If the days of this week have been characterised by something or other, one word would describe 
today - long. We rolled out of the motel at Redfield shortly after 7.00am at the tailend of a very heavy mist, and arrived in Newcomb high in the Adirondack Mountains, still in the state of New York, from just before 5.00pm onwards - 10 hours almost for some, up to 12 hours for others, and a couple had to be 'sagged' in from about 20 miles out.
today - long. We rolled out of the motel at Redfield shortly after 7.00am at the tailend of a very heavy mist, and arrived in Newcomb high in the Adirondack Mountains, still in the state of New York, from just before 5.00pm onwards - 10 hours almost for some, up to 12 hours for others, and a couple had to be 'sagged' in from about 20 miles out. It was also long because of the mileage - 123.4 to be exact, and the farthest I have ever ridden in one day. I haven't counted it up exactly, but Paul B was saying that we have ridden almost exactly 600 miles in 6 days. One of the other guys with a sophisticated bike computer said that today we climbed a total of 7200', with one hill at a 16% gradient. That means that for every six units of distance you go, you go up one, and it sure felt like it. That climbing total would equate to going up Sleve Croob from Newcastle, back down again and 
repeat four or five times. But I kept thinking about a verse (turns out it's in Psalm 147) which says: "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." The weather was mostly glorious, with a light wind which switched around but mostly didn't help us, and the scenery was magnificent. This is high lakes country, with the Moose River running through, dotted all along with little towns with landing stages and canoeing and kayaking businesses. Arek and I rode together again, and worked out a couple more metaphors for life that you can illustrate from a long-distance bike ride. One is the importance of not being a lone wolf. I t's discouraging on the ride to be on your own, and positively unhelpful if you are at the back. On the other hand, riding with a partner means you can encourage each other, help fix punctures (poor Fiona got three today), and work for each other by drafting.
repeat four or five times. But I kept thinking about a verse (turns out it's in Psalm 147) which says: "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." The weather was mostly glorious, with a light wind which switched around but mostly didn't help us, and the scenery was magnificent. This is high lakes country, with the Moose River running through, dotted all along with little towns with landing stages and canoeing and kayaking businesses. Arek and I rode together again, and worked out a couple more metaphors for life that you can illustrate from a long-distance bike ride. One is the importance of not being a lone wolf. I t's discouraging on the ride to be on your own, and positively unhelpful if you are at the back. On the other hand, riding with a partner means you can encourage each other, help fix punctures (poor Fiona got three today), and work for each other by drafting.The second metaphor is that having support makes things so much easier. Yesterday a couple rolled into a stop we were at, and we got talking. Their bikes were so loaded that I was joking with 
them about whether they were moving house by bike, but it turned out they were doing the same route we had taken, unsupported, and had started a month earlier. Their bikes weighed about 80lb each, because they were camping and living on the road, where ours were about 25. So a support vehicle which can carry a bit of the load for you is crucial. In the christian life that might include church, a bible-study group, special teaching and worship conferences - times when you're not "riding" just with one or two others but meeting to rest and refresh together on better food and drink than you can usually get on your own.
them about whether they were moving house by bike, but it turned out they were doing the same route we had taken, unsupported, and had started a month earlier. Their bikes weighed about 80lb each, because they were camping and living on the road, where ours were about 25. So a support vehicle which can carry a bit of the load for you is crucial. In the christian life that might include church, a bible-study group, special teaching and worship conferences - times when you're not "riding" just with one or two others but meeting to rest and refresh together on better food and drink than you can usually get on your own.
Tonight we are in Newcomb at a beautiful spot called Harris Lake, hosted by Pastor Carol Ames and the United Methodist Church. Emma and I are staying in a cabin at the water's edge with a family from Albany - David & Marilyn Curtis and their daughter Sharon. David is an engineer who built the cabin himself, and it's very well done. 25' x 25', one room, peaked roof, with a mezzanine ledge above part of the main room for extra sleeping. There's also a big shed, where David and Marilyn are sleeping so that I can have their bed - which feels bad, but they absolutely insisted. They have several canoes, so we have already been out for a quick paddle. They are lovely Christian folks, strongly evangelical, and 
Sharon has done some stuff with YFC in the past. Will write again soon when more time. V late now. 
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