Today was a paradox. Originally, I had planned on my longest ride – based on mileage (80 miles) over the Bernina pass in Switzerland. I planned a shorter ride for my last day--tomorrow here in Bormio to Cancano Lake. I just listened to a Bible study from yesterdays Sunday sermon from my pastor, And he preached on first Corinthians 16:5 –8. It was all about making plans and God‘s will.
Well, I decided to make a plan B because weather was due to come in in the afternoon. So, I decided to do the shorter ride today and finish the afternoon at OC Therme Bagni Vecchio the 2000 year old Roman baths.
I set up on my ride thinking I would beat the weather, or at least most of it. Since I was so close to my hotel, it didn’t matter if I got a little wet. Well… Was I in for a total drenching and freezing. Everything was good while I was climbing, because my body heat kept me warm. However, as I began the descent, the cold settled in. I was pretty much wet through and through – – even though I was wearing my warmest waterproof gore jacket. The rain was pouring down, so I had to take the descent very slowly due to having rim brakes on my bike. This only made the descent longer, and more cold!
I pedddled backwards almost continuously on my way down to keep my legs moving, and I stopped a few times to do windmills and arm movements to keep the blood circulating. This, unfortunately, was to no avail, And I began to shiver and shake. I prayed, wondering what God has in store for me on this change of plans, but the cold continued. I knew I was in trouble, and was reaching the point of hypothermia. The descent is relatively short – – maybe 10 miles, but by the time I reached the main road – – – where there were other vehicles, I knew I needed to do something. Fortunately, a public transportation bus came along, and I was able to catch a ride down into Bormio. I wasn’t exactly sure where my hotel was, so I went into the office, and asked them if I could warm up. A lovely man, Luca, came to my aid, and he brought me a blanket, a warm drink and a heater. I stood over that heater for what seemed like 45 minutes before I stopped shaking uncontrollably. Only when I began to takeoff my wet clothes, did I start to feel like I was thawing out. I put my rain soaked jacket back on and continued to try to use what body heat I had to trap inside. Then, I peddled down the road – a4 of a mile to my hotel.
Now comes the fun part – – plan C – – the Roman baths where water comes up at 36°+ C and is filled with mineral riches to sooth and relax – which is where I am right now! So, the moral of the story is: we may make a plan that seems good, and it may go totally south, but God is there directing leading and providing green pastures for his sheep!