CMA Notes
Hope everybody has been able to take advantage of the wonderful ride weather we’ve been having. It seems like none of the weather patterns – hot, cold, dry or rainy – have lasted long enough to get tired of them or to ruin many events. We’ve been able to get to the Moto-Guzzi Rally just across the Mississippi, the Hog Wild Rodeo at the Circle of Pride grounds near Conesville, the Vintage Rally at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, and the 25th Annual Bike Blessing in Fulton, Illinois. All were well attended, enjoyable events where we re-connected with old friends and made some new friends, as well.
trike. Pretty much everything I do well now is the result of the basics I learned during that year. One statistic from the books that I’ve never forgotten is that a rider is the most at risk for accidents when he is in his 3rd or 4th year of riding because he thinks he’s experienced enough to bend the rules and let down his guard. Problem is the laws of physics never change, even if a rider’s respect for them lessens. Loose gravel may still dump a bike. Too little rubber on the pavement during a fast curve will still break loose. Braking when leaned over will drop the bike.
It’s pretty much the same with our lives. When I acknowledged years ago that doing things my own way wasn’t working and I accepted that I needed the help of Jesus Christ to bring me into right relationship with God, I was learning a truth that will never change. When I hung out with a group I really like riding my own bike to these events and am thankful for all the of Christians that had been walking the time and preparation that Mark put into walk about 10 years longer than me, I had the opportunity to see how they making sure I’d be safe on the road. He knew that I’d always wanted to ride responded to life’s challenges and setmy own bike, so after a couple years of backs and tried to learn to do the same. They read books about the Christian life riding two-up, he started pointing out things that change the bike’s grip on the and discussed them as a group. They pavement - wet leaves, freshly mowed sacrificed time and money to help those grass, painted turn arrows, gravel - and who were less fortunate than them. Most of the really important principles the challenges of slow-moving farm equipment, loose dogs, and inattentive that will never change I learned back drivers. That winter he began bringing then: The Lord God loves and forgives us and expects us to do the same for books home by the Motorcycle Safety others.(Col 3:13) Jesus promises to Foundation that we’d read and then stick with us closer than any brother. we’d discuss the riding principles and wrecks he’d seen when people ignored (Prov. 18:24) Do good for those who them. Finally, he signed me up for the are in need. (Matt. 25:35-40) ‘Fess up to the Lord and your fellow man when riding class at the community college. you’ve done wrong and ask the Lord It was a great learning experience and Jesus to help you be a better man. (1 I walked away with my license, but John 1:9) spent the last few weeks of the fall practicing a lot of slow starts, stops, and turns in empty parking lots. When And finally, when you think you have life under control, look out, because the next ride season arrived, I had the privilege of spending the entire summer something’s getting ready to break loose and you’ll be reminded once riding behind Mark and three other experienced guys who were such good again that you need the Lord! (1 Cor. 10:12-13) sports to let me tag along! Besides everything else, I learned to match Blessing to you all – Karla my speed to the speed of the group I was riding with, to watch the more Mark and Karla Cornick are Area experienced rider in the lane ahead of me so I could react to road hazards the Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA way he did, to politely wait my turn to back into a parking space, and to wave and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa. org. to everyone on any kind of bike or 18 - TRMI JULY 2012
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