Day 30: Drafting into Wray

The weather forecast, delivered by Katrina, our very own weather woman, said that the winds would be out of the east at 7-15 mph. We all groaned. We can deal with 90-95 degree heat; it is the wind that raises the most concern.

I thought today was going to be a really hard day-90 miles into the wind. I left at 7 am, committed to making as much progress as I could before the winds got stronger. After and hour and a half a small pace line cruised past and invited me to join them. I jumped on board and spent the rest of the day enjoying the good graces of riders who were stronger than me and willing to take the wind for the rest of us. What a gift!

The day was not hard at all. With a long break for treats we still arrived at camp by 2:30. And I wasn't nearly as drained as the day before. You have to be careful with pace lines-accidents can happen so quickly-but what a blessing when you're riding into the wind.

The one negative to the day was a fall I had as I eased onto some gravel at one of the stops. The rider in front of me went over the gravel and it looked solid, but as soon as I got onto it my tire dove down deep into the soft earth, and down I went. I survived the accident with little damage; the biggest injury was to my pride. I think that will recover.

Tonight I'm praising God for a community that eases my journey.