Drafting
I love to cycle. Last week, I took a two-day bike trip with my friend Mike. Riding with a friend has great benefits for several reasons. The camaraderie, discussion, and sharing experiences together make it all fun--but a very practical benefit is the practice of drafting.
One thing one discovers when riding, is that even a mild wind can slow a cyclist down. Drafting plays a huge role in combatting the wind. Drafting (or slipstreaming) in cycling means riding closely behind another rider to break through the air. The lead cyclist punches a hole in the wind, creating a pocket of low pressure that pulls the one behind along. This saves the rear rider between 27% to 50% of energy at typical speeds.
The lead cyclist benefits as well. While the lead rider bears the brunt of the wind, the rider drafting behind them smooths the turbulent airflow. This reduces the suction effect, helping the lead rider save up to 4% of their energy.
As we rode last week, we took turns every 2 km drafting behind each other. There were times when Mike would be in the front, pedalling away, and I would not be pedalling at all, enjoying the benefit of drafting.
It occurred to me that the practice of drafting has some messages for us:
1. We can go farther, go faster, go easier on the journeys of life when we are close to others. God has designed us to live in community. In I Cor. 12 Paul says we are the body of Christ, and each member needs the other.
2. We need to trust one another. In order to draft the rear rider needs to get very close to the front rider, as close as 6 inches. This involves trust. As the rear rider, if I am afraid of crashing into the front rider, I will stay back and not benefit from their wake. What often keeps me isolated from others is a fear that I will be uncomfortable or even hurt, but the distance I place between myself and others actually hinders me.
3. Even the lead cyclist benefits when leading. Paul put it this way in Romans 1:12 when saying he longed to be with those in the church in Rome, "that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith". Reflecting on leading CTFO over the past 6 years, I can say that I have been blessed over and over again and have grown and grown and experienced His love in so many ways. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
I so appreciate that I had a friend last week when facing the wind. May the Lord bring others to help us as we face the winds of life.