Kate H., Claudia B., Me, and Lori G. bundled up for the ride.

Victoria Ride Redefines Tough

Triathlon training starts tomorrow and I'm using today to recuperate from what was undoubtedly the toughest ride I have ever done to date. The Hays Rope 'em Ride was yesterday  and it will be a ride I will always remember, not just because of the challenging conditions but also because I finally got to see the beautiful Cathedral of the Plains and share that experience with some wonderful friends.

Last year Kate H. and I stepped out of our comfort zone and signed up for the Rope 'em Ride after her cousin mentioned the event. It benefits the local children's center and we were looking forward to seeing the area churches that the ride passed along the way. We logged 62 miles on a beautiful spring day with the temperature nearing 95 at the end of the ride with winds of 15 miles per hour. (To read more about this ride check the post for May 6th, 2012, Record Ride!)

This year the route for the ride was to pass St. Fidelis Church in Victoria. Known as the Cathedral of the Plains it is a towering structure build by the Volga-German Catholics in the area and is a testament to their faith and dedication. Native limestone was quarried south of the town and each family hauled wagon loads of stone to meet their obligations. It was a huge undertaking and resulted in a beautiful church that draws visitors from around the world.

Standing next to the plaque honoring my Great Grandfather.

My interest in the church is more personal. I knew my great grandfather was a carpenter and worked on the Cathedral but in doing more research I discovered that he actually carved two of the side alters. John Linenberger was a master craftsman who had a natural talent that he shared with his community in many ways. I couldn't wait to see his work first hand.

However, Mother Nature was working against me. Where last year's ride was beautiful, this year's would be a challenge. I watched all week as the forecast predicted temperatures in the low 50s with winds howling out of the north at 25 mph, gusting to 35. Not good riding weather at all. I've always been a fair weather rider and this was not fair weather. But I really wanted to see the Cathedral. It's not as if I couldn't drive up any time I wanted and visit, but the thought of riding up to the church on a bike tour just seemed right.

I worked and worked with the route, revising it for different distances and wind directions. I finally accepted that the only leg of the tour that was do-able (at least for me) was out and back to Victoria. It was only 24 miles and I didn't know if my riding buddies would want to make the trip for that short of a ride. But they were all willing to give it a try and we packed all the warm clothes that we thought we could wear and still peddle a bike.

The morning dawned cold and windy, 38 degrees with a 25 mph north wind. We set off to the east and made fair time to Victoria. The half mile we had to travel into the wind convinced us that we made the right decision not to travel the north-south legs of the route. As we pulled up to the Cathedral I was humbled by the size and scope of the building. It is 144 feet to the top of the twin spires. We went inside and waited for the warmth to fill us.

The church is beautiful. The skill and workmanship of the builders is evident. The dedication of the parishioners to undertake this huge task attests to their faith and endurance. And I was humbled to think that my ancestor had a hand in this holy place. I don't know which alters he crafted but I plan to find out. And then Kate told me there was a dedication plaque in honor of my great grandfather. I was overcome with pride. With tears in my eyes I looked at my great grandfathers plaque. He used the talent he was given for the joy of others. The least I can do is use the small talent I've been given to encourage others to be their best.

St. Fidelis, the Cathedral of the Plain.

All to soon it was time to head back to Hays. We knew we would have a hard time with the wind coming  out of the north/northwest at 28 mph. We took out and the sweat we had worked up had cooled and now we felt like icicles. It was the hardest 12 miles I had ever ridden. Even with stopping at the SAG half way back it was a struggle. We had talked about either making the trip again to get more mileage or riding around town to get more seat time. That wasn't going to happen. When we made it back to the starting headquarters we were through.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. That applies to this ride for sure. I learned that with the correct preparation anything is possible. We dressed for the weather and made the best of the route with the conditions were were dealt. I learned that dedication and faith can create magnificent monuments to the human spirit. If I can apply that philosophy to my life think what I can mold of this humble lump of clay. I also learned that doing anything with friends is so much more rewarding then doing it alone. Without my friends by my side I might never have headed out into the cold and wind and never experienced the beauty of the Cathedral of the Plains.

So today I rest. Tomorrow the real fun begins. I am so blessed to have friends to share this journey.