Distance: 60 miles- flatter ride with some rolling hills and one good climb.
Weather: It didn't rain on us! Great answer to prayer as storms were in the forecast. Cloud coverage in the morning with wind so it was cooler and not too hot. Sun came out in the afternoon. Rain this evening.
Most Scenic: 14 miles along Scenic Lake
Favorite Part: 20 miles of countryside before lunch
Least favorite part: last 20 miles of the ride b/c it was flat and windy
After a lovely breakfast out on the patio overlooking Seneca Lake, we got our bikes ready to head out. There were chances of rain and thunderstorms today. Thankfully I had a good night's sleep and was ready for another day on the bike. The first 14 miles was an easy start. It was flatter and we had a great tailwind to give us an extra push. Very scenic as we were riding along Seneca Lake.
Today was the first day I rode the entire ride on my own. I followed the cue sheet and did not get lost. very proud of myself.
After mile 20 we turned onto a good hill and then rode alongside more beautiful farmland and countryside until lunch at mile 40. Once again the roads were quiet. I enjoyed waving to a few Amish kids and a couple of farmers on tractors.
While I was riding this morning I was trying to recall different parts of scripture. I have memorized numerous bible verses over the years but unfortunately I'm not great at reciting them. It was neat though as God brought to mind different phrases and parts of many different verses. I started singing "better is one day" by Matt Redman. I love this song as it's based on Psalm 84. "better is one day in your house than a thousand elsewhere."
I had a lot of time with God today on the bike. 60 miles. This morning God woke me up early so I took my bible and journal and sat outside. very peaceful spot overlooking Seneca lake. Good quiet time with Him. Simply asked Him to speak to my heart today and that I would be open to hear from Him.
During miles 20-40 when I was in the midst of farms and NY countryside, the song lyrics "I am loved by God, I will stop trying to control it" kept going through my head. I started to say it out loud. I probably repeated the truth "I am loved by God" a hundred different times. May that truth go deeper and deeper into my heart. That changes everything. I then said out loud all the times I do not feel loved by God, followed by the truth I am loved by God. ie "I am loved by God. I let others down. I am loved by God. I am critical of myself. I am loved by God. I have sinned. I am loved by God." And the list went on. It was so powerful to state I am loved by God again and again. It does not matter how I feel or what I have done. NONE of that changes that I am loved by God. I AM LOVED BY GOD. That truth, when I choose to believe it and live in it, changes everything.
I was one of the first ones to arrive at Canandaigua Lake. There was a great downhill going down to Canandiagua Lake. That's my favorite way to first catch a glimpse of a finger lake.
I leaned my bike against a tree, took off my cycling shoes, and sat on the rocks right on the lake shore. perfect summer day. there were sailboats, wind surfers, and people out on the water. Just enjoyed some sweet time in God's presence. Grabbed a sandwich to take back to the rocks. Outdoor picnic with my Beloved King. After lunch I had some awesome gelato at a nearby little restaurant. I rode my bike down to the pier before leaving Canandaigua Lake to take pictures. Hard to leave the beauty of the water.
The next 20 miles were not my favorite. It was very flat, there was a headwind, it wasn't too scenic, and I was riding by myself. I felt like I was slowly plugging away. Finally there was a hill. I let out a "yay". however as I started to climb it I realize something was off... Later I found out that I had a broken cable which was the reason I couldn't shift gears. So while I did not enjoy the lack of hills, it actually turned out to be a good thing.
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