An Oasis in the Desert of Life
I wrote this probably in 2003 when I was a regular rider with the bike club. At the time, I wrote articles for the local paper about our riding adventures. In fact, this was one of them. It’s been a few years since I’ve even been on my bike. I suppose once a person gets out of the habit of something, it’s hard to get back into it. (Sounds something like an excuse, doesn’t it?)I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The last time I went on a bike tour in East Texas back in May 2005, the pain in my wrists was terrible.
Since I’ve been a member of a local bicycle club, several of us have made the annual trip to Wichita Falls, TX the last of August to ride the Hotter N Hell Hundred (HHH). You have the choice of doing distances from 25 to 100 miles.
Riding any century is a challenge, but the HHH is especially one because of the heat. There have been times when the official high was 104. Keep in mind that the temperature is measured in the shade. I can only imagine what it is coming off the asphalt. Imagine riding down a long stretch of road with no shade trees. In front of you, you can see waves of heat coming off the road. For a few seconds the air may feel halfway comfortable. Then, there is a blast of heat that feels like the door of a furnace has been opened. You reach down on your bike for the water bottle and take a few swallows of the refreshing liquid, relishing its coolness as it goes into your body providing temporary relief from the heat.
What you’re really looking forward to is the next rest stop. There, you know you will find plenty of ice-cold water and Gator Aid, along with various snacks such as watermelon, oranges and bananas. Most importantly, you know you will find one thing at the rest stop that you won’t find in very many other places… Shade from the sun.
Later on in the ride, especially if you’re going for the 100 miles, these rest stops become more and more important. There have been numerous times when I’ve felt weak and sick from the heat and thought about giving up. I would finally make it to one of these welcome “oases in the desert”, get off my bike, make it as far as a cot, then lie down. Before long, one of the medical personnel would come over with ice-cold paper towels to put on my head and face. After lying there, sometimes for a long period of time, I gradually begin to feel better. The idea of giving up doesn’t seem much of an option any more. Once again I’m determined to get back on my bike and finish the ride.
In a single ride, I’ve gone through this cycle of wanting to give up several times. Each time, after a respite at an oasis, I feel refreshed and ready to go again.
In our daily lives we are faced with many problems and trials. Just like riding in the scorching heat, these problems can drag us down. They can make us want to give up on our goals, make us just want to throw our hands up and say, “why bother?”
Sometimes these problems nag at us; they become obsessions eating at us during every waking hour. How can we function in the midst of all these worries?
Just like the bicyclist who needs the rest stops to replenish his supply of water and to provide a place of rest from the sun, as we travel the road of life we need an oasis from our problems.
Sometimes this comes from finding a quiet place to ourselves, a place where we can relax uninterrupted. Somewhere we can quietly think about the problems at hand.
At other times, this “oasis in the desert” is found in a close friend. Someone we are comfortable being ourselves with, not afraid to reveal our insecurities and deepest fears.
Like sitting on a cot, under a tent with cold towels on our face, this special time with a close friend can be refreshing. This is just what we need to get us over our thoughts of throwing our hands up and saying “no more”. Providing us with what we need to be determined to continue on the road of life, to reach our destination despite whatever hardships we may face.
