Friday, January 24, 2014

Why I Ride

Do you ever question why you ride?

Over the last year I questioned my riding a lot.  Is it selfish to spend so much time on a bike?  What's the purpose?  Should I be spending that time and money to help others instead?  For me those are pretty tough questions, but over time I've come to believe more strongly than ever that riding is definitely one of the things God made me to do.

When I was first racing there was a strong sense of trying to prove something, trying to prove that I could be somebody.  But that was 15 years ago and that kind of teenage motivation is long gone.  Sure I've done well at some races and got some attention for my riding.  We all seek the approval of others whether we realize it or not, we even keep tabs on how many facebook likes we can get from last weekend's podium pic... But mountain bike racing is the opposite of a glamorous sport and that hasn't kept me going.    I surely haven't kept riding to make money.

I ride because God gave me a gift and we're called to make the most of the gifts the Lord has given us.

I ride because God has blessed me in so many amazing ways through racing.

I ride because I have faith that the Lord still has plans in store for me that are greater than I can even imagine.

It only takes a couple minutes of looking back to realize that riding is one of the most meaningful things I do with my life.  Of all things it was a Texas A&M Cycling Team Pub Crawl where I met my wife Beth.  Racing was something for my family to do together and brought us closer together.  All of my best friends I know through racing.  I'm healthy!  I've been able to travel to countless beautiful places on my bike.  The busier my life gets the more riding brings balance to my day.  And I'm starting to see more and more opportunities to help others through riding...

So why do you ride?


3 comments:

  1. I know why I should ride, but I don't always do it. God has blessed me with the ability to ride, and a love for mountain biking. He didn't do that so I could simply have fun doing it for my own benefit.

    Don't get me wrong...as long as I continue to see God as the source of the Joy, and praise the Lord and not the trail or the equipment, it is good to enjoy riding.

    But it is more than that.

    God wants me to glorify Him in my riding. This can be done in how I interact with others, how I treat trail closures, how I treat other trail users. It is a tool that God has given me. Actually, it's a tool he is letting me use. In the end it all belongs to Him.

    This is a challenge for me, and I need to stay close to God to make sure I don't go wandering off into Mountain Bike Idolatry. I'm at least as susceptible to shiny bike bits as the next guy.

    All that said, it is fun. It is immasterable, but I will always get better as long as I train and practice. It is a way for me to get out with friends or family and play. Playing is a good thing.

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  2. Great post Dana. I've also been trying to figure out why I ride...and more importantly...should I invest so much time in it. You make some great points for keeping involved and competing. Great race Saturday, it was fun racing with you! -Brent

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  3. Thanks Brent. Sorry I didn't have a chance to say hi after the race - just wanted to get myself and my girls out of the wind... Good job out there, it was good having someone to ride with. Definitely didn't feel like I was racing anything at the end though, just trying to survive!

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