This morning I started the day by getting up a few minutes late. I rarely sleep past 7:30 without an alarm, but today I managed to stay in bed till my wife kicked me and told me it was 8:00. Even though it is Saturday, I had a busy morning planned. After a quick shower I headed out the door to distribute church tracts at my neighbors’ houses. Then back home for a quick breakfast.
I have a sign language class on Saturday morning that I attend. That is about a 4 mile bike ride from home. Going to class was the end of my “normal” Saturday.
Today the men at church had a picnic planned at one of the member’s house. We do this once a month or so, but this was the first time that it was complicated by me having to go to class before the picnic. Because of class I would miss the bus which took everyone else to the picnic. I decided that I would ride my bike several miles away from town into the country to the picnic area. It was about a 10 mile bike ride from my class to where the men were. Most of the ride was in pretty heavy traffic, which is what I am used to.
We had a good time at the picnic. As typical, the vast majority of the men played soccer for a few hours and shoved food in their mouths when not playing. Someone brought a football (a real one) and we tossed it around a bit. One of the men talked about how football was a sissy sport. Another missionary commenced to taking on anyone who dared to try to tackle him American Football style. No one came close to getting him on the ground, though they all regretted trying.
My bike trip home was much shorter since I could go the back roads to get to my house. However, I didn’t know how primitive these roads would be. The man who lived out there told me that a bike should be able to ride on the road pretty well, but a car shouldn’t try that route.
In the end, almost 5 of the 7 miles were dirt roads. Four of those miles had more horse tracks than car tracks. The road was so little traveled that there was grass growing in the ruts. If I could ride my bike across the country on such quiet peaceful roads, I would give up my car and live with just a bike. Oh, wait. I already have.