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2005 RACE REPORTS & RIDER COMMENTS
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Comments From Riders About The 2005 Tejas 500 and
The Texas Time Trials
Mike S. wrote:
I've never posted my thoughts before but
after riding in the Texas Time Trial I feel that I must. I really don't have
the words but I'll try. I deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone that made
the event possible. You are a really special group of people. Your efforts and
enthusiasm kept me going when I was tired and in doubt. This was my first event
over 100 miles. I opted for the 24 hour ride. I was better trained to do only
12 hours. However, I thought riding at night might be different since I had
never cycled in the dark. Everything I read from previous rider posts was true.
Riding at night was magical. The stars were plentiful and the moon was bright.
I counted no less than 50 meteors streaking across the sky as I rode through
the early pre-dawn hours. Around 3:00 a.m. I encountered two large bucks,
feeding in the shadows just to the side of the road. The deer raised their
heads and watched as I silently swept by, as I returned their gaze and enjoyed
the brief company. At 3:45 a trucker heading for the cement plant stopped in
the middle of the road, on "the hill", rolled down his window and
bantered that I should put up the bike and get some sleep. He laughed as he spoke
as if this was his way of encouraging me up "the hill" one more time.
I waived and tarried forward, his comments making me stronger as I climbed.
Being out in the darkness alone reminded me of childhood. It was playful and
free of stress. The tough climbs on the early portion of the course would
quickly give way to the playful roller coaster on the back side. I rode alone
in the dark with all my thoughts. I thought of my younger brother, whom I lost
earlier this year and how he would have loved to make fun of my endeavor. The
thought made me laugh and peddle harder. I thought of my wife patiently waiting
beyond the start line, to once again assist with food and water. Lap after lap,
no sleep needed she simply did because I was there. Throughout the night and
into the following afternoon, my thoughts were only interrupted by the ever
vigilant presence of the sag wagon circling the course, a thumbs up out the
window each time they passed. Everyone's experience is different, but mine was
exhilarating, emotional and immensely rewarding. If you like to ride and you
enjoy good company be here next year for this amazing event. It is truly an
adventure.
Clark S. wrote:
Hi, just a note of thanks for the
organization and for the encouragement to go the loop one more time. I
wish we could have stayed for the rest of the evening, honestly, I did that
last 20 miles faster than I had done any of the previous, unfortunately my
knees and quads are going to make me pay for it tomorrow.
A medal would
have been great, but this was more about doing and pushing myself further than
I ever had before. Between the great day we had and your efforts to get me into
medal contention, I couldn't have asked for a better event. Thanks again.
Lauri T. wrote:
You all were a great bunch! Very
supportive and uplifting! I'm sure I'll be out there next year! Hehe, I
had to hang around for the awards, my teammate (in adventure racing) was one of
the 500miler finishers! Both of us had only previously ridden 36miles in a
stretch this season so I'm filled w/ pride for him.
Thanks for
the kind words and I would love the opportunity to ride more w/ ya'll.
I'll check out the website and see if I can't make it out for one of the rides!
Out of curiosity, can my teammate and I enter
into more than one race? His sister expressed wanting to do the 500 as a
team next year so we thought we could do that and then maybe do a time trial on
Sat. as well...just wanted to know if there was anything in the rules that
would keep us from racing in two races competitively.
Steve B. wrote:
I just wanted to let you know how much I
enjoyed the event this weekend. As you know, my job had me out of town
the past 2 years during the TTT so this was my first. We (Kelly and me
along with our Utah friends Don & Mary Margaret Williams) had a great
experience. This was Don's first time to cycle for more than 12
hours. He didn't believe me when I told him what he was in for, sometimes
people must experience life first hand.
Thanks for all
your hard work, time, and dedication. Don and Mary Margaret said
they are adding this to their annual event list. It will take a major
life catastrophe to keep them away. Don said that everyone they saw at
the hotel said that they plan to come back again as well..........just good
feelings all around.
It was an absolute memory maker...for us as well as our Salt Lake City friends -
Julie W. wrote:
I want to say
that I had a great time at this ride. I met so many great people that were
close by and we all got to rooting on the riders together. There are some great
people in this sport. Thank you for all you do!!!
Mark M. wrote:
Thanks so much,
without your efforts over these past years there probably would not be any
long distance cycling in this area. Without such easy access to your
events I would not have archived any of the results that I am now so proud of.
A great event once again, very impressive, Thanks.
Jack W. wrote:
Thanks, next year I will break the record,
need something to shoot for each year. Thanks again for a great event and I
LOVE my Cyclist Award!
Gina V. wrote:
Thanks for the
kind words. I had a terrific time this weekend (okay, so there was some
pain involved too). I have never been so nervous about a race before in
my life, simply because it was something totally different from anything I
had ever tried and I knew the caliber of athletes that would be there. As
we pulled in Friday afternoon, I looked to the guy next to me and he had on a
RAAM jersey. I immediately started to get dizzy; truly worried that I had
taken on something that was out of my range. I met so many of the nicest
people and saw so much determination. What an inspiration this event
was! Y'all put on a great show, everything was just awesome and I'll make
sure to spread the word about the event and I hope it's even bigger and better
next year. As of right now, I'm not sure of my plans for next year, but
if I do come back to the event, I'm definitely going to give the 500 miler a
whirl. Who knew ultracycling could be so much fun! Keep up the awesome
work and I hope to meet you and the others in the future!
Ronnie B. wrote:
We really had a good time & will
volunteer again next year and also either do the 12 or 6.
Kathy H. wrote:
I just wanted to
thank you on behalf of the church for the love offering. You have a great bunch
of people & we look forward to seeing you next year. Have a blessed week!
Perry G. wrote:
This was a great
event. It was well supported and very well done. This was my first event of
this type and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for making it a real joy.
Phil S. wrote:
I had a lot of fun just watching the riders and keeping track of them.
Jeff V. wrote:
Just wanted to thank you and the many
volunteers that stood out on the side of the road in Cleburne all day and night
for 3 days! What a great event, well attended and extremely well organized, way
better then any USCF race I can tell you that.
I think I am hooked on this Ultra racing and
riding. I was talking to my wife and I think I am going to train more for this
than USCF racing, safer that's for sure.
I wanted to do 100 miles and was headed up
the long part of the climb out from the state park when I got cramps in both of
my legs on the inside, never had cramps ever before this. I turned around and
loosened my legs back and then went again to make the climb, but to no avail
the cramps returned. Had to turn back and drift back to my wife and the van But
I enjoyed myself and set PR for riding since I had that bad crash at the Hotter
N' Hell road race in 2001.
Well I will be
in touch and want to start riding longer and longer distances between now and
next year, my goal is to do the 500 miler next year with a back seat goal of
qualifying for RAAM! Thanks again!
Kalleen W. wrote:
Sure had fun!
Steve W. G. wote:
Thanks - it was really great! "Weather
was perfect, the course is challenging yet fun. The enthusiasm of the crowd at
the finish line is inspiring - and cheerleaders! Sign me up for next
year!"
Many thanks to you and the volunteers for
putting in all the work to pull this off - a really great event!
Steve G wrote:
Thank you for
making this such a fine event. My limited experience says that the best races
are those for which the race organizer is able to recruit plenty of good
volunteer help. That is exactly the case with the Texas Time Trials. Everyone
was helpful and friendly and the cheerleaders were a very nice touch.
I came to Texas
with a shot at winning the 12 Hour Racer of the Year for the 60-69 age group,
provided James Cartwright stayed at home. Unfortunately, he was there and beat
me once again. He is a worthy champion of the JMC (again!)
Everyone knows the RAAM riders and John
Jurczynsky, Wes Wilmer and a few others, but I was impressed with some of the
guys I don't see on the JMC circuit. Virgil Moehsmer beat John Guth in the 500
and that just isn't done by a 50 year
old. Even more impressive was Jack Weiss at 60+ winning the 6 hour outright.
This guy may be well known in Texas, but this was the first time I had met him.
Obviously, he is quite an athlete.
Thanks again for
putting on such a fine event. Best of luck
Mary Kay S. wrote:
It was a good day with very good people,
a joy to participate. Thanks for such a great event. Next
year...I ride, then cheerlead. All my best
Nancy & John G. wrote:
It is really hard to get back to
"normal" after our fun filled week of riding, racing and fellowship
in Texas...where hospitality is as thick as the flies (we lost our
last flies out of our van in Charlottesville)...
We had a
great trip home, two days, 14000 miles and no problems except sleet and snow in
the Blue Ridge - and we were still wearing our shorts! At least we stayed awake
shivering! Thanks again for such a class act!
John H. wrote:
Thanks - looks
like you had some great racing. A course record by Metcalfe, and only 13
minutes ahead of Moehsmer. Vandiver setting the women's record in the
24. Jurczynski having a great 12-hour to end the
season. Cheers
Pete L. wrote:
Thanks Dan. I
found the article: One has to register to see it...Below is the link where I
found it.
www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/12970341.htm
Thanks again for putting this together. I will be back next year…Take care
From the Fort Worth Star Telegram:
Fighting sleep to live dream
By DAN McGRAW
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Four years ago, Roberto
Calderon could barely walk, let alone ride a bike. Calderon's doctor in
his hometown of Toluca, Mexico, suggested that the 51-year-old marathon runner
drop running and pick up cycling in the hopes of overcoming a hereditary hip
disorder, which had caused him to miss the Boston Marathon.
Eventually, Calderon did just that and turned his
admiration for marathon running toward the bike.
"When I was running, I loved doing marathons because I
thought they were the most challenge," Calderon said through his daughter
Martha, who was interpreting. "I never imagined myself on the bike, but now
that I am, I want the same kind of challenge of marathon running."
Calderon found his challenge in Cleburne. He was one of 37
riders attempting to complete 500 miles over rolling hills by this afternoon in
the Texas Time Trials' Tejas 500. Riders who hoped to finish the 500 miles
within 36 hours began Friday morning. Those who wanted an extra 12 hours started
Thursday afternoon.
Calderon said he hopes to complete the 500 miles in 48
hours and still qualify for the Ride Across AMerica event, a grueling 3,052-mile
cycling race across the United States. Qualifiers must come in within 15 percent
of the winners' time.
"It's my dream to compete in RAAM, but I would be more
likely to do it as a team member," Calderon said. "Here, though, I
want to do this for myself. That's why I am doing it solo."
Calderon began at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, but by midnight, he
had finished 100 miles and was back in camp looking to catch some sleep after
battling to stay awake on the bike. He wasn't the only one suffering from
the lack of sleep. Fred Ricol began at the same time Calderon did and finished
180 miles by 4 a.m., but he also felt the temptation to sleep.
"I'm trying to keep riding, but the need for sleep is
catching up with me," Ricol said. "It's getting hard to resist it,
because I don't think I have recovered from my flight."
Ricol, a surgical nurse, traveled from France to compete in
the event, which also was a qualifier for him and a chance to be in his favorite
cyclist's home state.
"It was a gift to come here in Lance's [Armstrong]
state and prove that the French weren't all against him," Ricol said.
"I work with patients every day, so I have great admiration for the way he
fought back."
The race concludes at 5:30 p.m. today with an award
ceremony for the riders.
Rick B. wrote:
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the race
! I thought you and all the others were FANTASTIC !!! I thought the support you
gave me when you drove the sag vehicle with the thumbs up and encouraging
remarks was GREAT and their were a lot of times when I really needed that !!!!
LOL !
With out a doubt the greatest boost I got was
from the fellow riders and the wonderful non racing crew support people and of
course you and all the others!
The reception I got when I finished was
AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!! I thought the cheerleaders were so cool ! When you came out
to great me and all the fanfair I received was far more then I expected! I felt
every bit as important as the first place finisher!
The only suggestion I have is to maybe next
year move the start date back to around the begining of October ! I have to
tell you the COLD at night was BRUTAL!!!
I will be back
next year and I WILL QUALIFY FOR RAAM!!!!!!!!!
Roy R. wrote:
Thanks to you
and your volunteers, Karen will have something to be proud of for quite
sometime...`er at least until next year. Your race ROCKED!!!!!
Brian J. wrote:
Glad to help out, it was such a nice day to
be outside in the country.
Plus, I got to see some old friends. You guys
put on a great event and it should become an annual classic.
The cheerleader women really lifted the
riders spirits.
Under it's a small world after all: When I
was looking at all the sponsors on the back of the shirt I noticed "Jim
and Gail Spann". I'll see you around
Mike & Nancy M. Wrote:
What a great job
by all the volunteers!!! Thanks a bunch. I hope all the rest of them are this
good. Thanks
Martin H. Wrote:
Thank you very
much for once again putting on an outstanding event. The Texas Time
Trials are first class all the way. You and your volunteers do an
outstanding job every year and are to be congratulated. I very much look
forward to attending again next year. By the way, I do support many of
your sponsors and I always mention your event whenever I make a purchase.
Best Regards
Ralph P. Wrote:
I had a great
time. You gave out the best trophies I've seen all year . The volunteers were
the best !! I felt like part of the family. Keep up the good work!
Virgil M. Wrote:
The path leading me to your event has been
eventful to say the least. At 56 years of age I am a relative new comer to the
Ultra cycling scene, having started riding road bikes about 13 years ago for
health reasons (heart attack, 50lbs over weight, couch potato). Just 5 years
ago, after a series of 8 coronary stents I had to have double bypass surgery.
RAAM qualifying has been a mythical goal of mine for years now. Succeeding at
your event has made the success that more enjoyable.
I would like to
compliment you and your staff including all of the official and un-official
volunteers. I have rode Iowa 24, Michigan 24, Tinbutt 12hr, Calvins Challenge
12hr, & BMB in the past and can say that yours was right up there at the
top as far as organization and support goes. I really enjoyed all of the
camaraderie that everyone had including other riders and their crews alike.
Passing the start finish line was fun what with all of the cheer leaders
present. You gave us everything we asked for, even the extra wind that I
requested at the end of one delirious lap. As far as critters go, dogs were not
a problem. I did see one armadillo sun bathing on the side of the road lap
after lap though. I did not have any problems with mail boxes sticking out in
the road that other riders have spoke about in the past. In fact, if a mail box
was a problem to someone, I figure they have bigger problems such as the ditch
beyond the mail box. It was always enjoyable to see the smiling faces and the
thumbs up from the sag personnel as they passed by out on the course. I would
thank the church volunteers for their effort the entire weekend. The awards
were wonderful and the format of having all the rides end at the same time
makes for great bench racing with all fellow riders/classes at the end of the
races. It was neat to see the new natural gas derrick go up as we passed by lap
after lap out on the course. Finally - great weather, good course, a bit more
traffic than I’m used to though. I will probably be back next year leaner and
meaner and maybe with a 4 man team.
From the Fort Worth Star Telegram:
The Daily Ticket
Not just a Sunday ride
It promises to challenge even the fittest athletes: a
500-mile bicycle race through the hills around Cleburne. Known as the Tejas 500,
the endurance event is part of the Texas Time Trials and is a qualifier for the
grueling Race Across America, an annual transcontinental bicycle race that
starts on the West Coast. Besides
the 500-miler, there are 24-, 12-, and 6-hour time trials. A 36-year-old man
from the United Kingdom knocked out 400.2 miles to win the 24-hour time trial.
The first event begins at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at New Hope Baptist Church, 12600 FM
1434, Cleburne. For more information, visit www.tt24tt.com.
Duane T. Wrote:
TTTT is a lot of fun and, we enjoy being a part of it. It is exciting to see people from all over the world participating. I visited with the couple
from England, and they seemed to really enjoy the TTTT. Congratulations to you for an excellent job!!! All the volunteers, including the cheerleaders,
also were great! It is nice that New Hope Church supports TTTT and that they get a donation from TTTT.
Chris M. Wrote:
This was my very first time to every try an Ultra Marathon Event, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's patience with me. Being
new I learned a lot from the other riders and all of the volunteer staff. I am looking forward to coming back next year and finishing the Texas 500.
Herb B. Wrote:
I'm writing today on behalf of the four handcyclists entered in the 2005 Texas Time Trials 24-hour division. Michel, Rick, Bill, and I want to express
our gratitude to you and your staff for producing a tremendous event and for doing everything everyone did to accommodate our group.
Each of us had a wonderful time during the race weekend. The Texas Time Trials provided us with an excellent opportunity, under race conditions,
to prepare for our attempt to be the first-ever handcycle finishers of the Insight Race Across America (RAAM).
Thanks for a great race and event weekend. My group is already looking forward to next year. Hope to see you then.
Brenda B. Wrote:
After being a
volunteer and on the injured reserve list last year during the TTTT, I knew
that this year I really wanted to participate in the event. I had originally
signed up with fellow Lone Star Randonneur, Bill Fox, in the 500 mile mixed
team. As time began to get closer and that challenge was growing stronger and
stronger, I had asked Bill if he would be o.k. if I went solo instead of as a
team. I really wanted to see if I could accomplish this challenge and my
thought was that I would never know if I can accomplish 500 miles in 48 hours
solo unless I try it. Bill was very supportive and encouraged me to take on the
challenge.
On my way to
Cleburne, Thursday afternoon and I am so nervous and excited at the same time
about this ride. I came to the conclusion that I was so nervous because I’ve
always done my brevets and long rides with someone beside me. I’m not looking
for the conversations all the time but the security of having a body beside me
is comforting. I read the rules to the time trial and knew the requirements of
the race. Completely solo are the rules of the game. Therefore, the stomach was
flipping and the Bad Company CD was playing full blast in the car on the way to
the start/finish location in order to get the mind on something else. I was
also hoping that one of the songs would poop into my head in the middle of the
night on that long road by myself.
It was great to
see familiar faces and to meet new ones as time approached for the 5:30 p.m.
start. The bike was ready for the evening, the cooler with food along with some
warm clothing items were placed right next to the road for the pit stops that I
needed instead of running to the car during the night. As the 48 hour starters
neared the starting line, rules were read, and we were off. It was great to
ride beside other riders but I also realized that this would soon be history.
As we neared the turn and the distance between the cyclists were enforced, I
wished fellow friend Todd Kalchbrenner “good luck and be safe?. Everyone was
now riding their own ride and the race was on.
Enjoying the
sunset, beautiful scenery and the peaceful country roads, I was making great
time on the laps. Nearing the 4th lap I began to wonder what I was
really thinking when I told Bill that I wanted to ride this event solo. I
thought to myself, “wow, I’ve got a lot of miles ahead of me and I just hope I
can continue on.? I was feeling great and with the full moon shining bright and
making a glistening appearance on the pavement I knew it was going to be a good
night for riding. While passing the timekeepers on one of the laps I heard Dan
yelling at me, “slow it down?. As I continued to roll away, I began to think,
“hmm, am I really going that fast, wonder how I’m doing on time?. I completed
that lap and pulled up to the cooler and Bill soon came over to see how I was
doing. I knew that I was ready for a break and asked Bill if it was o.k. for me
to take a nap. He assured me that I was o.k. on time and I decided to lay down
for a while. The temperatures had really dropped and the winter gear was
already on the body but not moving sure makes it feel much cooler. It was
around 4:30 a.m. and I had already 160 miles behind me. I said a few words to
Mark Metcalfe who had just arrived for the 5:30 a.m. 500-mile start. I tried to
catch a few z’s but the adeline wouldn’t let me sleep. I took advantage of the
rest time and realized it would be a while before I get it again.
Up before the
sun even thinks about making an appearance. I’m off for some more laps and
ready for some warmer temperatures. It’s now Friday and a great day to be riding
the bike in the warm Texas temperatures. The morning and afternoon seemed to
just fly by as I kept completing the laps and logging in the miles. As the late
afternoon approached, I met up with Greater Dallas Bicyclists friends, Bobby
and Suzanne as I’m making my way up the long and steady hill towards the first
turn. They are driving the opposite direction that I’m riding in order to
register and set up camp for the evening.
I had completed
the first 24 hours of this challenge and logged in 300 miles with 2 hours of
rest. I am surprised by my ability and realized all I have to do is another 200
miles and I have 24 hours to complete this task. I decided it was time for me
to freshen up a little since it’s now been 24 hours since I’ve been on the
bike, a fresh set of clothes, wash the face and brush the teeth brought the
body back to life. I feel like a new person again and as I run into Dan, he’s
asking about my miles and realized that I may be losing a little focus since
friends are starting to appear and the social person in me is starting to come
out. Dan encourages me to get back on the bike, “get a couple more laps in
before the sun goes down as long as you’re not sleepy?. I assure him that I’m
not sleepy. He gets me focused again and assured me that I will RAAM qualify
and will be the first female to finish the Tejas 500 challenge on this course.
As I roll off for some more miles, I’m thought to myself, “me, RAAM qualify, no
way?. How could little ole? me who picked up this sport three years ago and in
my second year of ultra-distance cycling be RAAM qualified, there is no way?
I kept the
pedals turning and realized that I needed to take a short nap before I went on
for more miles. I ran into Bobby and told him to wake me in 45 minutes.
Amazingly enough, the head hits the air mattress that is located in my tent and
45 minutes flies by. He’s shaking my leg and it’s time to get up and get moving
again. As Bobby is assisting me by getting my shoe covers on, into the dark
appear Greg and John. Greg had picked up a Whataburger hamburger for me, a few
bites of it and I sit it down. I had been on liquid food thus far and wanted to
be cautious about eating solid foods. Off I go for another lap.
As I finished
that lap, I stopped to visit with Greg for just a few minutes next to my pit
stop area. He had visited with Dan and they both wanted me to get more ‘time in
the bank?. Greg was off to the hotel to get some sleep since he was racing in
the 6-hour challenge beginning at noon the next day. Greg gave me a small goal
of completing 400 miles by the time he came back in the morning at 4:30 a.m. I
find that having those small goals is exactly what I need when I do long rides.
It’s much easier for me to focus on the smaller picture than the big overall
picture.
I knew exactly
in my mind how many laps I must complete in order to reach my small goal. As I
started to round out my last lap to complete the 400 miles, I started to think
that I saw a black deer jumping the fence. No, that can’t be, “there’s nothing
over there?, I thought to myself. A few miles down the road I hear noise coming
from behind me. As I look in my mirror I don’t see anything, a couple glances
over my shoulder and still no one. Hmm, I could almost swear that I heard
people talking behind me. A few seconds later I heard several geese overhead
making the noise that I once thought was noise coming from behind me. As I
approach the timekeepers I definitely know it’s time to take a nap before going
on. I’m ahead of ‘curfew? by one hour and can get some sleep before Greg
arrives. Friend and fellow LSR rider, Rani who was sitting with other
timekeepers assures me that I have plenty of time to get some sleep, finish my
100 miles and complete with ‘time in the bank?.
I asked Bea to
come and wake me in an hour, as I take a few more bites of the cold hamburger
that’s been sitting on the cooler, I laid my head on that wonderful air
mattress. The hour flies by and up I am again. As I make a round over to the
timekeepers to see how they are doing, I ran into Dan and make him aware that I
have 100 miles to go. On the bike and up walk Greg and John. “Hey you guys,
I’ve got 100 miles and I’m done.? I assure Greg that I made his ‘curfew? that
he gave me and was even able to get an hour of sleep. As I started to roll down
the road, I stopped to visit with fellow GDB members that are participating in
the 12-hour challenge.
Off I went for
some fun and the final 100 miles to complete this challenge that I was very
eager to compete in. As I rounded out the laps and the sun began coming up, it
was extremely enjoyable and encouraging to have the other 500 milers and some
24-hour challengers pass me and wish me well. Fellow RAAM rider, Mark Metcalfe
passed me and quickly commented that everyone was so proud of me. As the volunteers
in the vehicles would pass me they were always there with a smile on their
face, thumbs up hand signal and a friendly wave. How encouraging and touching
that was to see them and it assured me that I was doing great while turning the
pedals.
As I rounded the
timekeepers and I knew my mileage, I yelled out “last lap?. Off I went on my
victory lap and the pedaling seemed so effortless. I thought of the huge
accomplishment that I was about to achieve as I fought back the emotion. Other
riders passed me and spoke their words of encouragement. A few miles from the
finish and in my mirror I see Greg approaching me. It was great to get those
final words of encouragement and to hear how proud he was of me within the last
few miles of the finish line.
To believe all
the hoopla for me at the finish line. Photos, Tejas 500 cheerleaders with
actual pom-poms and a poem that was written just for me and recited by the
organizer of this wonderful event, Dan Driscoll. It’s still hard to believe
that little ole? me completed and achieved such a huge accomplishment. What a
fun filled 44 hours including 4 hours of sleep!
Ronald J. wrote:
Little did I
ever think I would be participating in a 500 mile bicycle race. Now I am
thinking I want to come back next year...I am obviously still a little
disoriented. I just got my first two issues of the UMCA magazine and it is
quite enticing. It was no coincidence that I ended up in this race. I am a firm
believer in Christ and everything is part of His plan. I would like for you to
look at all of well organized circumstances He put together that led me to your
website, this race and New Hope Baptist Church.
Below are some notes from several events that
have occurred over the last 2 years. They all point to why I was involved in
this specific bicycle race that you put on and took place at New Hope Baptist
Church… God’s plan. I do not believe that you found the race location and New
Hope Baptist Church by luck. It has truly been a faith building experience for
me.
-----------
I wanted to introduce something to you that
has been working in me for over one year. Technically, it goes back several
years.
August 2003: God
started working in our family and in me quite a bit. I had been writing down
all of these experiences how God was working in my family’s life (I used to
call them coincidences…not any more) on a sheet of paper. So I wouldn’t forget
them when I went to talk with the pastor, I decided to put them in the computer
so I wouldn’t lose them. After typing them in the computer on a plane, I got in
my truck at the airport and the CD lesson I listened to on the way home from
the airport was from The Purpose Driven Life. It said that you truly
haven’t absorbed or thought about your experiences/testimony until you have
written them down…not a coincidence…At that point…after regaining control of
the truck…I asked Him to use me in whatever ways He wants…be careful about what
you ask for
As many of you
know, I ride a bike a lot around Simonton and the surrounding communities.
Riding my bike was and is a good place for me to get away from the hussle and
bussle and get close to God. I pray a lot when I am on the bike. I was riding
my bike on one wonderfully HOT day in August 2004. The Holy Spirit put on my
heart to do something with my bike riding hobby for God.
This was something that shook me up quite a
bit. I wasn’t sure if this was something from the Holy Spirit or from my
selfish head. As a matter of fact, I struggled with this for about 4-5 months.
I prayed about it a lot. Every time I was on the bike, I questioned the
feeling…I was looking for the billboard that wasn’t presenting itself. Every
time I got on the bike the feeling got stronger…the Holy Spirit was like that
gnat that would not go away. You start with one and before long you have a
swarm around you. That is how I was feeling. The pressure got stronger on or
off the bike.
After 4-5 months of prayer and mass confusion
I finally decided to talk to my wife, Amy, about this. Yes, I was so confused
about this that I had not even talked to my wife about this. So in December 04
one night when we were laying down, I brought this up to Amy. Now the
conversation started with a lot of qualifiers…something has been bothering
me…don’t think I am crazy, I am already thinking that. And I told her. Well,
what a mistake (not really). She was ready start a bike ride…become a
publicist…talk to the radio stations and newspapers for support.
I had to reel
her in. I told her that she couldn’t do those things since I did not completely
believe this yet. And when or if I do, I prefer to remain as anonymous as
possible.
Well, even
though I was still in disbelief, I wanted to be an obedient servant. I did so
from a passive aggressive standpoint. I started getting in shape, riding more,
eating better. Hoping that one day it would be revealed to me that this was not
from Him. Obviously, not the most obedient approach.
At this point,
very little was put on my heart except do something on the bike for Him. I did
not know what to do, when to do it or how to do it. I continued to work out
more, but reached a plateau in my training. For Christmas, Amy got me this
cycling training book written by Lance Armstrong’s coach (Chris Carmichael). I
read it and did all of the pre-workout tests, but I still was on that training
plateau. At this point many people were starting to prepare for the MS150. So
naturally, I thought this was what He wanted me to do. And if the MS Society
can get people to ride for dollars, that is what I could do…although, not
knowing what it was for. I started training a little harder with a goal in
mind.
Back to the training for a while. In the
training book, they had a coupon if you hired Carmichael Training Systems (CTS)
for a coach. Since my training wasn’t going as I felt like it should be, I
looked into CTS. They revealed to me something that became a roadblock to me.
Based on my work schedule and my goals, the coupon would not work. I needed a
more comprehensive training program that the coupon was not eligible for. I
felt that was out of my budget. On Feb 15 while I was on Oakland on a business
trip, I called Amy and talked to her about this. I was really starting to
believe that God wanted me to do something on the bike, my training wasn’t what
it could be, and the coaching program I needed was out of our budget at the
time. I really started questioning all of this. We prayed and she said if it
was meant to be, I’ll get a sign and God will provide the funds for it. The
next morning, I read my Feb 16 daily devotional. This is what is said:
“Arise from the dead? (Eph 5:14)
Not all initiative, the willingness to take
the first step is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get
going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard---just do what
needs to be done!? This is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when
the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, Get up and get going,?
suddenly we find the initiative is inspired.
We all have many
dreams and inspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we
have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our
tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and
says to us, “Arise from the dead…? When God sends His inspiration, it comes to
us with such miraculous power that we are able to “arise from the dead? and do
the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the
life and power come after we “get up and get going.? God does not give us
overcoming life---He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God
comes, and He says, “Arise from the dead…,? we have to get ourselves up: God
will not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, “Stretch
out your hand? (Mathew 12:13). As soon as the man did so, his hand was
healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to
overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He
immediately gives us the power of life.
Considering that
I was 220 lbs. At Christmas 2004, this would definitely be doing the
impossible. But, I got my billboard. I called Amy nearly in tears, and told her
what I read. Her very supportive comment back was, “I told you that you should
have gotten a coach back in December. Are you going to now?? This is sarcasm,
but she was and has been very supportive. Boy did things change after that. I
was completely convinced what I was doing was right. I got the coach and things
improved. And by the way, although I found out several months later, I was
assigned a coach that was a Christian…God is awesome.
Back to the MS
150. I had new drive. I felt like that is what He wanted me to do. I went to
sign up for it in late February on a Friday. There were questions on the
registration I could not answer. I asked a guy at work that was going on the
ride. He said he would get back with me on Monday. Monday came and I knew how
to answer the question. I went to the website to register, and it said
registration closed at 13,000 participants. A door slammed in my face. I wasn’t
bothered at all by that. It was obvious that is not what He wanted me to do.
At this point,
only Amy and I knew about this. I had read in my devotional, that we should put
ourselves in a position to be accountable for the things we are directed in
doing. Basically, use accountability partners to prevent us from backsliding. I
decided to talk with one of our men about what had been happening. He was
extremely supportive and asked to be a part of this every step of the way. A
couple of weeks later Amy and I had asked the man and his wife over for dinner.
They could not make the dinner. We called another couple at the church over.
The man had brought up some of his running goals. I subsequently brought up my
circumstance. He too wanted to be a part of it. I had now put myself in a
position where backing out was less of an option.
Back to what I
am supposed to do…it was still unclear. Back in February, I watched a 5 hour
show on NBC that covered the Race Across America (RAAM-a 3,000 mile bike race)
the previous June. While it was sure interesting, it was certainly not for me.
However, I went to the RAAM website. One of the riders was riding to raise
money for a church to provide wheelchairs to the needy in third world
countries. The RAAM website had a link that eventually took me to the Ultra
Marathon Cycling website (UMCA). I could get pointers on training, riding and
nutrition for long rides. Well as I browsed that website, it took me to a link
for RAAM qualifying races. I went there and was pretty interested. There was
one in Alaska, Alabama, the Adirondacks, California and at the bottom one in
Texas. I pulled it up…the Tejas 500. Well, I knew that a 500 mile race wasn’t
for me so I went on. I kept coming back to that website. I looked at the
results. God kept me coming back to that race. Well, I certainly did not want
this to be what I was supposed to do. The more I looked at the website the more
was revealed to me. The start/finish line was at a church…New Hope Baptist
Church…the proceeds support an outreach fund at the church…not a coincidence. I
do not know how many of you are familiar with bike races, but they are not
traditionally associated with a church. This was the first I had come across.
After much
prayer, God put it on my heart that this is exactly what I was supposed to do.
I assure you that my coach was a lot more excited than I was.
As the weeks
went on…church went by…I felt like many of the sermons were directed completely
to me. June was Jonah…boy did I feel like Jonah. Told to do something, but deny
it.
A couple of
weeks later, our pastor, Steve, talked about God’s building plan…He identifies
a need…He develops the plan…He identifies the resources…He accomplishes the
goal. At this point, I feel all have been accomplished except the last. For the
first time in my life, I had to completely turn this over the God…believe in
faith alone. I had to turn it over to Him each and every step of the way to get
to the next step.
I finally
decided to tell Steve. I have to be up front with you. I was going to tell
Steve what had been happening with the hopes that he would clear up some of my
confusion that still exists…and maybe tell me I was off my rocker and this was
nonsense. Well, I heard the most unbelievable yet convincing story after
telling Steve what was going on. Still expecting a little apprehension from
Steve, he did just the opposite. After listening to me, he began to tell me
about a man he met when he was an intern/resident youth minister in Fort Worth.
This man had been paralyzed. God came to him and told him to ride across
America on a bike. WOW!! Not sure exactly what Steve was going to say…this was
the most convincing evidence I needed.
While I was
thoroughly convinced what it was He wanted me to do, I was still unclear about
the purpose for doing this. Many things for over a year presented themselves.
Many things went away through the Holy Spirit. Obviously, those items were all
of me and our Father slammed the door on those items. Our Father put all of my
questions to rest. It was through prayer and His direction that it finally
became very clear to me. I was asked to participate this July with many of your
children for 3 days a Christian kid’s camp in Sherman, Texas. Now this was in
the middle of some of my most intense training so I was a little disappointed.
However, I went anyway. I truly believe I was touched by that experience more
than our children. I did not realize what had been happening to me until I
returned home since I was so caught up in the moment and the experience. It was
the morning after returning from camp that His plan was made so clear: He wants
me to do something for our children and youth. While there were 24 children and
6 adults that had an awesome time at camp, I believe there could be many more.
Therefore, I
decided with a whole lot of prayer to raise some money to specifically go to
our children and youth funds. These funds would specifically be allocated out
as scholarships to help fund the expenses necessary to send the children and
youth to ministry events such as kid’s camp and youth camp.
“Train a
child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.?
Proverbs 22:6
Now my most
difficult part was raising funds for the youth and kids without telling anyone.
This was quite trying. I really wanted to remain anonymous or at least in the
background. I did not want to draw attention to me. It wasn’t about me. It was
about God. Well, after talking with Steve, he let me know that was going to be
virtually impossible. He did tell me that a letter to the church members would
be the best way to handle this and remain somewhat in the background.
Now getting to
the race. One of the most confirming events that what I was doing was within
God’s plan occurred when I drove up to the church prior to the start of the
race. In front of the church was a sign that had two children holding hands and
running and playing. I was in the right place for the right reasons. It is just
incredible how God builds this plan that you really don’t see all it once. It
unfolds piece by piece over months of preparation. The confirmation doesn’t
even occur all at once either. And by the way, my crew ended up being the two
men I had talked two about the event…one of which it must have been His plan to
be at our house when our original dinner guests had to cancel on us. In
addition to the two men from church, our pastor and my wife also crewed the
race. My wife has supported more than I can even begin to give her credit for.
Although there are many details of the race
that are interesting, there are only two or three that I want to mention. After
about 240 miles I was asked by a newspaper reporter if it was harder or easier
than I anticipated. I mentioned that at that point it was easier, but I assumed
the worst was yet to come. Little did I know what that meant. I think I started
to waken the enemy from below. After mile 420 I believe he was fully awaken. He
knew I was getting close to accomplishing a goal from above and he wanted to
stop me. We had been putting one magnetic Cross with children’s faces on my
truck at the finish line after each completed lap. Each Cross represented a
scholarship to send a kid to church camp. We had 21 Crosses on the truck at
this time. At this point my feet began hurting unmercifully. I thought my shoes
were shrinking after putting them near the heater throughout the previous night
since they were soaking wet. I finished lap 22. My crew chief told me there
were only three laps left. I corrected him. There were only two laps and a victory
lap. I think that stirred the beast from below even more. On lap 24, I tried my
new shoes that were a little larger. Still, there was tremendous pain. After
lap 24, I stopped and told my crew that the problem wasn’t my shoes. My
Achilles? tendons felt like they were about to blow. I wasn’t sure how to take
care of them so they would not blow on my last lap. It wasn’t long before a
race official that knew exactly what to do showed up. They wrapped my Achilles
and modified my bike. The last lap was miserable. It took me 20 minutes longer
than any other lap, but with each painful stroke of the pedal I felt like I was
stepping all over Satan. I knew I was home free and victory was near when I
reached the last descent prior to the finish line. One other item worth noting,
never once during my 7 months of training or the actual race did God let the
word or thought of quitting enter my mind. This ride wasn’t for anything worth
value in this lifetime. It was for an eternal value for several kids and
completing 500 miles regardless of the time was the only option. He has helped
us raise enough funds to send at least 28 kids to camp this upcoming year. More
funds are still coming in.
“I can do everything through him who gives
me strength.? Philippians 4:13
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