SoCal Christian Cycling

We got up this morning and it was pouring rain. This made the red dirt covered roads very slick. Is this what we were going to be racing on???? Not to worry. By the time we started around 11:00 it was dry.
The plan today was that Gary and I were going to break away causing a chase which would tire out the competition. Then the ICCC team could bring it home. I was the favored to win because of the arrow bars on my bike, until they learned my age. (54). Well within 5 or so miles out of town we knew we were in big trouble. We could not even get to the front of the peloton much less break away. At about the forth hill I looked at Gary and said “Were gonna die”. He just replied “Yep”. Ten minutes later Gary broke his shoe on one of the many SILENT POLICE. (These are a series of four bumps across the road to slow traffic down thru the many villages. You can’t jump them as they are high and wide. So you and the bike take a beating. You just hope nothing breaks.)
Now I am the only Muzungue (white man) in the race, and I soon find myself alone in the middle of Uganda as the rest of the riders quickly pull away. As I ride through the country, the people line the street in the villages and kids come running from their huts to watch. They point and yell “muzunga muzunga”. As I wave and give them a thumbs up they would cheer, clap, and yell. You would think I was at the front of the race instead of in the back by myself. I finally finish the 96 mile race in 4 hours and 51 minutes. A 19.9 mile an hour average. Out of 32 riders, 17 of us finished. Some broke, some tired out, and some were disqualified. The rider in first did the race in 3 hours and 52 minutes, almost one hour ahead of me!! And this is after riding 100 or so miles in the first stage the day before. WOW!!! Let’s get these guys in a tour!!! They can really ride. Now they all want to know how they compare to the riders in America. I think they do very well and tell them so which brings big smiles to their faces. An hour or so later and it was pouring rain again.
We spend the night here in Mbale. They check my room, the barred window, and the locks on the door and decide that I am safe. Around 10:30 that night Pastor David brings me some bottled water. When I get up in the morning I find that I never relocked my door after he left. They are very worried and ask “Is everything OK? Was I missing anything?” After a few close calls, getting run off the road once, and sleeping in an unlocked room I know God has his arms of protection around us.