"Nice pull."

Today was a Thursday lunch ride.  I went east.

I have done this ride many times.  In the past, oh, five years, I routinely get shelled, and take the shortcut across the dirt.

Today was different.

As the eleven of us rolled into the San Pasqual Valley, I was in second position, coming into Ostrich Hill, where I am often squashed.  Thankfully, I was in front at the hill, so I got to set the pace.  I felt like I was dragging up the hill, but I was happy to be at the front, so that I could keep the pace manageable.  I pulled off just before the crest.  As I drifted to the back, I heard from Mr. Knickerbocker, "Nice pull."

"Nice pull."  This is a loaded term.  This can mean many things:

• I was smooth, and no one noticed any sudden accelerations or slow downs.
• I was hammering, they were barely hanging on, and they wanted to say "nice pull" as a justification as for how hard it was to hang on (I have done this many times)
• I was moving at a snail's pace, and they want to encourage me, and they had a lovely rest

I hoped it was #1, I knew it wasn't #2, and feared it was #3.

And so we continued.  I felt great.  "Amazing Grace" started running through my head.  I was not getting dropped.  And I was enjoying the ride.  Not feeling pinned at all.

I took the pull just before the turn onto Bandy.  Got back into the paceline, thinking about how this was good training for riding in a pack.  More songs.  Now inventing lyrics, like "Amazing Ride, How great the roads, this ride is really fun.  I know this ride will bring me joy, but You're the Holy One."  We start to roll up the final rollers to the climb.  I can feel that it's a little harder, and my heart rate is climbing with the roads.  I was at the front at the base of the climb, so I started climbing at a hard but doable pace.

But no one was coming around.  Weird.

Finally, the Irregular One came past, looking fairly fresh.  Plus some motorcycles.  It seemed like the same five motorcycles came past three times on Bandy Canyon.  Weird.  Anyway, I rounded the bend, and Mr. K came past.  Wait.  Whoa.  But, he should be blowing by me...maybe I am riding faster.

We get to the top, and I am third.  That's crazy.  I had a nice chat, and the other riders were very encouraging, saying how well I was riding.  I was riding well.  I've been training, so it makes sense.  And I rejoice in my strength and speed.  That said, I also know that all strength, and all weakness, is a gift from God.  I rejoice in that.

I pray that I can use this new strength to glorify Him all the more.  I look forward to seeing what He has in mind.