Monday, March 23, 2015

Mountain Bike Monday - On being the "stoker"

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

We headed out over the weekend to take Dreamwork (the tandem) on its first serious ride at the Battlefield. This was the true first test. Things started out great when the bike actually fit on the rack on the jeep! Hooray! First obstacle complete!

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

When we arrived we decided to start out on some of the smooth gravel paths just practicing terminology with one another and getting the initial feel for riding together and the bike itself! We eventually popped out onto the main park tour road and decided to try some road riding.

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

Keep in mind that pictures will be from a new perspective with this bike! And, speaking of perspective I think it's a great time to talk about being the stoker. In last week's post I talked about my job as simply providing the pedal power. That's the truth. My job as stoker is to pedal. If my captain is pedaling then I'm pedaling. There's no free ride here. We have to work together on the right gearing at the right time, when to stand on a climb, when to stop, how to start, and every other aspect of riding that you usually only think of subconsciously when you ride your own bike alone. After riding your own bike you don't have to give as much thought to the gear shifting, standing, stopping, etc. You just know how and when to do it. Your brain just remembers it I guess. Now, we have to re-train our brains and muscles to ride a little differently. We have to work in sync. As a team.

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

And, I think we did pretty good! The key was to be patient with one another. We each have to communicate with the other about our needs and concerns. Every movement I make in the back affects the balance of the bike and Dynamo's steering.

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

All I see is what's to my left and right. I had to lean around to snap the above pic. Riding a tandem is all about trust. I have to have complete trust in Dynamo. And, I do. We have ridden together over the years and he has patiently waited for me and supported me. He never left my side always encouraging me and wanting to help me do my best. So, we are pretty comfortable being together on the ride except now we will be on the same bike.

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

The way I see things is that two are better than one. In any aspect of life. Wouldn't you agree? I'm a better biker with Dynamo by my side. He makes me better every single day. We are two peas in a pod.

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

We had a great ride! A little over 20 miles. We were feeling great! We aren't breaking any speed records, but it was a nice steady ride. We got to stop and watch the water ripple and observe the squiggly line in the sand...

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

And, we stopped and smelled the daffodils...

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

And, looked at the beautiful trees...

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

Spring is on its way!!

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15

I'm looking forward to many more adventures on Dreamwork! We make a great team!

Tandem Biking Battlefield 3.21.15



Monday, March 16, 2015

Dreamwork's Maiden Voyage

On March 10, we celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary and 11 year together anniversary. We were in Florida visiting Dynamo's parents for the week, but we are now back in town and picked up our anniversary present. It's a Cannondale Tandem 29er.

DW2

For years I've been asking Dynamo for a tandem bike so we can do some rides truly together, and finally he surprised me with one. I was so surprised that I started to cry. At first I just couldn't fathom how I deserved such goodness. I just couldn't believe it. What a huge blessing God gave me and us. Dynamo continues to shower me with so much love and kindness truly exemplifying God's love. Once I stopped crying I remembered what Joel Osteen says about learning to accept God's blessings and favor and how we deserve goodness. That is part of our journey here. We have to accept goodness. And, we have to have grace for ourselves.

DW4

Not only has God given me the most wonderful man in the world, but He also continually blesses us with all that we need and more. As I reflect on our years together and us taking our first ride yesterday, I am reminded of just how similar riding a tandem is to trusting God. When we ride the tandem, Dynamo is the captain, which means he rides in the front. He is stronger and makes all of the decisions. When to stop. When to start. When to stand. When to shift. Where to steer. EVERYTHING. My job is to be the stoker in the back. I just sit down and pedal. That's it. All I can see is what's on either side of me and his cute backside and I have no idea where we are going. I have to have complete trust. Trust in my captain and partner. Do you find that sometimes you struggle to have complete trust in your captain? I think most of us do. It's about learning to grown in our faith and ourselves. And, it ain't always easy!

DW1

Marriage, too, is much like riding a tandem. You just have to trust one another. Sometimes one of you will need to be the captain using all of your strength to pedal forward, make the decisions, and pull the other along...and sometimes you'll be the stoker. Either way, it's about teamwork. It's okay that sometimes one person is going to need the other more. That's just life. I've learned that most of the time things aren't 50/50. That's just not how life is. No relationship is 50/50. Love doesn't keep score. Whether it's your husband, your friend, your parents, etc. just let it go. Don't always keep track of who called who and who did or didn't do what. Just pick up and always focus on giving more. Give of yourself completely and with your whole heart. For your whole life. Our favorite pastor said years ago that a good and successful marriage has two givers. So, I'm going to give my heart out and just enjoy the ride. We are only given this very moment, nothing more, nothing less. I'm learning to live in the present and see where this journey takes us.

DW6

And, our beautiful new tandem has a name. It's called "Dreamwork." Dynamo named it. If you want to know why, check out this church sermon from the church we've recently been attending. Whether you're married or not, it's all about how it takes teamwork to make the dream work! The dream should always bigger than the team! Enjoy! Be blessed!


Dynamo, I thank you for loving me when I needed it the most. I thank you for being my rock. I thank you for being my soulmate. You make me a better person every. single. day! I can't wait to ride off into the sunset with you on Dreamwork! I love you forever and always.