International Christian Cycling Club

Horse Country Time Trials return for 2008

By Dan Apgar, IC3 North Texas

The first Mississippi Silent Ride for Jesus happened on a beautiful sunny day on the Barnett Reservoir near Jackson. We had a good turnout (26 riders), and all had a moving and meaningful worship experience. I was a little surprised at my own reaction. I usually ride alone, and most of the time I'm silent and often meditating or praying. However, there was something very different about riding in a group that was consciously quiet and knowing that we were all thinking about Jesus. As we rode across the causeway, I kept singing hymns in my mind, especially "For the Beauty of the Earth" and its refrain "Lord of all to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise." I really appreciated the opportunity to ride with a group of believers who share a love for the Lord.

- Conrad Smith
Biking 4 Jesus
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Welcome to the New Year, 2008. This is an exciting time for us as cyclist. Many of us are planning out our year, plotting training workouts, finalizing race plans and best of all, getting new gear.

Once I set my goals, I start identifying steps I need to take to reach my goals. If you have ever done this before, you know what is next; we have to identify “Limiters”. Those things that will prevent us from reaching our goals, we must design ways to overcome these “Limiters”. One of my major limiters is “Power”. Through the years, I have lost muscle mass and gained body weight. So I have design a training schedule that will help me gain more muscle and loose weight. This will help me improve my power so the rest of the team will not have to wait at the top of every hill for me this summer.

Now on January 1st, several members of our church sponsored an out reach event at a local apartment complex. I was asked to give a devotion between the praise band’s sets. I got with one of our youth sponsors and we came up with a short skit focusing on the differences between New Year’s Resolutions and the renewing power of Christ. The characters, in the skit, come to the conclusion that it is God’s Grace and Forgiveness that allows us to grow and develop. Without this Grace, we would have no hope. Without hope, there is no growth or change. One of the skit’s characters even says “Once you feel God’s forgiveness then you tap into the real Power”. 

All of the guilt, anger and unresolved emotions we carry around with us, weigh us down like a cheep pair of steel clinchers wheels. It doesn’t matter what you want to call it, “junk”, “issues” or “luggage”, all it does is weigh us down and help separate from our loving Savior. It is a “limiter” in our Spiritual development.

Sisters and Brothers, as you map out your training plan for the year, set goals and schedule races; make room for some real power training. Start working on your forgiveness. Don’t let the sun set on your anger, find room to forgive that individual who hurt you. Forgive yourself! Think about all God did so we could be forgiven and then share that Grace to those around you! Spend time reading about Jesus and the woman at the well or when Jesus’ Disciples asked how many times to forgive an individual. This is real power training! This will change your life.

As a follower of Christ, we are commanded to act as He did, this means to forgive others and our selves as freely as he forgave.

May you receive the Love, Grace and Peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

James Sells

Indiana Spoke

2007 Christmas Message

As I was sitting in my garage this weekend preparing my rain bike for Monday’s commute I contemplated what if I did not maintain my winter bike?  Basically if I did not look at it daily by recharging my light system, checking my tire pressure, checking my chain for rust, check for tire damage, spoke damage, fenders, etc.  If I did not do these things daily then my bike would slowly fall apart, rust and become useless for transportation.

This reminded me of my own daily walk with the Lord that if I don’t stay in His word and fellowship with Him all day long, that I begin to fall apart and rust.

During this busy Christmas season we all get distracted, and it seems like there is never enough hours or sunlight in the day.  During these current times the trend and message is not to offend anyone by mentioning Jesus by name or wishing someone Merry Christmas or by playing the wrong Christmas songs because you may offend someone.

Proclaim Jesus Christ as your Savior and King.  “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:6  “Do not fear those who kill the body but can not kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul & body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28

As we remember why we celebrate Christmas; “For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11  So when your human resource manager says to you, you can’t say Merry Christmas or play Christmas songs remember “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, stand firm.” 2 Samuel 22:2   Knowing we are but pilgrims on this earth and that our home is in Heaven for all eternity.

I want to thank you all for your prayers and support this last year.  I look forward to 2008 and the swift return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  May you and your families have a joyous and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mike Leaman

Seattle Spoke Director

www.christiancycling.com

The Inland Empire spoke will begin monthly group rides on the 2nd Saturday of the month.  Locations will vary to keep things interesting.  We rode in Joshua Tree National Park in November.  That was a beautiful day, if you couldn't make it, you missed out.  In December we have a rivertrail beach trip planned.  Routes will vary from 33 miles to 150 miles depending on where you choose to join in. 

 The ride will start at 5:30am on December 8th at Waterman ave and the rivertrail crossing in San Bernardino.  We will pick up riders in Riverside and in Corona.  We plan on leaving the Greenriver Trail head at 8:00 am with the final group to head to the beach.  33 miles later we will be in Huntington Beach, have lunch, and start back.

Please contact me early if you can drive as a shuttle or plan on only riding one way.  I want people to have as many options as possible.  This is a self supported ride and all riders are responsible for themselves, but if we know what resources we have, maybe we can help! 

RSVP to Phillip@AndrewPhillips.us so I know to expect you and leave a cell phone number for that morning.

 January will be the 4th Annual Winter Stagecoach Century Saturday, Jan 12, 2008
Ocotillo - Shelter Valley - Ocotillo  Rides vary in length from 25-100 miles.  We should see the San Diego Chapter in this ride.  February is the Palm Springs Century, another great ride with distances from 25-100 miles.

I hope to meet up with you in December.

 God Bless

 Phillip naman

The Coppermine Loop

Saturday, 9:00 A.M.

Come join IC3Georgia for 54 or 69 miles of gorgeous, very low traffic country roads west of Atlanta. The terrain is mostly rolling with just one tough climb early in the route and one very fun descent. Store Stop at mile 28.

My group will average between 16 and 17 and will regroup after the first climb. We might have a faster group show that will just regroup at the rest stop. Both routes are marked and maps are provided.

Ride starts at the Rockmart Square. Lunch at Frankies after the ride.

Expect a 45 minute drive from Marietta Square and about an hour from 285 and midtown.

If the weather is questionable, check the latest posts on www.atlbike.org for last minute updates.

Any cancellations will be posted by 7:00 A.M.

Any questions please feel free to contact me.

Mark Oestreich

mtoestreich@comcast.net

678-570-2271

Directions to start

From Marietta:    Take Whitlock Ave./120 to hwy 278 (14 Miles) Turn right onto 278 and go 15 miles to Coots Lake Rd. Turn left and go about 3.5 miles and turn left onto  Elm St, go .6 miles to Marble St and turn left. (silver Comet trail sign) Take your first right and you will See old Rockmart Square.  Park on the square.

From 285 North:   Leave 285 at Exit 16, S. Atlanta rd, and head north. Go .5 miles and turn left onto the East West Connector. Go 9 miles to and turn left onto Powder Springs Rd.  Go 4.1 miles and turn right onto Hwy 278. Go 21 miles to Coot Lake Rd Turn left and go about 3.5 miles and turn left onto  Elm St, go .6 miles to Marble St and turn left. (silver Comet trail sign) Take your first right and you will See old Rockmart Square.  Park on the square.

From Atlanta:        Take I20 West to Thorton Rd/278 exit. Turn right (North) and go 29.5 miles to Coots Lake Rd, Turn left and go about 3.5 miles and turn left onto  Elm St, go .6 miles to Marble St and turn left. (silver Comet trail sign) Take your first right and you will See old Rockmart Square.  Park on the square.