The Ride Against Traffick: Day 2: Namji to Gumi

It was an arduous day. Teams 1 and 2 climbed the mountains steadily after an early mishap with bikes sent some of the members on to a repair shop, but team 3 was beset by struggles, and team 4 was majorly delayed almost from the outset. The weather grew steady hotter, hitting over 30 degrees by the time we reached Daegu. According to rider Manuel Lara, it was the hottest day of any Ride Against Traffick trip since the first one 3 years ago. Through it all, the teams were phenomenally positive and courageous. The team members each kept close together and were greeted at every checkpoint by the cheers of the support crew, and LOTS of water.

The lunchtime checkpoint was at a highway rest-stop. As teams one and two arrived there was a palpable feeling of victory. They had just completed the most difficult climb of the trip so far, and they were excited at the prospect of a timely lunch at the local Korean restaurant. It was so much fun to watch the teammates talking and joking with each other about their recent climb. Both teams had reached a steady rhythm of working together that was a pleasure to see. Now, even though they were about to ride 36 more km in the heat of the day, they seemed encouraged by each other and ready to take on the next leg of the journey.

Throughout this whole trip we have been learning about the joys and struggles of teamwork. Watching out for your teammates can be really challenging, because it seems like you are pouring energy into people who may or may not even appreciate your effort, much less be able to return it. The fast riders must keep pace with the slow ones, and the slowest ones must always push themselves to their limit in order not to drag the pace of the group down. But without the help of their teammates, individual riders could not encourage themselves to face each challenge of the road. There is so much joy in working together and supporting each other, and as each rider builds up his or her teammates, that rider's own spirits are lifted up as well.

I am reminded of the commands that Paul gave to us in the book of Philippians:

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:1-4)