Nineteen years ago in Germany...

It was the year 1992.  On a small Army base in Ludwisburg, Germany called Krabbenloch Kaserne.  The month was February and the grounds were covered with snow.  Rowe, known in the Army by her last name 'Lorenzo', was sitting on the window sill of her barracks room.  Although her window was wide open, she didn't feel cold.  Feeling melancholy instead, she was smoking a cigarette and listening to The Smiths.  Deep in thought, she looked down forlornly at some Army buddies meandering towards the mess hall for lunch.  "I just wish I knew where he'll be stationed," she pondered.  It had been a week since she last received a phone call from Abe, known in the Army by his last name 'Hernandez'.  And it had been two weeks since she received his last letter.  She imagined Abe was Morrissey singing to her as he once had, and she felt even more sad.  She glanced longingly at the picture she had of him the last night they went dancing...

Abe and Rowe fell in love while they were in Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.  Rowe was in the class ahead of Abe's.  So when Rowe received orders to go to Germany, they said their goodbyes and promised to write often.  But they did not know when they would ever see each other again.  Rumors had been that Abe's class could be sent anywhere.  The couple hoped his orders would at least be in Germany...

"Lorenzo!" Rowe's buddy yelled from outside her barracks room, "I'm starving!  Let's go get some chow at the mess hall!"  Shaken back to reality from her thoughts, Rowe dragged herself off the window sill and trudged outside with her buddy.  Walking down the sidewalk, Rowe noticed a taxi dropping someone off in the distance.  A guy with a standard issue green duffel bag hopped out.  "Hey, doesn't that guy look like Hernandez?" she asked, nudging her buddy.  Rowe peered closer.  "It is Hernandez!"  Abe heard her call and turned.  As if in slow motion, he drops his duffel bag, and the two run towards one another.  Hugging, laughing and kissing, it was a joyful reunion of two soldiers in love...

That November 8th in 1992, we were married.  Nineteen years with my beloved Abe...and I love him now more than ever.  Our marriage could accurately be described as an adventurous motorcycle ride.  Magnificent and glorious, with sunny skies, bright sun and smooth roads.  But there have also been countless rocky patches, numerous thunderstorms, and we've nearly run each other off the highway many times.  But I would do the whole ride over again, as long as we're riding together.  Abe and Rowe, on His ride for at least another nineteen years, as the wheels are spinning... 

Wheels aren't spinning

Cold...wet...rainy...

the wheels will spin tomorrow...

Beloved dance

"Grant me wings that I may fly...my restless soul is longing.  No pain remains, no feeling...eternity awaits...", the Beloved track from VNV Nation echoes in the air.  Their harmony amidst deep bass resonates throughout the club.  On a dark, spanish-tiled dance floor, lasers intermittentlly flood the area with light.  Through the misty cloud of the fog machine, a wave of bodies dressed all in black could be seen.  Each dancer has their own unique style of movement: bizarre, exotic, subdued or brooding.  In unity, the dance floor appears beautifully choreographed. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N939-xgTBrM&feature=related

Ever since Abe and I have met, we have been drawn to dancing, especially to goth-industrial music.  When the right song plays, it speaks to our soul.  We're caught up in the moment, expressing the harmony through a melodious synchronization of dance.  Tonight we're headed to our local goth club, Skandal!  Dancing with my beloved while the wheels (and DJ's) are spinning...

Conspicuous cacophony

Rowe's bike is a Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883.  Its pipes are stock.  They aren't loud, they don't grumble.  Perhaps the bike was manufactured to be silent and stealthy.  On this particular day, though, something was different.  The day begins as usual before work:  Abe rolls Rowe's bike down from the garage.  Rowe meanders outside, late as usual, but prepared for her usual morning ride.  She hops on the bike, turns it on, and it growls.   It never growled before.  BRmppp...pa..pop..pa..pa..BRmppp.  "Hmm, that's weird," Rowe muses, "engine must be cold".  With her growling engine, she takes off.  At a red light, she stops between two cars, and her pipes continue their conspicuous cacophony.  The drivers in the cars rudely look over at the raucous cause of their early morning awakening.  "No idea why the pipes are acting up, but I think I like this sound of some real pipes!" Rowe ruminates.

Abe later explains that when he had last ridden the bike, he hit some sort of pothole, and probably loosened the pipes somehow.  Not sure whether the bike needs to be fixed and the pipes return to their stock sound.

For just one month, writing for the November Blog Fest is like having new pipes...something different that allows me to collectively gather my thoughts, adding a new view to my daily life.  A fellow blogger in his blog Simple but Significant appropriately describes it, "When you’re trying to create and post a coherent blog everyday, the world looks a little different...Conversations become inspirations, the rough surface of the day is mined for its precious metals, thoughts become words..."

I'm an accountant, not a writer, and as I write this, I'm trying not to over-analyze words, paragraphs, or grammar.  Just jotting down my thoughts through simple stories, sometimes metaphorically using my love of motorcycling.  Oh, and I love using thesaurus.com.  Blogging is an opportunity to utilize vocabulary I otherwise wouldn't use in daily life.  So...beneath the conspicuous cacophony of grumbling pipes, the wheels are spinning...

Roomie spray paint night

Pawn Stars..Diner, Drive-ins and Dives...The Office...the monotonous images of syndication flickered on the television.  Stretched out languidly in front of the mind-numbing set sit Abe and Rowe, completely bored.  "I'm bored, " Rowe laments to Abe.  "Me too," Abe replies half-awake, "whatcha wanna do?"  Couple of moments later, a spark of inspiration hits Rowe.  "Let's tag the fence!" she exclaims, now wide awake.  Abe's head instantly jolts up.  In moments, he is texting Kev:  Come home, time to spray paint...

After dragging about twenty bottles of spray paint from the garage and ensuring adequate music was blaring from the iPod, the threesome furiously get to work.  The smell of spray paint wafted in the air.  On what was once a dreary brown fence, art was created:  psychedelic, mind-altering, hallucinogenic depictions by Kev, aHbe Racer retro vintage bobber with a Live Free metaphor by Abe, and a pictorial message to a friend in Kihei, Maui that Abe and Rowe would like to visit again soon, tagged Mahalo brah by Rowe.

The Abode is home to five of us: Kevin, Abe, Jacqui, Justin, and Rowe.  We have different occupations, come from diverse backgrounds, and we all have distinct personalities.  Our schedules are busy, so it's rare to catch all five of us at home, at the same time.  But I cherish living in community.  Acts 2:42-47 talks about a fellowship of believers.  Although we aren't all believers, I think He put us all under the same roof for a reason.  Maybe just to share life together.  I'm not sure how the fence will look like in the end.  Many more tagging evenings await.  But collectively it should be a work of art, as the wheels are spinning...

Piece

Late night.  All was dark and ominous.  "Would you like a piece??" the guy with the goatee asked Rowe.

Long day working the aHbe Racer booth at a vintage car and moto show in Old Town San Diego.  Abe and Rowe were exhausted.  With the last of their booth stuff packed onto the truck, the duo are approached by two guys who were working the booth next to theirs.  Resembling greasers from the 1950s and sporting chains from their belts, they asked, "Want some refreshments?".  After an hour, the foursome were seen, still on the streets of Old Town, drinking their beers and cajoling. 

Deciding it was time to eat, the foursome make their way to a funky taco shop called Lucha Libre.  Parking could only be found down a dimly lit adjoining street.  Rowe was the first to find a spot to park her bike, while Abe had to continue quite aways up the hill.  Since there was a long line at the taco shop, the two greasers rushed to get in line.  Rowe stood all alone on the sidewalk, still waiting for Abe to park.  The guy with the goatee ran back to Rowe and asked, in a rather serious tone, "Would you like a piece??"  Unsure as to whether the guy meant a piece of gum or candy, Rowe replied, "Nah, that's ok.  We're going to eat right now."  Quizzically, the guy looked at her and said, "No, here...take my switchblade instead."

"Babes, a "piece" is a gun", Abe explained later, gently consoling Rowe for her naivety.  In retrospect, I felt a little embarrassed by my reply, but was grateful that I had comrades ensuring my protection from menacing San Diegans.  A fine night in the lives of aHbe Racer:  refreshing beer, scrumptious tacos, engaging convo, and new friends...piece and all, while the wheels are spinning...

Butterflies

Butterflies.  Deep in the pit of her stomach.  Not overwhelming apprehension, just a mild case of the jitters.  Although Rowe has been riding a motorcycle for five years now, there are moments when anxiety strikes.  Such was the case this morning on her daily commute to work.  As she does every morning, she leisurely makes her way towards the freeway onramp.  Happy as can be, the air was crisp and cool.  On the freeway overpass, waiting for the light to turn green, she glances down at freeway conditions.  Freeflowing, perfect.  The light turns green.  Engine reverberating beneath her, Rowe quickly accelerates onto the freeway.  She manuevers her bike to the carpool lane and speeds at eighty-five miles per hour.

After not too long though, the brake lights from the cars ahead of her start blinking red, one after another.  Red...red...red.  "Oh great," Rowe moans, "not traffic!"  As she draws closer, though, she sees it isn't traffic, but an accident.  Two cars smashed up against the freeway median.  Rowe gulps and the butterflies begin, "What if I was there??  How would I react??  Would I be quick enough??"  Slowly passing the collision, she revs her engine and takes off.  A bit spooked, she only goes sixty mph at first.  Mile after mile, she returns to eight-five mph, the butterflies slowly dissipating...

Not having blogged in over three months, the butterflies now loom.  With each passing month, it just seemed harder and harder to make myself post anything.  Just when I was beginning to think my blogging days were over, my dear sister, Cristin, mentions the November Blog Fest.  One post a day.  A seemingly insurmountable task.  Butterflies loom, but the wheels haven't stopped spinning...

Rock shower to born free

It was an early Saturday morning as Abe and Rowe rode leisurely along the 91 freeway, towards Orange County.  Spirits were high, the air was brisk, the sun's rays were barely peeking beyond the horizon.  Then, all of a sudden:  poink!  thud!  poink!  Thud!  This was the sound of rocks and gravel pummeling Abe and Rowe as they rode.  "What the ---!"  they exclaimed.  Looking ahead, the duo spots several uncovered trucks carrying loads upon loads of loose rock and gravel.  "Oh no, an onslaught!" thought Abe, as he rode with one arm shielding his face, since he only wears a half-helmet.  Whomp!  As another rock whacked Rowe's leg, she moaned, "Gosh darn it!  I think I may be bleeding!" Amidst the ominous shower, the one thought that kept the duo riding was the excitement of arriving at their next event, the Born Free Show at Oak Canyon Ranch.

And the Born Free Show was well worth the early morning torment.  Rows upon rows of vintage motorcycles covered the whole landscape: old Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs, Indians, Hondas.  The aura that filled the air was reminiscent of the epoch time from the 1940s to 1980s:  Pin-up hairdos, hippies, rockabilly...an assortment of people, riders and non-riders alike, united in their love of the classics.  Sharing a booth together, aHbe Racer and Kiwi Indian Motorcycles contentedly gazed out on the marvelous vista of vintage motos and unique crowds.

aHbe Racer is currently in a "rock shower".  Starting a business, especially in this economy, is quite challenging.  But the ride continues, despite a momentary slow-down.  The Born Free show encompasses our "why" of starting aHbe Racer: the love of the ride, deep sounds of moto engines, creative bike builders, novel apparel, unique people, delicious food & drink, valued fellowship.  This event represented nearly all we thought about in the beginning, when we first started aHbe Racer.  The "rocks" may "sting" now, but we're excited to see where the bend in the road ahead may lead.  This is His ride after all...leading us safely through the rocks...while the wheels are spinning...

Racing door to door

Enter into the world of the aHbe Racer sales team...

The alarm clock goes off.  Bouncing out of bed, Abe and Rowe are excited to begin a weekend of work, doing door to door sales.  After racing down the stairs, Abe begins to meticulously place clothing samples in his backpack.  Rowe puts the coffee on, and rushes around, gathering linesheets and business cards.  Sammy, their cohort, awaits them in Escondido, prepared with a list of prospective stores they plan on visiting.

With the bikes all packed up, Abe and Rowe race down the 15 freeway and meet up with Sammy in a parking lot.  There, the team strategically maps out their riding course.  Upon arrival at their first destination, Abe, their fearless sales leader, walks straight up to the counter and asks for the buyer.  The buyer hesitantly meets with him and is guarded at first.  Abe confidently takes the samples out of his backpack and lays them one by one on the counter.  Gradually, the buyer's demeanor transforms to enthusiasm as she pictures how aHbe Racer's vintage moto-inspired apparel would be a novel addition to her store.

While hanging out at the store, follow-up calls are scheduled and possible delivery dates are discussed.  As the Team leaves, they high-five one another for an awesome sales lead!  Elated, they hop on their bikes, rev up their engines and race to their next store...

aHbe Racer is thrilled to announce they are now carried in five locations: Glory Sales in Hollywood, Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson in Riverside, Renegade Classics in Corona, The Chopper Gallery in Temecula, and our newest addition, Malcolm Smith Motorsports in Riverside!

Door to door sales on motorcycles.  Meeting new people, showing the line, building relationships.  Racing from store to store.  What better way to work for Him while the wheels are spinning...

Sunny skies and the soldier

Abe and Rowe had it in their minds that early Sunday morning to ride from San Marcos to Santa Monica.  A road trip of a mere 120 miles.  The weatherman reported sunny skies at their destination.  They longed to spend the afternoon riding alongside the coast, soaking in the sun's rays, relishing the ocean breezes.  As they looked up at the gloomy, gray sky though, the ride ahead didn't seem as tranquil as they had hoped...

Blurry...helmet visor fogging up...Rowe strained her head upwards, hoping to catch a glimpse of the wet road as she rode.  Abe's facemask was soaked, and rain droplets fell from the edges of his helmet.  At 60 mph, the raindrops felt like miniature needles, piercing their skin from all angles.  Soggy socks, swishy boots, soaked jeans.  One minute, the precipitation was a mild irritation, but once the downpour arrived, increasing anxiety ensued.  "Now I really can't see," Rowe thought as she blindly rode, "this is just plain dangerous.  I'm scared!"  Cars zoomed past the duo as they rode, splashing them with water.  Rowe prayed for Abe to read her mind and get off the freeway.  As if on cue, Abe's right blinker went off, signaling that they were exiting...

What kept Abe and Rowe going on that rainy ride to Santa Monica, was the promise of sunny skies.  After several stops along the way, they eventually reached their destination.  While hardly an accurate comparison, rain riding is a little like serving in the military.  Abe and Rowe remember the challenges of being soldiers.  Today, their son is a soldier himself.  Our service men and women weather the storms of injustice to fight for those that can't.  But unlike rain riding, they don't have the luxury of "pulling off the road" when they are scared.  They persevere, even when they can't see through their "foggy helmets".  With their boots soaked and socks squishy, they push through the storm.  Some never arrive at the "sunny destination".  But they "ride through the rain" so we may.  On this Memorial Day, aHbe Racer humbly thanks our military for their bravery while the wheels are spinning...

Monkey butt

7am, Sunday morning.  The phone rings...a pause...it rings again.  Abruptly awoken from his slumber, Jay B. peers drowsily at his cell phone.   The caller is Cristin M.  Still half asleep, he lays his head back down on his pillow.  "If it's an emergency, she'll call again," Jay B. tells himself as he slowly starts to drift off to sleep.  A few moments pass.  Sure enough, the phone rings once more.  "Yep, it's her again," Jay B. mutters as he sleepily answers, "Hey girl, what's up?"  A muffled noise from the other end.  "Jay!  I'm so sorry to wake you.  Can you please come pick me up??  I've been plagued by monkey butt!"

Team aHbe Racer had been riding all day Saturday.  After Abe and Rowe met up with Sammy in San Marcos, they continued on to Poway to pick up Cristin M.  She rode on the back of Abe's bike all throughout North San Diego County: up the 15 freeway, back to San Marcos, across the 78 freeway to Oceanside, then finally down to Carlsbad.  To clarify, the seat on the back of Abe's bike isn't the plush, comfy seat found on the back of touring bikes.  On the contrary, it is a bare-bones, poor excuse for a seat: rigid, uncomfortable, with no back support whatsoever.  Needless to say, Cristin M. could barely walk the next day.

Cristin M.'s mom, who also rides on the back of her husband's bike, characterized her daughter's condition: monkey butt.  According to the Urban Dictionary, it's "a term used in the motorcycle world to define what your butt looks like after a long ride..."

So on that early Sunday morning, Cristin M. could not fathom the thought of riding the nearly 100 miles back home on the back of Abe's bike.  Team aHbe Racer came to the conclusion that help was needed from their church family group.  "What's he saying??" Rowe anxiously inquired as Cristin M. awaited Jay B's decision.  "Wait...he's thinking," Cristin M. replied, still on the phone.  A brief interlude ensued as Jay B. weighed his options, groggily sitting on the edge of his bed: should I just sleep in, tell her to find another way?? or drive the 100 miles to help my sister in Christ from impending doom??  "Okay...give me a few moments to get ready," Jay B. acquiesced.  "I should be there in an hour or so." 

Jesus says, "Love one another...put your life on the line for your friends."  Sometimes this means foregoing sleep, driving far away early in the morning, to save a sister from monkey butt, as the wheels are spinning...

Bullets

The high-pitched engine shrills of two sportbikes and the deep gutteral roars of two Harley engines.  Yaaaoowww, pop-pop...pop-pop...yaaaoowww.  Like bullets shot from an assault weapon...the motorcycles blast off...

The aHbe Racer crew: Abe on his Harley Deluxe 1584, Sammy on his Suzuki GSXR 1000, Jay W. on his Honda CBR 600, and Rowe on her Harley Iron 883.  Out for a leisurely Easter ride.  Abe, leading the ride, takes the crew through the country roads of San Timeteo Canyon to Beaumont.  The crew had been riding in cruise mode.  Upon reaching a wide-open stretch of suburban road though, Abe slows his bike to a crawl of about 30 mph.  Confused, Sammy, Jay W. and Rowe slow their bikes to an excruciatingly slow pace as well.  Then, like a loaded cocked pistol, Abe tucks in, positioning his upper-body parallel to the gas tank (kissing chrome).  He revs his throttle several times and blasts off.  Pop-pop..pop-pop..sccchhhooommm.  From a crawl to flying in seconds.  Realizing that the race is on, Sammy flattens himself parallel with his handlebars.  Flying past Abe in seconds.  Yaaoow...yaaoowww...sccchhooommm.  Going so fast he inadvertently clips a bird as it swoops down from the sky.  Jay W., giddy at the chance to finally ride his CBR the way it was meant to be ridden, also shoots off.  His peripheral vision blurs beyond his helmet visor.  Yaaaoowww...yaaaoowww...YAAAOOWWW...

In the rear of the pack, Rowe leisurely maintains her relaxed ride.  She observes how the three bullet bikes up ahead resemble tiny little dots, spots on the horizon...

For the loyal followers of the aHbe Racer blog: you may have been wondering about the lack of blog posts these past two weeks.  Your blogger, Rowe, took a semi-sabbatical:  a moment to reflect during Holy Week...a chance to catch up on bookkeeping...and to be honest, a chance to just do nothing.   Newly rejuvenated, the time for a slow crawl is over.  Our speedometer awaits to blast off yet again.  The aHbe Racer crew, faster than speeding bullets, on the ride He leads, while the wheels are spinning...

Night

An opaque balmy night.  On the grassy slope of Skip Fordyce's lawn stood a lone motorcycle, a Harley Davidson Iron 883.  Illuminated by the light of the Harley Davidson sign.  Bike night at Skip Fordyce was over.  It had been an incredible evening: an array of bikes had rumbled in, bands played, barbeque on the fire, people everywhere.  Engine fumes from the bikes still lingered in the air.  aHbe Racer's family was all present: Sammy, Cristin M., Larissa, Julius, Rowe, and Abe, eating and conversing.

Together, they had torn down the booth in seconds flat.  With the last remaining equipment loaded onto the aHbe Racer truck, all that remained was the motorcycle on the grassy slope.  As Rowe sat on the bike, ready to roll it down the hill, she reflected on the simple joys of life: family, bikes, business, food, and meeting new people.  On the sidewalk, Cristin M. and Larissa were getting their groove on with some hip-hop moves.  Smiling, Rowe turns on her engine and meets the others down the hill.   Against the backdrop of the glowing moon, all packed up and ready to go, Team aHbe Racer rides into the night.

aHbe Racer continues to be awed at how God is working in our lives.  Without His light, we would be stumbling around in the dark.  At church this past Sunday, we learned how to truly worship the Man, "who needs no introduction."  Humbled, we follow Him through the night as the wheels are spinning...

Plans

Sammy looked dismally at his parked bike in the garage.  Two months since he's ridden with Abe and Rowe.  Conflicting schedules and bad weather had made riding together difficult to plan: "Yah, let's ride this weekend, the weather should be good." Four days later, the weekend arrives: it's windy, rainy, and hailing.  "Ok, for sure this coming weekend!", a pause, "Oh no, I forgot I have to work!  Can't ride.  How 'bout next weekend??  Oh, you can't then?? Bummer!"  On and on it went.  Finally, just this past week, Sammy gets a text from Rowe, "Hey, are you free this weekend?  Help us with Bike Night on Friday, and let's all go riding Saturday."  Although Sammy had intended to move into his new pad, he spontaneously puts his prior plans aside.  "Who cares, I'm riding with Abe & Rowe.  It's been way too long!!" He texts Rowe back, "I'll be there!!  Make room for my bike in the booth, I have aHbe Racer stickers all over it!" 

Put your prior plans aside.  Meet us at the booth this Friday night, April 15th from 6pm-9pm @ Skip Fordyce in Riverside.  Join us on our motorcycle ride.  Team aHbe Racer will be reunited once again, while the wheels are spinning...

Tires

"Caught in the rain again!" the moto rider bemoans his unfortunate predicament.  Abe is riding his bike, speeding on the freeway, headed home from Los Angeles.  Trying to beat the ominous rain clouds that loomed above, but to no avail.  The sky opens up, and raindrops fall.  Plink...plink...plink.  The wind and rain combination produces a stinging effect, "Ouch!"  Abe mourns, and speeds up faster.  Unrelenting rain.  Slick roads...sleek pavement...puddles.  After an hour of misery, Abe finally reaches home.  Drenched.

A motorcycle's engine, torque, handling, design, and sound are among the first features that moto riders appreciate on a bike.  But a bike's tires are often taken for granted, although they are very important in the performance of a bike.  Without reliable tires, Abe wouldn't just be feeling the rain's sting, he would have been slipping and sliding all over the freeway.  Without dependable tires, he wouldn't feel confident in taking tight turns when transitioning freeways.  And without steadfast tires, he wouldn't be racing down the freeway in the rain, trying to escape a thunderstorm...

Up until last week, aHbe Racer was feeling overwhelmed with the daily aspects of running a company.  Abe has superb design and sales skills; Rowe is good at accounting and admin stuff.  But they realized they couldn't do it all themselves.  They needed a third person, someone who is great at business and finance.  In answer to our prayers, we welcome Brian to Team aHbe Racer!  He represents the tires on our bikes that will keep us on track, take us wherever God leads.  Racing down the freeway, at 200 mph...well, maybe not in the rain, though...while the wheels are spinning...

The booth

Journey with us to the heart of the booth:

  The aHbe Racer motorcycles are ridden to the event, followed by the aHbe Racer truck filled with event paraphernalia.  Upon arrival, the aHbe Racer Team hurriedly unloads the truck, sets up the E-Z Up, sets up the table and chairs, hangs the shirts, fills the displays. Brother and sister, working side by side. The motorcycles are parked on both sides of the booth.  Outlining the perimeter of the booth are the aHbe Racer shirts, on hangers, waving gently as the breeze blows between them.

Venturing inside the booth, we see the Team taking a break, munching out on some burritos.  The Team chats about how their day is going, they memorize Bible verses, they confess what they're struggling with.  Hugs, love, and noon-time prayer.  Throughout the day, potential customers stop by the booth, wondering what aHbe Racer is all about.  Each Team member, in their own way, shares the vision, depending on who they talk to: aHbe Racer is moto-inspired apparel...vintage motorcycles...passionate about riding...food box donations.  At the end of the day, the exhausted Team breaks down the booth.  Putting away the shirts, loading the truck back up, bringing down the EZ UP.  They ride back home, exhausted and tired, but deeply contented...

This is aHbe Racer's dream of community.  Living daily life with one another: eating, praying, working, serving, and reaching others.  On a mission, shoulder to shoulder, reaching across communities together.  Friday, April 15th will be our next event: Bike Night from 6pm-9pm @ Skip Fordyce in Riverside.  Meet us at the booth, while the wheels are spinning...

Reaching
Across
Communities
En
Route

Rest stop

Around the twisties of Ortega Highway...through the backroads of the San Diego countryside, down the freeway to the city...Team aHbe Racer rode and rode.  Half a day's worth of riding...enjoying each other's company, soaking up the sun's rays, relishing the soft breeze.  They hardly felt that they were getting tired.  As the day wore on though, the fatigue slowly set in:  Abe's hands on the throttle began cramping up, Sammy's back began feeling stiff, and Rowe's bottom was getting numb.  With Abe leading the Team, he recognized everyone's exhaustion.  As if on cue, he switches his right signal light on, indicating the riders are exiting the freeway. 

After a brief interlude at the rest stop, a cool beverage, and some stretching, Team aHbe Racer hops back on their bikes.  Rejuvenated.  With newfound strength, they race back up the freeway, through the backroads and around more twisties.  Riding until the sun sets...

We all need to momentarily exit the "freeway" and pull into a "rest stop".  To do nothing.  Just rest.  Leave behind our chaotic schedules and anxious thoughts.  Time out.  A breather.  Resting with Him so the wheels keep on spinning...

Go

Through the misty haze of the early morning fog, two moto riders crawl to a stop at a four-way traffic light.  The light had just turned red.  The riders patiently await their turn to go through the intersection.  Glancing off to their right, they take note that the cross traffic's light has changed from yellow to red, indicating that their own light should be signaling green at any moment.  They wait...and wait.  But instead of their own light turning green, the cross traffic's light switches from red back to green.  Abe and Rowe look at each other and shake their heads.  "We've been skipped over!" is the thought racing through their minds.  They try to maneuver their bikes back over the traffic loop detector on the ground.  The cross traffic's light slowly switches from green, to yellow, then red.  "Yay, we've been detected!" the riders assume.  They switch their bikes from neutral to first, ready to take off.  But instead of their light turning green, it skips over them once again.  The cross traffic's light switches from red back to green, while their own light remains red.  Abe turns to Rowe and yells above the roar of their engines, "We could either sit here all day, or just go ahead and cross the intersection!"

One of the frustrations of being a moto rider is being stuck at a red light that never changes.  This happens at intersections that use loop detectors in the pavement.  In motorcycle school, we are taught that in these circumstances, as long as traffic is clear, you should carefully cross the intersection.

The "traffic light" may be red or the "loop detector" doesn't detect you.  So you sit and wait.  At some point, God says to simply trust Him and go.  Such was the case with Abraham when God told him to leave everything and go to a place He would show him.  There was no map, no gameplan, only God's prompting.  At aHbe Racer, God is leading us to go.  Find His lost and lonely riders.  Help them join His ride.  Helping others along the way.  We're happy to announce our website is now live! We're on the go...over the loop detector, past the red light, through the intersection, following Him while the wheels are spinning...

always
Him
before
everything

Look up

"I can't see!" Rowe complained as her goggles fogged up.  She sits in the dark, waiting for Abe to roll his bike out of the garage.  Looking up, she wonders why the moon is still shining.  6:00am...early Saturday...a very chilly morning.  The day of the Riverside Airshow.  To help with driving, Larissa and Julius had arrived bright and early.  All was set to go.  In the loaded aHbe Racer truck is Julius, and following, in their yellow car, sits Larissa.  All is quiet in the neighborhood except for the rumble of Rowe's bike.  Anticipatory waiting.  As Abe rolls his bike down the driveway, he turns on his engine.  The thunder of the two bikes' engines awakens the neighborhood as the foursome proceeds out.

Chilled to the bone, lips numb, fog rising from their breath...it is a cold ride to the airfield.  Upon arrival, though, their excitement could hardly be contained, "This is our biggest venue yet!  We have an awesome spot!"  With help from Julius, Larissa, Cassie, and Victoria, the aHbe Racer booth is up in no time...

All day long, heads were tilted, looking up...watching amazing aerial aerobatic planes and skydivers.  Numerous attendees stopped by the aHbe Racer booth - taking pictures of the aHbe Racer motorcycles, asking information about the clothing line and website, sharing stories of cross-country motorcycle rides.  Excited to see friends from Sandals Church.  Grateful to have community group members help with tear-down: Jay B., Rachel, Cristin M., and Nicole. 

Tired, cold, and exhausted.  aHbe Racer wishes they could say they sold a ton of shirts and raised enough money to donate ten boxes to Treasure Box.  But only a single shirt was sold that day.  Looking up at their Father, they wait in expectant hope of what will come next.  "How will that look like???", they ask Him. 

At church this past Sunday, Pastor Matt spoke on the feeding of the 5000.  The disciples were tired and hungry, but Jesus asked them to feed the hungry before feeding themselves.  Trusting Him, they did as He asked.  They weren't sure whether there would be enough to feed the multitudes, much less themselves.  But after the 5000 were fed, there were 12 bushels of leftovers, more than enough for each one of the disciples...

In our weakness, God works through us.  Our engines are on...we sit and wait.  Looking up to Him, we trust He will provide.  After all, this is His ride, and His wheels are spinning...

Flying

Haze envelops the base of Big Bear Mountain.  The morning dew shimmering sparkles as the sun lightly touches the silver edges of the clouds.  Glistening.  Through the mist, a rumble could be heard.  Growing louder and louder.  Two moto riders, Abe and Rowe, on their bikes, break through the fog.  Whipping breeze, a glorious landscape encircles them, thunderous roaring engines, a subtle scent of deciduous trees...even the gentle wind tastes delectable.  As if on cue, Abe takes both of his hands off the handlebars, extending them outwards.  Flying.  His arms remain outstretched for a full minute.  No fear of losing control...ultimate submission.  Worshipping our magnificent King, amidst His scenic creation... 

Riding a motorcycle is analogous to flying.  Free as a bird.  Every sensation is heightened: sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste.  God gives wind to our ride, gliding free from the shackles of this world.  As He says, "...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles..."

This Saturday will be aHbe Racer's third event, held at the Riverside Airshow.  Excited anticipation, "Do we have enough shirts to sell??  Who will be there??  Will our booth be in a good location?  Is it going to rain??"  Momentarily putting our queries aside, we let Him do the flying.  Our arms remain outstretched, humbled to be on His ride...through the fog, soaring...as the wheels are spinning...

Motorcycles

"Should I??  Nah, I shouldn't...but, maybe I should??"  Rowe stood, helmet in hand, and stared at both bikes pulled out of the garage.  A Harley Davidson Iron 883 and a Honda CBR 600RR.  She had already planned on taking her own bike to work, the Iron 883.  But the CBR 600RR enticed her.  Abe piped up, "Just take the CBR, it's a motorcycle..."  A few moments later, Rowe is slowly taking off on the CBR, delicately feeling the differences in the position of the shifter and foot brake.  On her Iron 883, her feet are in front of the bike, instead of behind.  "This feels weird...and the cornering is tighter...and I feel higher up off the ground."  Rowe noted the differences in the bike's handling.  Perspiration beads up on her forehead as she tenaciously rides the side streets to work on the CBR...

By the time the weekend arrives, Rowe is flying down the freeway on the CBR.  Thinking the speedometer is off, she wonders why going 90 mph feels effortless...

Cruisers, choppers, sportbikes, bobbers - all motorcycles.  Tensions exist between some moto riders, but in times of need, we help one another.  Sportbikes, such as Suzuki and Honda, with manufacturing plants in Japan, have been hard hit due to the earthquake.  But it's awesome to hear that Harley Davidson has donated towards their relief.  No barriers...

Team aHbe Racer is comprised of a cruiser, a sportster and a sportbike; our solidarity is the love of the ride.  As God says, "...pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences..."  Hot off the press: just found out Skip Fordyce in Riverside will soon be carrying aHbe Racer!  Join us in following a good Father through His wondrous journey, building His kingdom, as the wheels are spinning...

Grooves

Smooth riding.  An open road free from roughness, ridges or bumps.  The moto riders practically glide on the freeway.  The sweet humming from the moto engines is all that can be heard.  Then suddenly, droooommmmmm, droooommmmmm, droooommmmmm.  Abe and Rowe had reached a stretch of unpaved, course-textured road, lined with deep grooves.  Their speed decreases considerably, and the moto riders move their bikes to the far right-hand lane.  Above the drone of their engines could be heard the deep sound of the grooves beneath their bikes.  Droooommmmmm.   The grooves in the road make their handlebars wobbly.  Their arms tire as they struggle to keep their bikes steady.  Increasing anxiety with each grooved mile.  Time seemed to be at a standstill. 

Our "ride" following Christ is not always smooth.  Our ride "wobbles" as "grooves" arise on our path, slowing us down, and giving us anxiety.  His Word says, "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."

Ten miles later, the moto riders finally pass the grooves, and are back on smooth road.  Relieved, Abe and Rowe rev their engines, pick up speed, and continue their race down the freeway...

At aHbe Racer, we've reached a patch of grooved road on our journey.  As we worry about business funding, our anxiety is heightened.  We focus on how our "bikes" feel unsteady and how tired we're getting as we keep the "handlebars" steady.  How quickly we forget the smooth roads He's already provided for us throughout this journey.  He assures us smoother roads lay just around the corner.  Grateful for His leading, we continue following Him, through grooved roads and rough patches, as the wheels are spinning...

Rising sun

Overcast.  A concealed sun attempts to peek through the clouds.  Brief glimpses of the hidden sun's rays.  Headed to the Irwindale Speedway for aHbe Racer's second event: the XDC Drift Circuit.  Driving the aHbe Racer truck, loaded down with event equipment, are Jay B. and Leo.  Cruising on the  freeway.  In front of the truck, Abe, Jay W. and Rowe ride their bikes slightly tucked in, bracing themselves from the cool wind.  "Wasn't it supposed to be sunny today???"  the moto riders wondered.

All day, aHbe Racer waited for the sun to rise.  Still, a chill lingered in the air.  In the aHbe Racer booth, friends helped out in distinct ways:  Leo had constructed copper back pieces so the aHbe Racer banner was seen above the crowds.  Jay B. drove the truck all the way back home for some forgotten aHbe Racer stickers, even after getting a ticket en route to the speedway.  Nicole lifted everyone's spirits with conversation and Bible verse memorization.  Jay W. mingled with the crowd, drawing people to the booth.

Cars drifted around the speedway.  Smoke filled the air from the squealing car tires.  Drifting as a motor sport began in Japan and as we watched the race, the recent devastation in Japan laid heavy on our hearts.  Between aHbe Racer's two events so far, enough has been raised to provide a meal box for a local needy family through Treasure Box.  Next, God is calling us to give a portion of all sales to the relief efforts in Japan through World Vision.  As His family, we each have distinct ways to help our Japanese brothers and sisters.  Let's follow Him together on this ride across the Pacific, past the rubble, through the clouds.  Japan's sun will rise again, as the wheels are spinning...

Glory

Awe-inspiring.  Majestic snow-capped mountains to the north...a vibrant cerulean sky with puffy white clouds...an invigorating chill envelops Team aHbe Racer as they race towards Los Angeles.  The broad city landscape an intense, rich, deep color.  The overhead sun's rays granting each rider a toasty feeling as they slice through the freeway.  Abe, Rowe, and Sammy feeling a deep sense of gratitude as they ride together...contentment...on such a glorious day...flying as free as a bird.

God delights in giving His children glimpses of His glory on our "ride" through life.  But heaven's ride will be far beyond comparison.  A regal entourage of collective moto engines rumbling...a thunderous worship...riding in unity, following the King Himself.  Racing down heaven's freeways.  No more worries about crashing, potholes, traffic or bad weather.  Soaring.  Simply glorious...

Awestruck...as we witness God leading aHbe Racer on His ride.  Just recently, Glory Sales, an amazing motorcycle apparel boutique in Hollywood, said they'd be pleased to carry the clothing line.  aHbe Racer will be available for purchase at Glory Sales in about a month.  We're so grateful and honored to be reaching the people of Hollywood!  As we bask in His glory, we're eager to see where He's headed next.  Kicking our bikes into gear, we follow Him on His journey, while the wheels are spinning...

Open it up!

"JEEE-SUS!!! Yahhh, dawg!!!" Kelly yells above the roar of the bikes' engines.  Euphoria...elation...exhilaration.  Abe in the lead on his Harley Deluxe 1584, Rowe riding second on Jay's Honda CBR 600 and Kelly in third on Rowe's Harley Iron 883.  Johannes driving the F-150 truck loaded down with shirts and set-up equipment.   Headed down to Mihali Cycles for aHbe Racer's pre-launch event.  Over the railroad tracks, approaching an open stretch of road to Riverside: Van Buren Blvd.  Instantaneously, Abe takes off...50 mph...60 mph...70 mph...80 mph...within a few seconds.  Racing down the straightaway.  Rowe and Kelly left in his dust.  They eventually catch up to Abe a few moments later.  Upon arriving at Mihali Cycles, Kelly bounds off his bike and gently scolds Rowe, "You gotta open it up, Rowe!!  That sportbike is made to accelerate quickly!  It needs speed!"  Rowe nodded in agreement, "I know, I know...I'll admit, this sportsbike intimidates me...but next time I'll open it up for sure!!"

A flurry of excitement.  The morning began with Johannes bounding down the stairs, yelling, "Wake up, wake up!!" Abe running around, shouting "Hurry, let's go...let's go!".  Kelly and Mel coming over to load up the truck...Rowe making breakfast tacos...Kelly leading group prayer...Rachel waiting at Mihali Cycles to help with set-up...Johannes running to get change.  Setting up the tent...folding the shirts, arranging the booth display. 

Bikes rumbled in and out of the parking lot throughout the day.  aHbe Racer's community from Sandals arrived for fellowship, including prayer behind the aHbe Racer tent.  Mihali Cycles provided yummy hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, and soda.  Excitement surrounded the tent as people viewed aHbe Racer's new clothing line.  Shirts were sold and pre-orders taken.  aHbe Racer is happy to say they're halfway towards their goal:  for every 20 shirts sold, a box meal from Treasure Box is donated to a needy family! 

End of the day.  Exhaustion.  With the help of Clint, Johannes and Jay B., breaking down the tent and riding the bikes home was done at lightning speed.  The day was amazing.

Leading this ride is our Lord Jesus and He's "opening it up", increasing His speed.  Two months ago, He instructed us to find His lost, reach His people, feed the hungry, clothe the naked with aHbe Racer as the tool.  We ask that He increase our faith.  He powers the "engine", so we can't be afraid to "open it up" on the straightaways.  We're so grateful for our community group and supporters.  Shifting from first gear...to second...to third...to fourth.  Acceleration on His ride while the wheels are spinning...

Take off

North San Diego County...10pm at night...a still night, the moon shines bright.  Yet, above the tranquility could be heard a high revving sound.  A lone Suzuki GSXR 759 sportbike.  Yaowww...yaowwwww...then the engine idles.  Yaowww...yaowwwww...the engine idles.  Again and again.  As our scene draws closer, we see Sammy riding around a neighborhood cul de sac: taking off, practicing his turns, shifting through the gears, speeding up. slowing down, stopping...taking off again...

Earlier in the evening, Sammy was sitting on his bike, in his garage, staring at his bike's odometer, contemplating,  "Seriously?  I can't be scared.  Okay, I've had this bike for a year now, and I only have 15 miles on it.  How sad is that??  I just have to ride.  Now."  This is how it went every night, for two weeks.  Sammy honing his riding skills.  Over and over.  In the beginning, his top speed was no more than 25 mph, but with each night's practice session, his proficiency increased.  Today, more than seven years later, Sammy can be seen slicing through the freeway on his GSXR 1000, effortlessly handling tight curves, speeding at 100 mph...racing...

aHbe Racer's pre-launch will be at Mihali Cycles on March 5th.  Only three more days.  Mild anxiety creeping in.  Doubts try to emerge.  "Can we really do this??  What if no one comes??  How will this look like??"  Two months of preparation, riding around the block practicing, so to speak.  Following Him on this journey and He's led us to this place. We're humbled, grateful and excited.  Moto-inspired apparel, reaching across communities en route.  always Him before everything.  Three...two...one...take off...while the wheels are spinning...

Pit stop

Brisk...speed averaging 80-90 miles per hour...cool airstream enveloping the moto-riders as they glide north on the 5 Freeway. On approaching a Y-intersection on the freeway, they continue on the right, instead of veering to the left.  Vast farmlands on both sides of the freeway...nothing is on the riders' minds except pure enjoyment...

"Um, I wonder what he's doing?" Rowe wonders, snapped alert from her mindlessness, "this isn't an exit..."  Abe's speed decreases and he drifts to the right.  A pit stop on the freeway's shoulder.  She follows his lead, positioning her bike over the loose rocks and gravel.  Trucks and cars deafeningly dash close by.  Abe hops off his bike and walks over to Rowe loudly saying, "Did you see the Y-intersection?  Were we supposed to veer left??  Googlemaps said to remain on the right.  I'm gonna call to be sure!"  Schoom...schoom...18-wheelers hurtle by, creating blasts of wind as they pass the parked moto-riders.  Rowe waits on her bike, pretty certain they are on the right path.  Abe returns, nodding enthusiastically, "Yup!  We're on the right path!  Let's go!"

A pit stop is a brief interlude in a rider's journey to ensure all is well with his motorcycle.  Last week, aHbe Racer was in a mild panic.  With the pre-launch a mere two weeks away, shirts still had to be ordered.  The problem was, they had minimal funds.  They prayed in earnest to God, a sincere, respectful prayer of petition to their Father, similar to David's words in Psalms, "Hurry with Your answer God!  I'm nearly at the end of my rope...point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before You..."

The very next day, aHbe Racer receives a call from their friend, Johannes, from their community group at Sandals.  He offers to fund the initial run of shirts.  aHbe Racer is ecstatic and so thankful for Johannes' help!  God has totally opened doors of opportunity and provided each step of the way these past two months.  The shirts are currently being printed and will be ready in time for aHbe Racer's pre-launch on March 5th.  He never ceases to amaze us, and all we could do is marvel at His timing.  With a few pit stops along the way, making sure He remains the Head of this journey, we simply follow His lead while the wheels are spinning...

Kissing chrome

Headed north on the 15 freeway...cars are everywhere...merging onto the freeway, switching lanes, slowing down, speeding up, minor pockets of gridlock...Team aHbe Racer riding leisurely through it all, weaving in and out of traffic, sometimes splitting lanes, sometimes just cruising.  Then miraculously, like a curtain lifting before a theater performance, the freeway clears up with only a couple of cars dotting the horizon ahead.  Abe, Sammy, and Rowe crouch aerodynamically on their bikes and prepare to take off...70 mph...80 mph...90 mph...100 mph...the moto riders are kissing chrome, tucked in, topping maximum speed.  The horizon blurs, extreme focus on the road ahead, the wind whistles around them as they slice through the freeway...

Kissing chrome or tucking in: when a moto rider positions his upper body low over the gas tank and parallel with the handlebars, lips inches away from the chrome.  This aerodynamic crouch allows for maximum speed and less drag.

As aHbe Racer tucks in for maximum speed, they look to the horizon as they prepare for its official launch on March 5th.  Shirt samples approved and need to be ordered.  Deciding on charitable organizations.  Business plan in its final stages.  Website waiting on a programmer.  Business cards, postcards, catalogs.  Initial funding still on hold.  A whirlwind of activity, anxiety, anticipation.  As we speed up, our "ride" is purely focused on Him.  We trust He's leading us on this venture to build His kingdom.  Kissing chrome, crouched low, tucked in, no drag.  He's in control, clearing the path...at 100 miles per hour, we're on His race as the wheels are spinning...

Tumble - Part II, The Rescue

Shafter, California.  At Charlie's place.  Abe had just finished informing everyone in aHbe Racer's community group and Facebook of Rowe's tumble...

"Ouch, that stings!" Rowe moans, wincing.  Abe is tenderly cleaning her wounds, feeling a little light-headed.  As he gingerly places the bandages on her wounds, he wonders, "Hmm, we'll have to see how we're going to get back..." He shakes his head, reading Rowe's mind, and continues, "...no, you're not going to ride." Rowe sulks momentarily, then beams happily as she says, "Well, at least now I have battle wounds, my first road rashes!" Charlie chuckles as he comes into the room with lunch saying, "I checked it out and the bike's mirrors just needed to be tightened up, but the bike rides great.  You two can sleep in my bed tonight, I'll take the couch."

The next day, Kelly and Mel from aHbe Racer's community group arrive.  They had just arrived home from Fresno, but they thought nothing of driving the 3 hrs back towards Fresno to Shafter. "No problem, mi hermano," Kelly insists, "we're bringing you and Rowe home. And of course I'll ride Rowe's bike!" Mel, an EMT, insists on applying Tegaderm to Rowe's wounds before they head off, "...it's great stuff because it'll allow your scrapes to breathe while healing." With Rowe newly bandaged, the foursome heads back on the 5 freeway: Abe leading the ride, Kelly riding second, Mel following behind in the car with Rowe.  A wonderfully warm day, a perfect experience that couldn't have been better if it was planned.  Back down through the Grapevine...the foursome even stops for an impromptu photo shoot at a picturesue old gas station.  From the car, Rowe takes action shots of Abe and Kelly while they're riding...Mel and Rowe engage in deep conversation...Kelly and Abe speed ahead on the bikes...

God shows His love through His family.  When a fellow "rider" tumbles, His family works together to offer their help, each using their different gifts.  God has called us to be His hands and feet to a "fallen" world.  As He says..."Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—"

At church that evening, Rowe thanked God for His amazing family: tender love from Abe, provision from Charlie, rescue riding from Kelly, medical care from Mel, and prayers from family and friends.  The tumble itself hurt, but was so worth the love felt through His rescue team, while the wheels are spinning...

Tumble - Part I, The Spill

Bike drops, overturns....Rowe rolling on the ground...Abe couldn't believe what he was seeing in his rearview mirror.  "Oh no," he gasps, a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, "Rowe's down!"  Surreal, horrifying...he turns his bike around and heads back towards the spill...

Flashback a few hours.  Abe and Rowe are racing up the 5 Freeway, on their way to visit their brother, Charlie, in Shafter, California and check out a biker wedding.  A splendid day for a ride, twisting and turning through the Grapevine, stopping along the side of the freeway for an impromptu photo shoot.  But the two riders were on a mission.  "We gotta be there by 2pm, or we'll miss the bikes coming in!" was the thought going through their minds. 

Upon reaching the outskirts of Shafter, they ride along the countryside's backroads.  Speeding along at around 50 miles an hour, they approach some dilapidated railroad tracks.  As Abe rides over the tracks, Rowe notices that the tracks are uneven, and Abe is bouncing up off his seat.  "Oh no, I don't want to bounce that hard!" she thinks, so she suddenly squeezes her front brake.  The front tire locks up, and throws Rowe off the bike.  Her head hits the pavement and the bike tumbles twice before laying on its side...

God is so awesome.  As His Word says..."That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you're perfectly safe."  This spill could have been much worse.  Rowe's helmet visor was damaged beyond repair.  Only her chin was bruised up.  She wasn't wearing leathers, only a hoodie and jeans, but only her left elbow and knees were bleeding and scraped.  No broken bones, no head injuries.  And the bike??  Just scratches, a minor dent, and a missing rear light cover...

"Whoa", is Rowe's first thought as she awkwardly gets up after her fall, "there's a car coming...gotta save the bike!!"  In a rush of adrenaline, Abe hurriedly lifts the bike up and pushes it out of the way.  Charlie, with his truck, arrives on the scene.  Our story momentarily ends as the trio heads off towards Charlie's place: Charlie riding Rowe's bike, Rowe driving the truck, and Abe, still sick with worry over Rowe's condition, riding in the rear.  To be continued, while the wheels are spinning...

Ride together

Arising from the deep coastal fog of Orange County,  Team aHbe Racer heads inland.  The coast had been overcast and a chill still lingered in the air.  Abe leads the group formation, followed by Sammy, then Rowe.  All of a sudden, two strange bikers are riding alongside the trio.  They loom over  Rowe, riding extremely close to her.  Abe looks at his rear view mirror..."who are those creeps???"  The ominous bikers seem to be enticing Rowe to go in their direction.  As each minute passes, Abe's sense of discernment increases.  Sammy ponders, "Hmm, do these two wanna race??"  Rowe naively keeps on glancing at the new bikers, "Maybe they're just being friendly??"  The ominous bikers edge even closer to Sammy and Rowe.  "That's it," Abe decides, "those two bikers are up to no good..." He slows his bike, motioning for Sammy and Rowe to ride ahead of him.  Sammy and Rowe speed up to the front of the formation.  Abe is now riding in the rear, alongside the menacing bikers.  The bikers both look over at Abe, motion to one another, then abruptly turn right at the next corner, leaving Team aHbe Racer alone.

Riding in a group isn't always easy.  Each rider has to adjust their speed, stay in formation, and keep an eye out for one another.  But the benefits of a group ride are comradeship and protection.

Likewise, living in community for Christ has its share of hurdles.  Unexpressed emotions and miscommunication lead to bitterness.  There are forces in play that would like nothing more than to split up our group.  But being real with one another helps us to grow as a true family.  Distractions may come along during our "ride" together, enticing us to change directions or even leave the group.  But what He promises by remaining in community far outweighs the challenges.  We "ride" together so others may also want to join us on His ride, while the wheels are spinning...