[Sportsandrec] Fwd: Riding by faith, not by sight.

Thu Nov 17 15:19:26 UTC 2016

You are coming through on the list. We are a new division, organized just the beginning of October. So don't lose hope. It should pick up. Thanks for the forward. I'm a runner. But many of us are interested in exploring the idea of cycling. 

Jayne 

> On Nov 17, 2016, at 10:03 AM, Ron Burzese via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> As I forward this, said burrito is crisping in the skillet.
> 
> Since this list is quiet, I thought I’d throw this out there. If any of the bike speak is unclear, let me know. If any of you ride, I’d love your submissions for the blind, cycling list.
> 
> Best,
> 
> Ron Burzese, NOMC
> 37 degrees in Sacramento
> 
> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>> From: Ron Burzese <rrburzese at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Riding by faith, not by sight.
>> Date: November 16, 2016 at 10:16:30 PM PST
>> To: blind_cycling at yahoogroups.com
>> 
>> Taylor, one of the guys from a weekly men’s Bible study, offered to ride with me this week. I had forgotten that I even mentioned it to him. We met this morning, at 7:30. The temp was around 46f. Since he was a casual rider at best, I dressed accordingly, with jeans, t-shirt, walking shoes, and a windbreaker that I’ve had since I was 13, in Clearwater, 1981. It bears the name of my departed father’s pizza place, which has been in our family, since 1969. I chose it because it was the right weight for the conditions. Though I might not always mention it here, I always wear a helmet.
>> 
>> I brought out the urban-assault tandem, which is currently set up for my lovely girlfriend, who is 5’4”. Now Taylor, is at least 5’8, if not 5’10, or taller. I mentioned that we’d need to raise his saddle, as I held him up, from the back seat. He asked me to lower it, though my neighbor, Billy and I tried to briefly explain the mechanics of a proper pedal-stroke. He wanted no part of it, so I let him set the lower height.
>> 
>> In the second block, he moved over to the bike lane, for the west-bound traffic. We, were traveling east-bound, if you know what I’m sayin’. Hearing the parked cars, close to my left ear, then oncoming traffic, on my right, was very disconcerting to me. I even heard other cyclists passing us, on our right. Seasoned cyclist that I am, I was like, so embarrassed, and fearing for my life, as I asked Taylor to cross-over to the right side of the road. He tried to defend his logic, but I would not budge on this point. He looked back and merged right, across at least two lanes. As he began to initiate the merge, he clipped my freshly rubberized handle bar-end, on a trash canister, since it was garbage truck day. He thought the front tire was squishy, but I explained that it was simply the suspension fork, compressing beneath his weight.
>> 
>> After going east on T Street, we headed north, on 20th Street. A classy female cyclist, complimented us on the tandem, so I gave her a squeak with my kitty-cat horn, before reaching C Street, where we caught the access trail, over the river, to the American River Bike Trail, headed for William Pond Park. We settled into a nice cadence and I was happy that I picked the correct layers for the ride. There were lots of dried leaves, crunching under our wheels. Taylor is a seminary student, so was discussing theology with me. I have studied for many years, so was an appropriate sounding board for what he was wrestling with, in his spiritual journey. We were cordial the entire time, though we were discussing some of the most controversial systematic theology.
>> 
>> As we motored along, I could not help but get ahold of the beautiful, Fall day that embraced all of us, on the trail. We both agreed that every man is without excuse, as the Creation bore witness of the Creator. I also noticed that Taylor, 28, was looking back at me, as he was talking. Not quite, but he was looking off to his side, to better project his voice. Though thoughtful, I had my moments of wanting to remind him to pay more attention to his driving. However, he did a good job to do just that, every time I was about to say something. Maybe something in my facial expression tipped him off? We only went off the trail, a few times, but quickly got back on to the pavement, over the ridge. Yes, that would be the dangerous ridge that I did not yet have time to explain to this novice pilot. Thankfully, my tires were meaty enough to offer some margin for error.
>> 
>> We made it to the park and I was really missing my girlfriend, as we found a picnic table, off from the trail. We sat for an hour, discussing more of his theological issues. I did not mind, though it challenged me to recall what I have studied, both in the past and more recently, on my own personal journey with the living God. I kept up with most of the depth that he was digging, but since I had a minimal breakfast, consisting of a few handfuls of corn flakes, and another appointment for lunch, I motioned that we began our return trip.
>> 
>> Wouldn’t you know it, that crazy dude went back to his habit of riding on the wrong side of the road? He got back in line, after I reminded him. At the park, I clarified my reasoning for this, but did not mention my years of experience on the bike. I could tell that he was appreciating the opportunity to spend some quality time with another brotha, especially one who could spar with him on such a level of topic.
>> 
>> In the closing mile, he noted that it made him feel more comfortable that I was blind. He said that it helped him open up, confess and be vulnerable. From the back seat, I smiled, being thankful for being able to counsel the man in his struggle. I felt as if I was where I needed to be, at the right time. We stopped at his truck, as I collected my residential parking permit, then shared our stats from the ride of 26.5 miles. He drove off and there I was, realizing that I was around the corner from my place, without my cane, and walking an 8-foot long bike. From our three-hours of theology, I knew I was in good company and resumed enjoying the glorious weather, then in the lower mid 60s. Though I did not have much time, I was able to efficiently move out the electric tandem, bring in the urban tandem, re-park the 80-pound electric bike, and keep track of all the accessories that accompany a bike ride. After a quick shower, I walked 20 blocks to my on time, lunch appointment, with Pastor Lamar, who already ate. Happy to have the time with him, I forgot about my hunger, for the next 90 minutes. Another 20 block walk home, still not eating since 7:15, I stopped for a 2:30, California Chicken Burrito, but only ate half. Instead of eating the other half for dinner, I just had another few handfuls of corn flakes. As I write this, I must confess that I am looking forward to breakfast, already. It will be a cool morning, in the low 40s, but a hot, cast iron skillet, will make that burrito taste even better than fresh from its maker. I’ll be back on the hamster wheel, but you know, life, is all good, with me.
>> 
>> Racramento Ron
> 
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