Who are you drafting off?

Cyclists often use a technique in riding called drafting. 

The basic idea of drafting is that you have at least two riders cycling in a tight single file line, with the back rider taking advantage of the slipstream created by the front rider.

Essentially, the front rider cuts through the wind, decreasing the wind resistance of the second cyclist, saving him a significant amount of effort & energy.

To properly draft in a headwind, cyclists must ride as close as possible to the bicycle in front of him.

The shorter the distance between the bikes, the larger the decrease in wind resistance.

Drafting aids the back rider, giving him (or her) the help of up to 40% less energy exerted, while going the same speed as the front rider.  

Drafting is an important tactic in bike racing and long distance rides.  Teams use it to save energy and rotate in and out of the lead position, but riders must remain close to the lead rider, never venturing too far behind in order to receive the strength and benefits aided from this technique.

A few years ago as a beginner in the cycling community, pedaling along-side much stronger riders, I would sometimes find myself with the need to draft off more experienced and stable cyclists.
When my quads were burning and my heart a pounding, finding that sWeeT SpoT behind a enduring friend, would provide me with the strength needed to pull up a challenging hill or help glide me through the last 20 miles of a long distance ride.

This year, I found myself in the position of being able to serve as the lead rider in various routes throughout the season.  I was more equally yolked with my fellow riders allowing us to alternate who would take the lead throughout the different races and rides. Drafting off one another helped us, together, reach our goal and destination on course to the finish.

Drafting in cycling is much the same as "drafting" in life.
Just as in cycling, in life I can only do so much on my own.  There are times when I feel weak, times when I need a strong partner in front of me;  someone to break the headwind of a particularly tough route.
I can ride at 20 mph on my own, for a while, but I soon die out.
I can live my life daily, but there are times when I am weak, tired and heartbroken.
Aligning myself with strong riders and lending my support to weaker riders in the days of our lives, has proven to be wonderful to both.
In addition to leading and drafting off one another,
there is One who has charted this course before.  He's a strong rider and can bear the burden of even the strongest headwind and the steepest hill.
When I align my tires closesly, ever so closely, behind Him, I know right where I am going, and I know I am safe.
I feel that extra ummph as I steer toward the finish.
When I am drafting off our Savior, I know he will make up the difference- even more than a mere 40%! 

I think of this analogy often as I ride my bike, throughout the year.  It helps me stay focused and reminds me of our Savior and his example and sacrifice, of which I am ever and forever, eternally grateful for in my life.