17 Face to Face: Starr Pass, AZ

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Exodus 33:11 NIV

I had the privilege of riding a trail that was basically located “in my own front yard.”  I could see it from my living room picture-window and I could get to the trailhead within minutes.  Starr Pass is a fast, rocky, single track, sprinkled with Saguaro Cacti, Prickly pear, and Ocotillo. It includes a sandy creek bed, mesquite forest, and a short dirt-road section. It gives riders an illusion of solitude because the trail is nestled in the volcanic foothills of the Tucson Mountains.

My favorite time to ride Starr Pass was with friends who attended the University of Arizona.  Although they were not an official riding club, they offered a club-ride environment which included laughing, camaraderie, and of course, the inclusive never-leave-anyone-behind attitude.  I had the privilege of riding Starr Pass anytime, day or night, for several years and I’ve enjoyed riding the trail solo, with friends, and with family.  I continue to relish the memories of riding in the cool of the morning when the Cactus Wren could be heard and the desert would be waking up, preparing to bear down for a long, hot day. My bike and I would weave through each section, and as I would peddle and try to catch my breath, huge boulders would tower next to me like sentinels guarding my way.  Starr Pass trail is one of the rides that tends to call me back to Arizona–it was never a chore to ride, but rather, it felt like spending time with an old friend, and it continues to beckon me to this day.  

Good memories are sweet to the soul.  I find myself thanking you, Lord, for the opportunities you give me to spend time with friends, and I appreciate that you’ve opened the door for me to have a personal human-to-God relationship with you.

Challenge 17: Spend time in this “face to face” posture in prayer for a few minutes today.  No one can challenge you on the how’s, or the where’s, that is up to you.  It is truly a challenge to do the first things first, and to put things into perspective at times. Simple practices which make a difference not only in your riding, but also in your living, are many times those things that are set aside for a ‘another’ day.  Let today be the rebuilding of a ‘best practice’ for living.  Spend a little time in prayer.