Hey CSF Supporters,
It is crazy to think that the race is less than 2 weeks away! It seems like yesterday that Little 500 was nothing more than a distant thought. I can speak for the team in saying that we are excited to put all of our hard work and effort to the test on April 21st. As a team, our training has shifted gears, no pun intended. We have been getting more accustomed to riding in large groups, which simulates a race-type setting for everyone.
As our training regimens have become more focused, we have become more unified in terms of our purpose and mission as a team. I felt as though I was initially a straggler in this regard, considering that I do not live in the CSF house. Being an RA in Forest Quad, I had struggled with the choice of whether to ride for CSF or Forest Cycling. The relationships I had formed with the guys on this cycling team in conjunction with the mission and purpose at the foundation of CSF Cycling made my choice an easy one. Since then, it has been a privilege to see my teammates, as well as myself, both physically and spiritually develop as the season has progressed.
This season has been exhilarating, especially considering that this is just the second year of existence for CSF Cycling! Qualifying second this year naturally placed the public eye on us as a team. We have received a broad range of input in response to our efforts. These comments range from fuming criticisms to lighthearted jokes. Instead of letting it affect the way we interact with the teams around us, we are all constantly reminded that we are not in this race for our own merit and success, but to please the Lord. Our qualification run, Miss-N-Out, Individual Time Trials, and daily focus at practices have encouraged us to be “sold out” for our Creator. We know we are not working for our glory, but for God’s. Our efforts into bringing Him glory through our participation in this bike race have been anchored to Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This has been and will continue to be a key component to our motivation and purpose.
All six of us are immensely blessed with able-bodies to compete in this race, able-minds to push through the daily rigors of training, and able-spirits with the intent of being constantly guided by His Plan, and not our own. We are humbled at what God has done for us up to this point, and more excited than ever to see what He will do in the future.
Thank you for your continued support. See you on April 21!
Jake Yager
