HOW MANY CHARITY RIDES SHOULD I DO THIS YEAR?
DURING THE LAST MILE OF THE LAST LAP, in a tough battle for second place, we entered a nest of high speed berms. I made it through cleanly...
... another racer didn't fare as well.
I could hear his tire give way,
glanced over to see his legs in the air,
followed by a gnashing of machinery and body.
Should I stop?
My competitor got around him,
kept charging hard after me.
I was thinking about that today after an order for JDRF came through. JDRF is a charity that helps those in a real battle...
... of life and death.
JDRF isn't just putting on ride to raise money to cure Type 1 diabetes, they are connecting people who might not otherwise get to know each other. People from varied backgrounds, religions, political philosophies...
... are united in a common cause.
Uniting our hearts and minds is always an offshoot of charity.
This is why we are encouraged, commanded to be charitable. Yes, to help each other for sure. More importantly to unite us and see each other's humanity through working together.
I didn't stop to help the fallen racer.
I told myself, I'll be finished in less than a minute and will report it as soon as I cross the line.
Here's the shame of it.
At the line were Surfergirl and our son and grandson. The other person's pain and potentially bad injury were quickly forgotten.
Was he okay?
Yes, for sure. No ambulances were called or medics alerted.
Should I have stopped?
I dunno.
We were all racing, all doing our dangest to finish fast. We know the dangers. 97% of the time, we pop up and ride on...
... shaken, bruised, not broken.
Had it not been a race, I would have stopped for sure.
But, is that even true?
How often am I racing past people in need every day.
I have a friend who brings an extra bar on every ride and makes it a goal to find someone who might be hungry to give it to.
I have others who stop for any flat or mishap and help out.
As I complete my 61st lap around the sun, I ask myself...
How many more rides will present an opportunity to be charitable, to meet someone new, to possibly be of service...
... and unite our hearts and minds, even for a moment?
https://pedalindustries.com/pages/raceday-ready
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163ish
8 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
0 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248
https://www.instagram.com/pedalindustries
https://twitter.com/pedalindustries
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164ish
7.5 hrs Sleep
0 Strength training
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
https://www.strava.com/athletes/10248