As if the very tough, muddy course at Big Bear wasn’t enough of a challenge I though I would get in a 35 mile recovery ride yesterday in 100 degree heat and about 90% humidity. I lost about 5 pounds on that ride but I am sorry to say that it was water loss instead of the fat that I need to lose.

After the effort I put in at Big Bear my legs needed a nice easy ride to work out the lactic acid and loosen up a little bit.

Here’s my latest cycling team for 24 hours at Big Bear.  I’m the 2nd from the left.

I was looking at internet news this morning and came across an article about the Olympic torch relay through San Francisco and the protests involved with the relay. I support those that are protesting in a non violent way. As a follower of Christ I believe there are many human rights violations in China concerning Tibet as well as their treatment of some of their own citizens. I do not support those that are protesting with violence I don’t see how that can help but only make matters worst for those we are trying to help.

I am encourage by the movement in a lot of mountain bike circles to make sure that they do not buy bikes or components that were made in China as a form of protest. In my opinion it would be nice to see mountain bikers and cyclists boycott the Olympics. If that isn’t the case I pray somehow through the summer Olympics that the spotlight will be put on these human rights issues and change in China.

I try to keep my politcal views out of my blog but I felt that I had to write on this subject.

Thursday night I had the great joy of going to my son Jimmy’s school Christmas program. I am amazed at times that a child can so easily share the gospel message where at times we as grown ups are either afraid or worried about waiting for the “right time”.

The program was far from a professional production but the true meaning for Christmas was very clear and sincere.

I pray you find hope, peace and love this Christmas.

Last night I had the great joy of watching the original Peanuts Christmas special on TV with Jimmy and Rachel. I am so thankful that it hasn’t been edited down to fit today’s political correctness. Watching  Merry Christmas Charlie Brown is one of the greatest memories I have of Christmas growing up as a child. I believe I have watched it every year for as long as I can remember. There has always been something special about when Charlie Brown asks does anyone know the true meaning of Christmas and Linus walks to the center of the stage at recites from the second chapter of Luke. Even before I was saved I knew that that as what Christmas truly was thanks to that one simple cartoon.

I hope that my kids get the same joy and comfort that I have recieved from that Christmas special as they are growing up. 

Hello again. I can’t believe it has been a week since my last blog entry. I had every intention on writing this last week but for some reason I had writers block and when I tried to write the words would not come. I am going to blame it on the pain meds.

I am happy to say that through my physical therapy my arm is starting to get better although I have a long way to go yet. The sad thing is is that I am starting to go stir crazy. On the bright side I have been able to spend a lot of time in prayer and bible study.

I am looking forward to being able to get back involved with the Jr High ministry at church again.

Thanks for the prayers!!

So sorry it has been so long since I have written. I am happy to say the operation on my arm was a  success.  I tried to write a couple of times but it was just a bunch of gibberish because of the pain meds and physical therapy. I plan on writing a lot in the upcoming week. I am still trying to type with just my left hand so please bear with me.

Thank you for your prayers.

Hello everyone, My name is Jim and I’m new to blogging so please bear with me as I am still learning. I am bike mechanic by trade, yes the pedal human powered type. You wouldn’t believe the looks I get when I tell people that. With that being said I have 4 main loves in my life. My first is my personnal relationship with my loving savior Jeseus Christ. The second is my wonderful family My wife Lori my son Jimmy my daughter Rachel and my other son Tyler who is now with Jesus. The third is ministry. I love serving my Lord and He has seen fit to use me to reach two diffrent people groups the first is middle school youth where I am a director of middle school ministry at my church. The second is mountain bikers and road cyclists. As you may have guessed from my job what my forth love is working on and riding bikes.

I hope to write on all these topics in the near future. This is not always going to be a “Christian Blog”. I plan on writing about a lot of diffrent topics but my faith,family and cycling will be the main points of my blog most of the time though.