Dear First Assembly Family,
For the last couple of weeks, I have been following the Tour de France. For those who may not be familiar, it is the most highly regarded bicycle race in the world. There are 21 days of racing with two days of rest scheduled in. Most days are over 100 miles, some substantially so. Other days are time trials, that is, every rider leaves the starting line at different times. Ideally, they will never see another rider on the course. They compete without seeing their competition. They must simply do the best they can. Today’s race stage was the last stage in the Pyrenees Mountains. Being a bicyclist, but not a racer, I love to watch the race when possible. When I found that I would be home this morning, I had to tune in. From Pau to Col du Tourmalet, the latter being a mountain ascending to almost 7000 feet elevation, is 108 miles. This last climb of the day, the last 11.56 miles of the stage, averages 7 ½ % and is nearly 9% at the end. I watched the two leaders, battle it out up the mountain, after having ridden over a hundred miles today alone and having climbed over 10,000 feet on this their 4th day in the Pyrenees. Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck left the rest of the racers looking like they were sitting still. They both wanted the win. Legs aching, lungs burning, only their determination left to drive them forward.
And you think you’ve fought the good fight. Yes! You are climbing a mountain that makes your legs burn, your heart race, leaves your lungs gasping for a little more air. You don’t think you can make it. But look up! The finish line is just ahead!
For the last couple of weeks, I have been following the Tour de France. For those who may not be familiar, it is the most highly regarded bicycle race in the world. There are 21 days of racing with two days of rest scheduled in. Most days are over 100 miles, some substantially so. Other days are time trials, that is, every rider leaves the starting line at different times. Ideally, they will never see another rider on the course. They compete without seeing their competition. They must simply do the best they can. Today’s race stage was the last stage in the Pyrenees Mountains. Being a bicyclist, but not a racer, I love to watch the race when possible. When I found that I would be home this morning, I had to tune in. From Pau to Col du Tourmalet, the latter being a mountain ascending to almost 7000 feet elevation, is 108 miles. This last climb of the day, the last 11.56 miles of the stage, averages 7 ½ % and is nearly 9% at the end. I watched the two leaders, battle it out up the mountain, after having ridden over a hundred miles today alone and having climbed over 10,000 feet on this their 4th day in the Pyrenees. Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck left the rest of the racers looking like they were sitting still. They both wanted the win. Legs aching, lungs burning, only their determination left to drive them forward.
And you think you’ve fought the good fight. Yes! You are climbing a mountain that makes your legs burn, your heart race, leaves your lungs gasping for a little more air. You don’t think you can make it. But look up! The finish line is just ahead!
Lovingly,
Pastor Hart
Last Updated (Monday, 26 July 2010 12:15)