NowTHINK!AboutIt

East Coast Cycling Fondo For May 2016

June 27, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

A Gran Fondo
With A Small “g”

This ride was more to the liking of a moderate ability cyclist. The length was good (93k), the climbing was decent (976m) and the route (shown left) was familiar.

There was one puncture but the groups are considerate so no one is left alone. It’s in the fabric of the club. We stay together.

The route was not one we do every week but it was familiar.

Leaving Suncoast we travel to Umhlanga Rocks on backroads.
From Umhlanga Rocks we follow the M4 to the Engen Station at Ballito.
Hopping across to the R102 we travel south through Verulam and turn left on the R41.
We followed the M41 up to Gateway and followed Umhlanga Rocks to Northway and Northway down to Suncoast.

It was cold when we started but I was shedding my long sleeves by the time we got to Gateway. This wasn’t your typically gruelling Gran Fondo but it was a good ride with a nice bunch of people.

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THINK!AboutIt

East Coast Cycling Fondo For April 2016

June 27, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

2000 Meters Is Just A Number
Unless You’re On A Bike

The monthly Gran Fondo (long group ride) for East Coast Cycling Club in April was a doozy.

There were two groups following the same route. The more ambitious group went 20 kilometres longer and added an additional 600 meters of climbing to an already hectic track.

The totals were hefty.

Long ride: 130 kilometres, 2600 meters climbing.
Less long ride: 110 kilometres, 2000 meters climbing.

Originally the plan allowed for two follow cars, one for each batch (A and B) but the A batch had a puncture in the first 15 or so kilometres and the B’s carried on, making it senseless to keep both cars in tow.

The A’s did catch the B’s and the group spread out quite a bit but the follow car managed to keep an eye on the riders.

I only got to the 46 kilometre mark before turning back. The climb was just too much and it isn’t over when you turn. From Verulam to Gateway the road travels only up. On tired legs, it’s a killer.

The one drawback – other than climbing – was the sand. It’s rural and a light sprinkling of rain made sand stick to everything. Fortunately, my bike was due for a new chain and cassette so it wasn’t a problem but I think everyone booked a service immediately after.

Following is the route profile and directions. [Read more…] about East Coast Cycling Fondo For April 2016

Tim Pepper For Your Listening Pleasure

June 26, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Diverse
Full Of Soul
Gripping

Following is a sampling of music by Tim Pepper (singer/song writer/guitarist/sound engineer/author/biotech lab rat/guy who waits tables part time).

What makes Tim’s music interesting is he writes in so many diverse styles: fast, slow, sad, happy, loud, soft, serious, light, bluesy, jazzy, rockish, folkish, reflective and just for fun. But all of his music has soul! Fast or slow, it grabs.

None of it forced. It just flows naturally.

Apart from a few keyboard lessons around age 8 or 9 and a few voice lessons in his late twenties, he’s never had serious musical training.

Following high school he borrowed my guitar, which mostly collected dust, and a few cord books. Guitar playing friends showed him a rift or two and with that, his musical career was launched. More than a hundred songs and several albums later, the rest is history.

You can read about Tim on his website. You can connect with Tim on Facebook. You can listen to more songs on his YouTube channel.

Differences Between Calvinists And Arminians

June 25, 2016 by EnnisP 2 Comments

Either/Or
Neither/Nor
What Are You
Going To Be

I consider myself neither Calvinist nor Arminian but rather a mix of the two. I don’t mean to sound uncommitted or indecisive when I say that.

It’s just difficult for me to think any person could really side completely with either.

And the two ideas vary a lot.

I doubt any person in either camp today is exactly what the forebears of either belief were in the past. Which, of course, means that if you say you are a Calvinist now, you will be differing with Calvinists of yesteryear.

As things move forward, and we think more deeply about our beliefs, perspective changes.

Don’t overreact. I didn’t say belief changes. I said perspective changes. If it doesn’t, you’re standing still.

It’s a fact. Today’s Calvinist is different.

The same could be said of Arminians but does anyone ever talk about Arminianism. Other than Calvinists.

Of the two ideas, the one most talked about, studied, explained and argued over is Calvinism. Everyone joins in that conversation. Arminianism, however, gets most of it’s attention from Calvinists.

So, I decided to put together a comparison of the two. Don’t get upset though. No insult is intended. The following list of comparisons is not exhaustive and is written in the spirit of fun and humor. [Read more…] about Differences Between Calvinists And Arminians

The Most Important Factor In Fatherhood

June 23, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Be There

Fathers.Com lists several statistical observations about children living in fatherless homes:

Fatherless children are more likely to live in poverty, at greater risk for alcohol and drug abuse, more than twice as likely to commit suicide, experience more trouble academically, are more inclined to exhibit delinquent behavior, and tend to engage sexually at a younger age.

All of the statistics are well documented. The conclusion is that Fathers do make a difference. The question is, Why? What is making the difference?

There are many possible answers to that question but one observation that is often overlooked is the fact that maybe a father makes an impact by just being present. Most books describe fathering somewhat like an Attorney General. He makes the right rules, maintains the right discipline, and models the highest standards of virtue always.

Rules, discipline and virtue are important but the stats quoted are based on homes with fathers vs homes without. Just being there is a big deal.

Although there is a lot of discussion and speculation about what good fathers do, beyond being present, it might be difficult to isolate exactly what that is.

Fathers, like any other humans, are individuals, meaning they’re diverse and have different ways of relating to family members. Their mannerisms are partly learned from previous generations and I doubt any two are exactly alike, even among those considered the best.

Let’s face it. Not all fathers are equally secure, confident, and motivated. They may or may not be educated. Some are entrepreneurs and some work-a-days but if they are present, they have an impact.

Even the fathers classed as good probably don’t know exactly what they do to make a difference but there are likely many reasons why being present is better than being absent.

A few observations are in order. [Read more…] about The Most Important Factor In Fatherhood