New Life Riders Prepare

New Life bicycle riders are preparing this spring.  Each one of us is preparing in his/her own way.  Julie is running a lot.  Before she rides RAGBRAI, she hopes to complete the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN this June.  Corrine is riding bike like a champion: this past Saturday she completed the 100 mile ride in Marshalltown.  Pastor Rick is cranking his bike up lots of hills, trying to get ready for the big climbs of the Colorado Rockies.  Bill, a farmer who lives near Oskaloosa, endured a cold and wet spring.  He did battle with the ground and the weather.  Now that he's got his crops planted he can concentrate on riding his bicycle.  No worries: Bill is a RAGBRAI veteran and knows the drill quite well.

Front: Julie.  Back: Corrine, Bill & Pastor Rick

We're a split squad this year.  Bill, Corrine & Julie are doing RAGBRAI across the state of Iowa.  (RAGBRAI = Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) This year's RAGBRAI route goes right through these familiar towns in central Iowa: Des Moines, Monroe, Knoxville, Pella, and Oskaloosa.  This means that local riders will be able to sleep in their own beds for a night or two.  This is huge because it's far better than sweating it out in a tent during the dog days of summer.  Meanwhile, Pastor Rick is going West to ride.  Only a few weeks remain until Colorado's Ride the Rockies.  Pastor Rick is fulfilling a "bucket list" requirement by going out and riding in the mountains.  Is this smart?  Probably not.  Will it be a challenge?  For sure!  He's training like a madman and praying God will give him the strength to deal with big climbs, mega-miles, and low-oxygen mountain air.  Please pray for all of us!

Why are we doing this?  For one, we enjoy riding bicycles.  I know many of you would rather ride a motorcycle or drive a car from point A to point B.  But for some reason we really relish the childlike joy of riding our bikes.  It's fun!  But we're also raising funds for New Life Prison Community.  These four riders are doing their endurance rides not just for themselves but to support the spiritual walk of men in prison.  It's the third year in the popular Pedal for Prisoners series.  Will you sponsor one of us?  I hope so.  If you're motivated to help, send your checks to New Life, 408 Maple St. Pella IA 50219.