I wanted to be at the top of the hill. I was working so hard I didn't even have time to see who it was that gave me the nudge as we stayed pretty much in "formation" to the top of the hill. That little nudge meant an awful lot of me. It was just enough help to literally get me over the hill. Obviously someone who was a stronger rider than me saw the effort I was making and cared enough to offer a helping hand. It was just what I needed and at the right time. It was a very simple but wonderful act of kindness.
In this season of giving, it just made me think that there are probably a lot of folks around us that could use a "little nudge". I bet we see the opportunities everyday but just don't think to act. We 50+ ers are particularly in an excellent position to offer a hand because of many reasons-skills, knowledge, resources, been there ourselves, etc. Next time you encounter a situation on or off the bike where someone could use a nudge, think about lending a helping hand. It might just mean an awful lot more to them than we might think.
Sorry for the "sermon" and the parable but I feel better.......Just trying to get more in the seasonal spirit!!
I did the 100 mile Blackberry Cobbler ride yesterday. It was the the 3rd of a series. On the first one I got dropped by the group at about 25 miles but was able to catch back up later. On the second one I got dropped by the group at about 75 miles and the last 25 miles were really, really tough finishing solo into a headwind.
Yesterday I was riding much stronger and was still with the group at about the 85 mile mark. At that point I had one pretty tough hill in front of me and I really wanted to stay with the group. If I could get up that hill and still be with the group, I knew I could hang with them the next 10 miles as it would be pretty flat. By staying with them I could cover the remaining mileage to the finish in much less time and with even less effort.
I was giving it all I had going up that hill but was slowly falling off the wheel in front of me. Suddenly someone to my left side gave me a firm but gentle push on my back or left side that gave me just the right amount of momentum to stay with the bike in front of me. I closed the little gap (just over a bike length) and was right where I wanted to be at the top of the hill. I was working so hard I didn't even have time to see who it was that gave me the nudge as we stayed pretty much in "formation" to the top of the hill. That little nudge meant an awful lot of me. It was just enough help to literally get me over the hill. Obviously someone who was a stronger rider than me saw the effort I was making and cared enough to offer a helping hand. It was just what I needed and at the right time. It was a very simple but wonderful act of kindness.
In this season of giving, it just made me think that there are probably a lot of folks around us that could use a "little nudge". I bet we see the opportunities everyday but just don't think to act. We 50+ ers are particularly in an excellent position to offer a hand because of many reasons-skills, knowledge, resources, been there ourselves, etc. Next time you encounter a situation on or off the bike where someone could use a nudge, think about lending a helping hand. It might just mean an awful lot more to them than we might think.
Sorry for the "sermon" and the parable but I feel better.......Just trying to get more in the seasonal spirit!!