More from Rich Dixon:

You plan and plan a bike tour, but mostly the interruptions end up being the stories you tell.

Nobody expected Una’s loud conversations with Jesus. And we sure didn’t expect what happened during a rest stop in a West Virginia farmyard.

First, an impromptu dance party broke out, a reaction to a stressful morning of winding, narrow roads and too much traffic. As the group danced away some anxiety, most of us didn’t notice the conversation between Lydia and Dr. Una.

Lydia was a recent college graduate anticipating her first year of law school. She asked Una about a small spot on her neck that her helmet strap was irritating. In her pediatrician’s calm manner, Una said it wasn’t urgent but should be checked as soon as she returned home.

Turns out, we were all thankful for that annoying helmet strap.

Thyroid cancer was caught in an early stage. Year one of law school was replaced with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Now? Lydia’s an attorney for a Chicago area nonprofit that serves disabled kids – with an attorney husband and two beautiful daughters.

If we stay out of the way, Jesus interrupts our plans in remarkable ways.

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We completed our 500-mile ride at the Lincoln Memorial. Una’s sister met us. After our celebration, Una handed her bike to her sister and announced she was NEVER getting on a bicycle again.

A few minutes later, the leaders announced that we would ride up Capitol Hill together to attend a service at National Community Church. Una refused.

“I promised Jesus I would ride to the Lincoln Memorial. I did that. I AM NOT RIDING ANOTHER FOOT!”

Someone chauffeured her up Capitol Hill.

(A year later, Una rode her bike 500 miles along the Pacific coast to benefit hungry kids. Like I said…we plan, Jesus interrupts.)

To be continued…