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...

Pothole

Sun setting.  Brisk air.  Winter ride.  The moto riders are speeding east on the 10 freeway, rushing home before the chill sets in.  The day had been good.  On a mission to get the clothing line launched, aHbe Racer had met with the buyers of two moto apparel stores.  Their spirits were high, the riders were stoked.  Thus, when a huge pothole arose on their path in the carpool lane, they were momentarily thrown off guard.

Later, when the riders arrived home, they hopped off their bikes, eager to recount their pothole encounter.  "That dang pothole came out of nowhere!  I felt like I'd been punched in the gut!" Abe exclaimed.  Rowe piped in, "I didn't even see the pothole.  Before I knew it, I was in the air - did you see it?!?"  Sammy, who had been riding in the rear, laughed, "Yeah, when I saw Abe bouncing and Rowe up out of her seat, I swerved my bike and avoided that pothole!" 

Moto riders can be on the exact same ride, come across the same obstacle, but have different reactions.  After a run, we enjoy sharing our experiences, partly for amusement but also to improve our motorcycling skills.

Within our community group, we come across many "potholes" on our daily "ride".  The obstacle may temporarily weaken us.  We may be caught off guard and we stumble.  Now and then, we are able to avoid the "pothole" altogether.  As a group, we are dedicated to finding His lost "riders".  We can't allow barriers to permanently hinder our mission.  Confessing our weaknesses gives us the ability to encourage one another.  Strengthened, we continue on the ride, despite the potholes, while the wheels are spinning...

Caged

A luxury car dealership.  An elated driver sits behind the steering wheel of a brand new sportscar.  He had dreamed of this moment...it was the car he always wanted.  He imagined speeding down the freeway, pushing the threshold of the car's speedometer.  The car salesman is happily waving goodbye to him as the driver peels out of the dealership.  "Sucka, " the driver muses, "he only wishes for a car like this."  The driver gets on the 10 freeway, accelerating to 60 miles per hour in less than 6 seconds.  He speeds down the freeway for about two miles.  Then, it happens, the inevitable...LA rush hour traffic.  The driver squeals to a stop.  "Really?!?" the driver bellows.  He can't move an inch.  The traffic is at an absolute standstill.  The driver sits...waits, growing irritable alongside his fellow cagers.  He tries to find something good to listen to on his new satellite radio.  He flips through the new-car manual, opens up every compartment in his prized car.  Try as he might, he can't escape the clutches of his surroundings.  He peers his head out the window to see how far this LA gridlock goes.  Miles upon miles of stopped cars...he is caged in. 

Team aHbe Racer glides by on their motorcycles, splitting lanes.  They pass the brand new sports car.  The driver notices they aren't going too fast, but at least they're moving.  The moto riders are focused, each one following closely behind the other, weaving between the idle cars on the freeway.  Our scene fast fowards fifteen mintues.  The moto riders are now traveling at 80 miles per hour, far past the traffic, headed towards Hollywood.  Where is our cager?  Still inching along the same freeway, at about 5 miles per hour, in his brand new sportscar...

A cage is the moto-term given to a car because it is enclosed, separated, isolated.  Sin entices with grand dreams, the fast life, no one to follow.  But before you know it, you're stuck on the "freeway" headed nowhere.  Being a moto rider is dangerous: you are exposed to the elements, you can get injured, you may even die.  Such are the same costs of following Christ.  He says, "Count the cost...", but it is so worth the risk because, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  Follow Him on His freeway while the wheels are spinning...

Shift to neutral

The moto riders had been riding for over an hour now...a beautiful journey through Southern California's countryside.  Twisting and turning through the backroads on Highways 76, 79, then 78 on the way to Julian, California.  Passing deciduous trees and apple orchards, an aromatic scent lingered in the air.  Abe, Rowe, and Sammy felt they could ride all day, non-stop.  On approaching a 4-way traffic intersection near Julian, the bikes slow down, then stop.  The light had just changed to red.  With their engines idling, the riders shift to neutral, let go of their handlebars and stretch.  Just a few moments pass as the light goes through its cycle.  Before long, the light turns green.  Rejuvenated, the riders shift back to first gear, and continue their journey to Julian, in search of apple pie.

Within aHbe Racer's community at Sandals Church, we wondered why we felt drained at times during the day.  Individually, we all spent time with Him, but these moments were sporadic, and only when it was convenient.  Knowing that He's called us to "shift to neutral" within our day, we've recently started the practice of fixed hour prayer.  Every day, at noon, wherever we are, we all stop what we're doing to spend a few moments with our Father.  In this time, we hear from Him, we talk to Him, we simply bask in His love.  The "stop" is brief, but He revives our "engines" so the wheels keep on spinning...