1 The Mountain Biker

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 ESV

What does the term “mountain biker” really mean? I learned by way of example. When I began mountain biking, my experience of riding began with a mountain bike club, and racing was my “school” of learning. I gained the idea that when those two words (mountain and biker), are put together, it should conjure up a sense of pride; the kind of pride that denotes a job-well-done, diligence, and seeing a thing through to the end. The name musters thoughts of painstaking trail maintenance, riding etiquette, and diehard athleticism.

I was shown that a mountain biker has the responsibility of promoting out-door sportsmanship, even on the shortest, most insignificant mountain bike ride. Because of this responsibility, none of my rides could be considered a vacation from courtesy, no opportunity for conceits, and no situation which allows stepping on the slow guy to get to the top. Regardless of how I rode, whether solo on a single track, with friends bombing downhill, or with a club while on tour, my bike and the rides were not to be taken for granted, and the aftertaste should be considered sweet! I pursued following by example, to keep that good name intact from start to finish, and these lessons didn’t come easy! My tendency had always been generously seasoned with a competitiveness that would pop it’s beefy head up on most every ride—actually, on every ride, and even on our after-conversations about the rides. The craziest thing of all, we competed about our injuries too! In other words, mountain biking has it’s ups and downs (I do mean that literally too), but all in all, we would learn from each other how to be good humans while on the trail—and off.

Father God, my prayer is that I glorify you in all I do, whether it be on my bike, hiking a trail, or walking the streets. My hope is that my reputation for hard work, diligence, skill, kindness and consideration would go before me, and linger in the thoughts of others well after I am gone. I ask forgiveness for the times I was bull headed and competitive. I am grateful for the beautiful chance I’ve had to learn from mountain biking.

Challenge 2: Today, whatever you do, choose to leave a trail of encouragement, steps of restoration, and leaps of faith for others to follow. Be intentional about leaving a “good taste” in the minds of those you spend time with; esteem others before yourself and stop to observe the benefits that come from a life well-lived.

*Jot down a few thoughts you have about what you read. Share it with me, and add to the journey.

I can only remember so many mistakes! I had more fun mountain biking that any other sport. But I also had to do soul searching and “maintenance” on that as well. “Pride goes before a fall,” and boy do I know that one!—author