Ambassador

Source inspiration: “It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear.” Exodus 32:18 [NIV]

Saints and soul riders,

Singletrack ambassadors,

Let’s ride!

32:18

Soul armored;

Mono-geared;

Single speeding;

Monocog singing.

32:18

The early disciples,

Rebels, outcasted,

Misfitted; outnumbered.

A ministry for the marginalized;

Misunderstood then and now;

They would have been mountain bikers.

Pedal and pace,

In open space;

Ride encouraged;

Build up a bike;

From frame up;

Build up each other;

Listen, rider up!

Introduce one another

To the sport;

Newbies transformed;

A new recreation;

A means of re-creation;

Regeneration; a new found joy;

Renewed balance;

Made stronger;

Every trail;

Through trials and tribulations:

Injuries and over-the-bars,

Pain and scars.

Recover;

We are of this world;

Dispensable;

Mere riders;

One day, True Open Space

Not of this world.
Be blessed and kept;

Let’s Ride!

Hold Your Line

Source inspiration: Romans 5:3-4 [NIV]

“…because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Saints and soul riders,

Let’s ride!

Soul armored;

Open space mosaic;

Under gun-metal skies;

Double rainbow;

Ineffable; undescribable;

Daily ride;

Pedal and pace;

Transformative;

Sacred place; sacred time.

A change of environment;

Chainline; driveline;

Gear shift.

Mysterium and Tremendum;

Ineffable;

Sacred moments;

Terrifying split seconds;

Gravity;

Attraction; repulsion;

Bivalent; carnal compulsion.

Open space; sky blue;

Hold your line;

Stay true.

Mythical exploration;

Next day, ride back;

Re-enact.

And so it becomes;

Ritual, tradition, transformation;

Personal reflection.

No need for explanation;

Ineffable.

Young at heart;

Modern generation;

Regeneration.

Closer to the wonder;

Mystery of creation.

Beyond mere intellect.

Let’s ride!

Mere fun and recreation;

His Glory and Re-creation.

A change of environment;

Regeneration.

Souls and Saints,

Be blessed and kept.

Pedal!

Source inspiration: “¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil 4:11-13 [NIV].

Saints and soul riders,

Let’s ride!

In open space,

Pedal and pace;

Gifted with grace.

Public and free.

In open space,

None judged; no disgrace;

Just pedal and pace.

In open space,

Release in faith;

Our Father sweeps and leads;

On a tandem, He rides back;

Helps us pedal;

Unseen, gives us strength.

When in control, we ride our way;

A bit unwilling; hesitant;

To let go;

A desire to go far;

Oftentimes, we end up

Over the bar.

Often overlooking; bypassing;

Sweet singletrack flow.

Then one day, as we pedal,

It happens:

On tandem, a switch of places.

He takes the lead,

He knows secret places;

Once unknown; now revealed.

Delightful long cuts, singletrack ribbons

And threads;

Up mountains, down rocky places;

Inspiring; breathtaking;

At speed, it flows and flows.

In open space;

With open ears;

Hear Him whisper, "Pedal!"

At times we ask, Where are you taking me?”

Madness; it may seem.

He takes us; riding the gnar.

In open space;

Captured; with open eyes;

We learn to see;

Pedal and pace

In His grace with faith.

Pedal and pace;

In open space;

Here all along;

Public and free.

On tandem, heaviness made light.

He steers; will not wreck;

He knows bike secrets;

Creator of gravity;

Bend sharp corners;

Jump high rocks;

Float deep ruts;

Level steep angles;

Stick and slide;

Off camber; no matter.

Ride; pedal and pace;

Constant motion; learn to be still;

Pedal strange places;

The view and breeze;

In open space; our tandem companion;

Always in control.

Pedaling and pacing.

Mile after mile;

Hand, legs, and mind numb;

Brutal moment, you think, “I can’t; No more.”

He smiles and says….”PEDAL.”

Next day, awake, refreshed, renewed;

We ride; all over again.

Pedal and pace.

Be blessed and kept.

Internal Bearing

Source inspiration: 1 Cor 10:12-13 [NIV]: ¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  ¹³No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Saints and soul riders!

Let’s ride!

Bottom bracket;

Concentric; eccentric;

Crankarms spindling;

Square tapered; splined;

Keeps us pedaling and pacing;

In open space,

Centered; threaded;

Listening; hearing;

With ears open;

Internal bearing;

Rotating;

Eternal.

Steep; rocky terrain,

External bearing;

Today, open eyes emitting

Slightly fearing;

A breathy whisper:

“No way.”

Pedal and pace into another day;

Perhaps, the air is crisper;

Beyond; sudden revelation;

Eyes opened; admitting;

A way emerges from no way;

A straight and narrow path;

A clearing;

True internal bearing.

Firm grip; ardent steering;

Spiritual muscularity;

Singletrack zeal;

Vitality captured and raptured;

Ride on and through;

Pedal and pace;

Beyond trials and tribulations.

Singletrack ribbon, thread, and spurs.

Law of gravitation;

Jubilation; regeneration; sanctification.

Over rock topography;

Local geography;

Eon atrophied;

Nature weathered.

Singletrack speaks:

“Tread on me! Tread on me!”

Jubilee, jubilee!

Recreational transformed;

Creational.

From hands and feet;

Into heart and soul;

Lifted from the status quo;

Ride and flow.

Let’s ride!

Be blessed and kept.

Clean Sweep

Source inspiration: John 12:3-7 [NIV]

³Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ⁴But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ⁶ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. ⁷ “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

Saints and soul riders!

Let’s ride!

Pedal and pace

In open space,

Let the ride provide;

Be transformed;

Public and free.

The anointed chain liberates;

Sanctifies; separates.

Be prepared;

Soar like an eagle

Into the ultimate Kingdom.

Ascend, descend, transcend.

Ride abundant

Instant movement;

Eternal moment;

Clean sweep; be still.

Let’s ride!

Be blessed and kept.

Consecrated Grip

Source inspiration: Joshua 3:5 [NIV]: ⁵Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”

Saints and soul riders!

Christmas tidings;

Blessings of future ridings.

Although we are mere,

We are His rank and file.

Singletrack and single file;

Mile for mile, we smile;

Near and a far;

We ride just as we are,

Incomplete;

Under one Kingdom and all

Mountain domains,

Aspiring to be complete.

The canyon eaglet;

Dreams of singletrack velvet;

In open space,

His Word unravels and reigns.

Let the ride be full symphonic.

Ride onward, whistle and shout:

Now, Blackstar! Now, Joplin! Now, Mustard, and Bovinian!
On, Cholla! On, Trabuco! On, Nobel and Telonics!

Let there be peace, glory and joy in every moment;

Let every ride be a legacy.

Let clay, rock, and sand

Sanctify our humility.

December,

‘Tis the season to remember,

Holiday grips,

Finger wrapped;

Shock absorbing;

Hand conforming;

Let your daily ride

Be ever transforming.

In our Father’s house;

A strong, firm grip,

Steers us to Kingdom peace;

By His grace, goodness, and strength;

Neverchanging;

Always engaging.

Get your grip,

Lock on; no slip.

Ride seasoned,

Like salt;

Gravity defying;

Satisfying; edifying;

Not mystifying.

Riders and Saints!

Consecrate yourselves,

For this New Year,

The Lord will do amazing things among you.

Let’s ride!

Be blessed and kept.

Landscapes

Saints and soul riders!

Extra ordinary;

Navigating open space;

Ever-changing landscape.

Remarkable;

Beyond ordinary;

Singular plurality;

Pedaling and pacing;

So naturally;

Sweet trails of liberty.

Autumn chill;

All seasons;

Daylight savings;

‘Tis the season;

For early evenings;

Makes thee hunger;

Craving, raving;

Over and yonder;

Landscape and thrills;

Local foothills.

Mountain bike riding,

Never a dull moment.

Open space;

Lost in atonement.

Creation; glorification.

Beyond ordinary;

Seasonal shifts;

Ever-changing;

Singletrack striations.

At times smooth;

Next rain rutted;

Then loose,

Rock spotted.

Enter trailhead;

Navigating singletrack;

Dirt ribbon; thread.

Landscape sailor;

Moment to moment,

Shifting derailleurs.

Dedication, edification.

Nautical, technical.

Our daily bread,

Made in heaven;

Constant; never changing;

Same yesterday, today, tomorrow.

Unleavened table bread,

Made in a hearth;

Here on Earth.

Pita, tortilla;

Torta, focaccia;

Lavash, naan;

Matzo, chapati;

Open space; natural;

Today terra firma;

Public and free.

Tomorrow, terra incognita.

Divine Trinity;

Supernatural.

Along the path;

In the moment.

Suddenly, randomly,

Dislodged rock,

Middle groove.

Knock, knock.

Navigation skills;

Feats of derring-do;

Overcoming shortcomings;

Near spills in the

Rock garden of Eden

Landscape Kingdom;

Angels and air shocks;

Behemoths and coil springs.

Creation; His offspring.

Be blessed and kept.

Measurements

Source inspiration: Mt 18:9-14

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

 ⁹To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ ¹³“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ¹⁴“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Saints and soul riders!

Let’s ride!

Measurements;

Numerical discernments.

Hub engagements.

Numbered days; rides;

Past history,

GPS data; virtual guides.

Newton’s mystery; gravity.

Physical, kinetic, magnetic.

Poetic.

Elevation gain; numerical,

Elation gained; evangelical.

Bespoken pace, cadence;

Open space, fragrance.

With each breath,

Truth; revelation.

Inspiration.

Soul riders,

Disciple: one bike;

Evangelist: two bikes;

Apostle: three bikes;

Saint: Four or more.

Rolling singletrack;

Downhill course;

Nature’s auditorium

For His discourse.

Ride alloy steed;

In the saddle

Pedal and pace;

Inspire open space grace:

His goodness and strength.

Be unyoked; He is our Guide.

Beyond mere numbers, infinity,

Even gravity, kinetic mass.

Rides a Yeti;

On a mustard seed;

And Bianchi SASS:

Soul Armored Single Speed.

Private space;

Gated; fenced;

Guided by code and law,

Property line; well-defined,

Such measurements; rulers.

Open space;

Public and free

(For some, a parking fee).

His eyes and ears,

Our Daily ride,

See and hear.

Disciples, evangelists, apostles, and saints!

Anointed into MTB ministry.

Ride unyoked; elevated;

GPS data, ride history.

All is erased,

In our future history.

Crown of victory.

Be blessed and kept.

Thick and Thin

Source inspiration: Genesis 41. Pharaoh has dreams of seven healthy fat cows devoured by seven skinny ugly cows; and seven healthy heads of grain swallowed by seven withered, thin heads of grain. Joseph, a Hebrew servant, interprets Pharaoh’s dreams indicating the land of Egypt will have seven years of great abundance followed by seven years of severe famine.

Soul riders!

Saints!

Let’s ride!

Thick ride;

Plush eight;

Double crowned;

Anointed heavyweight.

Downhill power back.

Thin ride;

Full rigid;

Monocogged;

Anointed flyweight.

Singletrack scat back,

Season cycles,

Ride the Luge;

Thick or thin will do.

Mud armored;

Slippery, clay phlegm;

Sliding mayhem!

Down the tube.

Ride quantities:

Thick calculations; estimations.

Thin, arrowhead lines;

Quadrants, directions; xyz trajectories;

Mass; speed; and gravity;

Narrow margins, laws and moments;

Angles, degrees, and 3D geometries;

Mathematics, axioms, proofs;

Notations; natural; physical;

Reasoning beyond common intellect.

For some, clear like thin soup.

For others, thick mystery.

Ride qualities:

Through thick and thin,

Inseparable pair.

Trials, tribulations; triumphs, victories.

Mental preparation; imagery;

Subtleties; complexities; and mysteries.

Seasoning like salt;

Sensations; supernatural; spiritual;

Understandable;

Table salt etiquette.

Universal flavor,

Savory; satifsfying

Warm hearty soup.

Be blessed and kept.

Breath Sounds

Source inspiration: Ps 100:1-5 (NIV)

¹Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. ²Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. ³Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. ⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. ⁵For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Riders and saints,

Let’s ride!

Mile after mile;

Handlebar in hand;

With hydration on demand.

Pedaling and pacing;

At times coasting.

Let the ride be

Lean rawhide;

Free of pride,

Translucent;

Wet it; dry it;

Reshape it.

Edify and tan it

With faith and wisdom.

Breathless breath sounds;

Steady pacing;

Grunt energy bursting;

Sometimes shouting; hooting;

Breath taking.

Stir it up!

Hydration;

Inspiration;

Perspiration;

Evaporation.

Repeating cycle.

Ride defined;

Listen inspired.

Silence of breathing.

Moment of transfiguration.

A joyful noise,

Inhalation; inspiration.

Exhalation; exhaltation.

Mountain cycle.

True characters revealed;

In rocky, unstable terrain.

Wheels spinning true;

Frame creaks and sqeaks;

Anointed chain smooth shifting;

Tubeless no leaks.

Up above; beyond sky blue.

In open space,

He speaks.

Ride in open space,

In silence be heard;

With every inspiration,

Breath sound,

Seek and we are found.

Be blessed and kept.

No Reverse

Source inspiration: Phil 3:13-14 (NIV)

¹³Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Riders and saints,

Let’s ride!

Between trees hidden.

Reveal tread tracks,

Forward bound ridden;

Singletrack ribbon,

No reverse to be found,

Only tire tread sound.

Epic ride;

Dawn to dusk,

Ride on,

Long, narrow, and steep;

Inch by inch;

Mile after mile;

Grimace with a smile.

So many lines;

Rocky rutty rolling

Weight back;

Drop in.

No reverse;

Forward on.

Graded climb,

Steep incline,

Eternity.

Crest over.

Fast downhill sweep;

Faster than a bird,

Or sound tweet.

Mile after mile;

Pedal and pace

Under His grace;

Kingdom space.

Riding trails builds trust;

As does daily trials; tribulation.

The anointed chain

Prevents rust.

Be blessed and kept.

Salty

Source inspiration: Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Soul riders and saints,

Let’s ride!

Be soul armored.

Strength from within.

Like rock salt,

Savory sodium.

Only one way to the podium.

Follow the path;

The truth; the light.

Our gift,

Amidst gravity;

Instability; at times

Unpredictability;

Blind corners;

Rocky paths.

Soul riders

Enduring and transforming.

Make a sweet glide.

Our daily ride

With knobby tread;

Our daily bread.

Over rocks, drops, ruts;

Ride with grace;

Pedal and pace

In open space.

Sweet and salty bread;

Figs, nuts, dates;

Protein shake;

All create

Savory humble pie;

Apple of His eye.

Riding m.t.b.,

Soil gravel;

Loose rock instability;

Moments of gravity;

Sandy slides;

Narrow ridges;

Rocky spines;

Steep climbs.

Singletrack ribbon;

This is open space heaven.

Rocky terrain;

Trail tribulation;

Hidden opportunity.

Soul armoured,

With clear eyes,

Seek the narrow line.

Soul restoration.

Majestic

Open space;

Do not forget

Gloves and socks;

Helmet of salvation;

Pack of hydration;

Pedal and pace.

Spin nobby;

Tread with grace.

Truly,

Narrow gates;

And rocky exposures,

Mile after mile,

Puts to the test;

Reveals our character

And our skills.

Be graceful

Under pressure.

Our mountain quest.

Be blessed and kept.