Paying Closer Attention!
Now that it is
getting warmer here in Michigan, our “Slow Roll” bicycle group
has started up again. This is a group of 10-15 people that meet in
the parking lot of the local senior center every Tuesday night at
5:30 pm. On most Tuesdays, we make a loop around the neighborhoods
bordering the center, about ten miles at the most. We have a very
capable leader, Myron, who plans the route, informs everyone where
we’ll be going and then once on the ride makes sure that the group
stays together and is safe. Once a month, we meet at a trailhead on
the outskirts of the city.
I am gaining more
confidence with each ride, but haven’t always had good experiences,
from the time I crashed my brother’s brand new ten speed into the
car parked across the street, to the first slow roll ride last summer
when I bumped into Al’s bike from behind and knocked him over! It’s
not the bicycle’s fault—just the rider, who tends to be naturally
klutsy…or maybe easily distracted.
A few of us met up
for one of the Tuesday night rides recently, looking forward to
getting away from the constant flow of traffic on city streets. It
was a nice day, cool enough to be comfortable and not too crowded as
we started down the graveled path. There were a few other bicyclists,
joggers and people walking dogs; so it was necessary to be alert and
ready to slow down or maneuver around them if necessary.
However, there
weren’t enough obstacles in the path to be a problem, except for
the three round red poles that were placed in the ground a couple of
feet apart every time the trail came to a street crossing. The poles
weren’t really a problem either. There was enough distance to ride
between them as long as we slowed down. Their purpose was to deter
cars from driving onto the trail and also to alert people using it to
the intersections, some of which were very busy.
The part of the
trail we took wound through a nature preserve and skirted a small
lake. There were pond turtles sunning themselves on logs as we passed
by. It took concentration to stay on the path! We even had to go
around one adventuresome turtle who had decided to cross from one
side to the other. Such a welcome sight though and a nice change for
us city dwellers.
After about four
miles, we stopped for a hydration break and then turned around to go
back to our cars. I crossed one last intersection, keeping my eyes
open for vehicles in the road and then looked ahead to the three
poles. But instead of going around the middle one, I rode right into
it and ended up on the ground! What a surprise! I had to laugh.
Running into the pole? Really?
Well, the bike was
bent a little and I was bruised a little, but thankfully nothing more
drastic happened. The whole group did an about-face and Al gave me a
hand up. After Myron straightened the bent bicycle, we were able to
get on our way again. I only had a pulled muscle and a few bruises as
reminders to pay attention to what I was doing!
Students in school
are very familiar with the command, “Pay attention!” How many
times do they hear it during the day? Since learning doesn’t end
with graduation, this is one lesson that I am still trying to master.
Whether it involves watching the road or trail, listening to people
who are speaking to me, taking what I read in the Bible to heart,
being alert to what the Lord is telling me to do or not to do,
noticing the miracles in the world around me...I need to pay better
attention! Help me Lord!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4: 25-27 NIV
Dear Judy, I can see from your pictures how pretty the scenery on your ride is so I understand why one might get distracted. I had similar experiences on skis in the years when I was still learning. During a lesson I couldn’t stop my skis and I slid (skied) right through the red netting fence marking the end of the ski school area. My instructor wasn’t too pleased with me. Thankfully, the good Lord gave me the determination to keep skiing because it became one of my favorite activities. Keep riding, Judy! And remember, look where you want to go, not at what you wish to avoid.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I thought I’d better tell you that “boots and jeans” is Tina Kurtz
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, Thanks for the good advice. I'll remember to do that. Our slow roll bike group members have had lots of falls. We need to figure out how to get air bags into the handlebars! Hugs to youxoxoxo love Judy
ReplyDelete