By Jeremy Mills

MY LEGS have finally recovered. I really put them through their paces during the Bike-a-thon we held last month to raise money for an Emmanuel Baptist Church short term mission to El Salvador.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and we rode up the Saanich peninsula to Tulista Park and back. It was 20 kilometres each way – and a delightful trip, with ponds and wildlife, ocean views and small farms (with fat stinky pigs) along the way.

I must admit the pace was a bit slow on the way out; but I had to stick with my buddy so he wouldn’t get lost – how lame! On the way back it was fair game, and my cruising speed was about 22 km/hour (according to the hardcore guy in spandex beside me). My 1977 Raleigh Grand Prix was swifter than a cheetah in the plains of Africa.

All in all, it took three and a half hours, and was very enjoyable.

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In the picture above, you can see the hardcore guy in Spandex – he’s up front with the nice green bike. He has quite the story.

His name is Don Hiebert. He told me he lost his left forearm and all of his toes 20 years ago, when 20,000 volts shot through his body in a workplace accident. He wasn't supposed to survive more than a day, doctors said.

Don has a passion for biking – and serving the Lord. He discovered Bike for Bibles three years ago. Last August he did a 950 km journey with them; during that trip, he biked more than 200 km in one day. How’s that for inspiration?

Thanks to all who supported this fundraiser – and my trip in general.

Jeremy Mills is Christian Info Society’s advertising representative on the Island.

March 2008