Hello all,

The Central PA chapter of the Christian Sport Bike Association had a ride on August 26th and September 9th, our August and September rides. We rode the same route because the roads were awesome and we wanted to refine the route to get it perfect. What also happened was that with the exception of me, I had different riders on the different months. Since that happened I shared the same Scripture. So, here I will tell you about the August ride, then the September ride, and then share the Scripture. The few meager pictures I will put in a post following this one.

The morning started in overcast for a summer day in August. I was running kind of late, so halfway through my route to the diner I jumped on the highway to make better time. I got fuel on the way out, so I went to the diner to get some breakfast. My wingman, andyr, joined me shortly and we got caught up on life. After a delicious breakfast we waited a bit to see if any others would show (nope) and then reviewed the route and rode on. Most of the morning's routes were only okay with a couple of bright spots, so over a lunch of pizza we decided we might change things. After lunch the roads were much better and we even encountered a bridge that was closed for repair. I got out a map and found a way around it. On one of the last roads of the route we were behind a pick-up truck and open trailer hauling landscape equipment. We were doing around the speed limit as we were going down the road. The driver then slowed and pulled over. I thought he was pulling over to stop or have us go by, so I signaled, went into the opposing lane and was going to pass him since it was a straight section of clear road. What he did do was after slowing on the shoulder he jerked the wheel of his truck and went across both lanes of traffic blocking them.(He was going to back into a driveway) I now had no where to go but the shoulder and into a lawn of grass. I was able to stop safely with andyr behind me. We then got back on the road and finished the ride without incident. It would have been nice if the driver would have signaled in some way that he was about to perform that maneuver but we can't always depend of the next person to do the right thing. If you see a driver pull off the shoulder, ensure they stop before you pass. I learned my lesson on this ride. I only took one picture for this ride and that was where we went out of our way for a bathroom and fuel stop. It had gotten warm that day, but not too bad for an August afternoon.

The ride in September was only two weeks apart but different in a few ways. I left on time, so I wasn't late getting to the diner. The morning was dark for the first half hour or so, but the skies brightened in no time to reveal a lovely day. The temperatures were cooler but not cold. Andyr couldn't make it due to mechanical issues with his bike. I was instead joined by Jared and John, both riding liter bikes of different brands. We had a delicious breakfast, discussed the route and then started the revised route. We had a really good ride, but noticed one of the bridges for one of the road would soon be closed. We got to lunch late in the day, but we had some good pizza and fun conversation. We got about 50 miles down the road when one of the riders overshot a turn and ran into a dirt bank. His machine took some damage but we were able to bungee cord it together for the most part. The biggest problem was that he broke off his clutch lever and it was a Saturday afternoon. We didn't have a chance to find a dealer that was open, so we decided to try to ride it home without the clutch. After two or three pushes we got it to kick start and then slide it into neutral. We then geared up, gave him a push to get rolling, he kicked into first gear and we headed down the road. To upshift I told him to accelerate just a little bit and then leave off, upshifting at the same time there was slack in the drivetrain. Down shifting was done the same way but you accelerated gently when the bike was low in the RPM. With me leading, the broken bike in the center, and the other riding in the back we got past the lunch stop and up to US 30 where we stopped at a bank to figure out our next step. Once getting the bike kick started again, we headed east in our same formation and got on the turnpike. Getting a ticket and then paying took some coordination and some pushing, but we got it done. The rider arrived safe at his house surprised that we rode it all the way home without a clutch lever, but we did.

The Scripture that I shared for both rides was from Proverbs 4:1-9 which says: 4 
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
Here we see the main reason why Proverbs was written, to give a young person wisdom and understanding. This passage is a part of Scripture series I have been doing on the attributes of a godly person. Today's first attribute was from verse one, being attentive or responsive. The Scripture verse admonishes us to "pay attention and gain understanding". In life we can sometimes travel on "cruise control" and be caught in our ruts of life. There is nothing wrong with having routines in life, but we need to always be attentive to see what is going on in our life so we can learn and if possible, take action to do something positive in it. There will be times in your life that God may be trying to direct you, but if you don't pay attention, you may miss it. The second attribute I wanted to discuss was sacrifice which we see in verse seven. Get wisdom and understanding, though it costs you all that you have. Powerful words to live by and learn from, if we heed them. Sacrifice can be painful and difficult, however you can't get a reward without an investment and some risk. This passage extolls the value of wisdom and how it is worth more than many things. Wisdom comes first from God and also others, but get it. In Proverbs chapter one it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Start there, praying with respect to God, reading His word with reverence in your heart and waiting upon His direction in your life. If you do not have a personal relationship with God please talk to me or another CSBA member to find out how. It will be the best decision you will ever make, I promise you! Our next ride will be on October 21st which will probably be our last ride for the season depending on the weather. Be safe out there.

My one picture from the first ride, stopping for fuel and the bathroom at the end of the ride

This was the 2nd ride with two pictures of some sweet corners and one of us at lunch

Pics that didn't get on the previous post, DOH!

That is some nice looking pavement in those pictures. Always an adventure on your rides.
I fixed your pictures. Once you upload a picture, there will be a text link next to it that says "insert". Click on "insert" to have the photos inserted as now shown in your posts above. If you don't do that part, they show up as an attachment that has to be clicked on to see the photos.

Okay, thanks so much!