Sat, Sep 14 2019 - Banded and Outlaw Peak & Mountain Bike (View Original Event Details)
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"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others." South African Proverb.
I awoke this morning reading 1 Kings 18. Context, Israel had gone through a 'dessert experience... no rain' but years later ... an answer was on its way. This verse struck me: “A cloud as SMALL as a man’s HAND is coming up from the sea.” And Elijah said, “Go up..."
Adversity, problems, challenges, suffering ... that's our path... and in time, sometimes a long time, "God does answer" ... "a cloud as SMALL as a man's hand is coming" ... it is off in the distance, but you can see it coming.
This COC Trip was much like that 'cloud as small as a man's hand is coming'. Nash, Tor and Jeff had done the trip weeks earlier only to experience: wrong track, bushwacking, a lost phone, forgotten backpack, faulty gears, injury and fatigue. Nash was unable to make the summit that weekend out of sheer exhaustion but vowed to return... and return quickly he did :).
This trip had its own 'first world' casualties ...
Lorrie had tuned up her bike days before and on "the path" her chain broke. Chris our expert mountain bike and mechanic, swooped in to save the day. Likewise, Gail had her bike tuned up the day before and her bike gears would independently shift on her but she would forbear this frustrating challenge.
Lastly, in Marvella's toughness, she would offer words one could only muster, "What the @*!#!"
Strong winds, rain, and everything in between, yet in concert with our adversities and patience ... Nash and the Team summited Banded Peak.
"... if you want to go far, go with others."
In the narrative of each of our lives, there's an answer coming in the distance, 'a cloud as small as a man's hand'. Keep praying. Be patient and persevere together.
Thanks for making this a special 12 hour 42. 6km day of adventure.
NOTES:"Ford Creek" with your bikes here: N50° 42.635' W114° 52.024' Bridge TBD. You will eventually cross over another bridge back onto the main banded peak trail.
PARK / LOCK BIKES here: N50° 41.751' W114° 54.523' which is also the 'flagged'
trail head to begin climbing banded peak.