As hints of summer begin to emerge in the Emirates, I find myself in awe of cyclists out for the long ride. The challenge with distance, wind, and blowing sands is hard to imagine. In addition, there is the 35 Celsius (95F) heat and humidity, an early taste of summer. The summer return to temps around 45 degrees (110F) will be sooner than one is willing to accept.
One gets a hint of the way heat drains you on a motorcycle. It is clearly easier for two major reasons. First, on a bicycle the energy and resulting speed comes from within. When I am out on K13, I am thankful for the engineering and thought which comes from BMW and results in 150 plus horsepower at my disposal. Second, the amount of breeze and impact on one is dramatically different. On a bicycle it can work for and against you in equal measure. On a motorcycle, the dominant outcome of the wind is cooling and drying.
What the casual observer misses with each is the commitment required. To be a safe rider on a motorcycle requires a level of commitment. With a bicycle, the commitment, especially physical, is dramatically higher. The question of how much one wants to continue increases with each marker on the road. With the memories of marathons and other long distance running events lingering, I am in awe of the bicycle riders I see out on the roads.
A psalmist documented the commitment of one in that day; “I’m not going home, and I’m not going to bed.” (Psalm 132.3) I hear an all-in commitment. In my mind I see someone cycling in the heat and humidity, pushing ahead with the senses on overload from the ever-present sand externally combined the soul’s questions within.
How strong is my commitment to living out my values? I want to have the confidence and commitment of the cyclist out on the Emirati backroads. Being all-in is an opportunity to live life at its fullest. The only way to know is comes in pushing the limits.
