women on wheels

Calgary and Home !!!

diane54 — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:20:19 +0000

By Diane

Day # 7 Canmore to Calgary about 102 klms , temp back to about 29.
Let the celebration begin! Can’t even imagine what must be going on in the minds of our cyclists as they approach that finish line. I am sure there are again many mixed emotions. Also the joy of going home to their own bed and bath. But first let’s party, let the victory dances begin. Just for a moment you ladies take the stand on the podium and receive you medals. Karen, Marge and Jeannette you are all Gold Medalists in our hearts and minds. We love you and are so proud of you.

2 Timothy 4:7 (New International Version)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Father God we come to you in Jesus’ name. Again we give you all the praise and glory. Thank you for the victory. We rejoice with the Bike For Bible Team today for this great accomplishment. Refresh and encourage all the riders, organizers, and all those who made this event happen. Protect them again this day not only as the finish the ride, but also as they journey their separate ways.

May all the bibles and devotion books that go to the athletes be used to further your kingdom in the hearts and lives of many men and women. Be glorified Father in all that has and will be accomplished in your name. Amen.

It’s Good To Be Alberta Bond!

diane54 — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:18:29 +0000

Today is day 6, the trek from Invermere to Canmore. Distance 174 klms. The high temperature at Canmore today is 25, so it should be refreshing to have the temperature just a bit lower.
I can only imagine the mixed emotions of this trip. Returning to Alberta a refreshing thought, 174 klms not so refreshing. The race in the mind is more of a battle than the journey itself. This is where we have to shut off those thoughts and let the will and determination come forward. We are emotional beings and so often we let those feelings dictate to us. Instead we need are called to let faith arise and accomplish those things that WOW us.
Jesus echos this often. Especially in the book of Mark.
Chapter 9 (NIV)
23″ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Today Lord we pray that the will and determination of the riders will come forward. Let faith arise and overcome any unbelief. Equip them with everything they will need for their journey. Not only the physical needs but also soul and spiritual. Refresh and encourage them. Let them fix their eyes on the goal and carry out this days part of the journey. Thank you again for your love, protection and faithfulness.
In Jesus Name.

Next Stop Invermere!

diane54 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:34:53 +0000

Here we are ride day #5, the trek from Cranbrook to Invermere a distance of about 132 klms. Temperature around 29. Is it up hill or down? Sometimes when driving through the mountains it is hard to tell, if it wasn’t for the foot on the throttle I am sure I could be deceived. Any mountain trip I have biked on and the sign reads easy trail, I have always had the opinion there is no such thing. In my eyes every mountain trail is difficult. But what you do have on these mountain trips are friends, or a partner that continually energizes and pushes you beyond. Making the trip doable and even enjoyable. This is common knowledge in our WOW group. We are able to go the distance from the motivation and encouragement of each other.

Ecclesiastes (NIV) Chapter 4
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Is it any wonder why our God puts our family unit together as a couple then adding a strand as each child is born. He wants these units to be strengthened as they go out into our churches, clubs, communities and countries. When we are pulling together for a common purpose there is great strength.
Today Father, we want to pray for extra strength for each of the cyclists. Even through the ups and downs of the journey may they enjoy the beauty of your creation. When the discomforts seem to overwhelm may the joy and the encouragement from each other carry them through. Thank you for the strength from that three strand cord, Karen, Marge and Jeannette, making it even stronger with your presence and of course the rest of the group. Again we commit them to you and thanking you for your strength. For Father when we are weak you are strong. In Jesus Name.

From Creston To Cranbrook

diane54 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:37:14 +0000

Day #4
106 klms. from Creston to Cranbrook. High 27
Hump day as some would call it, after this it’s over the half way mark. I am sure this day needs a little more encouragement and a whole lot more of love.
Philippians 4:13B and 14 (NIV)
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Lord today I pray for the team perseverance, encouragement and determination.
Let them fix their eyes on the goal. Where there is doubt sow confidence, where discouragement sow encouragement, where doubt sow faith and where there is dissension sow love. Remind them of your great love for them. Encourage them with the love of family and friends that are with them in spirit. Refresh them as only you can. May the peace of God flood their hearts, soul and minds. We thank you again Father for your faithfulness. For your protection and for being with all the riders as they ride on.
In Jesus Name.

On TO Creston!

diane54 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:20:29 +0000

By Diane
Day # 3 Leaving Balfour heading to Creston a distance of about 92.6 klms. High temperature around 29 with the risk of thunderstorms.
Yesterdays local ride consisted of: Eleanor,Lois, Dagmar and me. Doing the Alberta Beach Ride, about 112 klms. in 29 degree temps. I found it very tuff to finish, the heat really exhausting. Eleanor was on her second day of it as she had completed Tour del Alberta the day before. It was very good and we continually turned our hearts and thoughts to Karen, Marge and Jeannette, wondering how do you do this for seven days straight? We all like biking but we know how they have a passion for biking. Caused me to think about Psalm 37(NIV)

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

God is a God of hearts. When raising our two sons, we tried to teach them to go with their hearts in making their decisions. It is difficult in a society that uses statistics, money and security to motivate and direct our steps. After all God is our creator who designed us. He knows the beginning and the end, yet it is so hard to let him direct those steps.
As I look at the passion for biking in the heart of these three women and the strength they draw from each other, you can’t help to see this God given desire and fulfillment. His plan is definitely unfolding this week as these bikers trek these miles to put the gospel message in the hands of the 2010 Olympic athletes.
What can I pray but Father your will be done.
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

Day #2, ON To Balfour

diane54 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:43:07 +0000

By Diane

Leaving Naksup heading to Balfour, about 131 KLMS. Highs 28-29 mostly cloudy. There you go Marge that should keep it a little cooler.

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

One of my favorite verses, I hold this one before the Lord lots and he never ceases to amaze. In the club we often see how we can WOW each other, many times surpassing goals and distances. God has made mankind not only unique but amazing. If we set our minds to it with a little bit of determination and a whole lot of training we are able to things beyond our dreams.
Today Lord we thank you again for your protection and hand upon the riders. We continue to ask you for strength, health and determination for each one. Continue to go before them and equip them for each need that may arise. We ask for clear thinking and wisdom for them in every situation that may arise, because Lord they are over comers. May they encourage and build up each other to new horizons and surpassing their own expectations. Into your hand we commit them Lord.
In Jesus name.

The Ride

diane54 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:45:35 +0000

By Diane
IT’S HERE! The first day of “The Ride”. They are pumped, ready to go. Today is day #1, from Revelstoke to Nakusp, about 105 klms. Temperature about the same as here, rising to about 29 for a high at Nakusp. Clouds rolling in with possible showers this afternoon.
Can you imagine the excitement in the air as the riders prepare to mount. The adrenaline flowing, the heart racing and the anticipation as they make those last minute checks to the bicycle. We have all been there in some fashion. This is it, “The Ride”! It’s foot to the pedal and ride on. Those weeks of 300 kilometers of getting ready are now behind them, and they are on the trek. (right Karen?)

Psalm 121 (The Message)

A Pilgrim Song

1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.

Thank you God, that your angels are round about these riders. Protecting them as they go and each step of the day. I ask for their safety, your favor and honor on them as they share the road today. Remind them of safety and caution. May their bikes perform well without mechanical difficulties. Thank you that you go before them preparing the way. When there heads lie down to sleep that their sleep will be sweet and they wake up refreshed, ready for a new day with you.
In Jesus Name.

What Can I Say But WOW !

diane54 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:14:55 +0000

by Diane

Once again it is another beautiful biking season. The last two local rides were perfect: sunshine, wind on our back (at least part time), and friendships. On Monday we covered 110 KLMS, starting at Meadowview, then off to Gunn, Alberta Beach, lunch at Darwell and return to Meadowview. It was GREAT. Lots of stories from the Kelowna trip, holidays and of course, up coming rides. Never enough time to cover it all.
I am so proud to be part of W.O.W! It’s not only the accomplishments, the achievements, the sights, the smells but the lasting friendships. How as a group we come together for exercise, fitness and in my case to be challenged, but it reaches far beyond that. May I never get so goal focused that I forget to look at all the other gifts of belonging to WOW or the beauty of the trip that I’m on.

My hats off to Eleanor and Dagmar who did the two day Rona MS Ride. This week JoAnn and Eleanor are off to Tour del Alberta, clocking up the kilometers. Then this morning at 4:00 am, Karen, Marge and Jeannette are off to Calgary to do the nearly 1000 klm trek for Bike For Bibles. I am so inspired by you all, encouraged and motivated, so glad to be a part of WOW.
Karen, Marge & Jeannette have asked for prayer and that is one thing that is easy for me to do. I am attempting to put a little prayer blurt up each day of their trip just as a reminder for us and to keep us connected.
Today is the day the girls are traveling to Calgary to meet the group. I believe there are about 30 cyclist. I pray for safety, strength, and encouragement as they travel there then on to Revelstoke. I pray for the new relationships that will be made as this group journeys together, because Lord that is important to you. That they will sharpen and encourage, build up and not tear down, adding quality to each other. Committing them all to you Lord for your plans and purposes. Jeremiah 29 :11 For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

Lac La Nonne Hill Trip

diane54 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:22:19 +0000

diane54 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:13:03 +0000

http://www.trailguru.com/ui/embed/embedTrack.php?thid=348284&width=468&height=400” scrolling=”no” height=”400″ width=”468″ frameborder=”0″>
http://www.trailguru.com/wiki/index.php/Track:7GQK”>WOW. Mixed Thurs Night Lac La Nonne Hill Trip (Road Biking)