The Paceline We All Need

In NASCAR it’s called the draft. In cycling it’s known as a paceline. Whether the task is driving around an oval track or peddling down the road, the concept is the same. Being an avid cyclist I’m very familiar with the paceline. Pacelines enhance safety, camaraderie, and the ability to ride longer distances with less effort. (Which I strongly support!)

Pacelines are those neat single file lines you see in the Tour de France and it's a great way to cover a lot of distance fast, with much less energy expended by everyone in the group. The concept is that wind resistance is your enemy (as much as 40% of your energy is spent overcoming wind resistance) and by following someone close behind you can use less energy. Of course the person in front will be doing most of the work so you trade off turns at the front so that every one gets a break.

Riders in a paceline take turns at the front of a single-file line of cyclists, push hard or maintain an agreed upon speed, and then move to the left as the other riders pass you. You then fall back in at the end of the line and rest in the "draft". Cycling in the "slipstream" of another rider, is much easier than "breaking the wind" all by yourself. A paceline is an effective way to cover ground with higher speeds and lower energy out put. A paceline is also useful when "riding into the wind", as it gives you a periodic rest from the work of pushing through a headwind. A paceline also enhances safety, as it forces the riders into a single line along the right side of the road.

If you’re not a cyclist or a racecar driver you might be asking, “what does all this have to do with me?” Let me ask you - Are you trying to go it alone? Are you involved with other believers in small group of some kind? Even the great Lance Armstrong had to have a great team around him in order to succeed. The life of a Christian is not easy. It’s a struggle – a fight – a constant ride into the “headwind” of a fallen and sinful world. Remember the words of Jesus: “In this world you will have trouble”. (John 16:33) This life is a ride God never intended for us to go alone. We need other believers with us – in front of us – behind us. More specificially we need to be in the “paceline” of a small fellowship group or Sunday School class who will “ride with us” providing a break from the wind, providing encouragement, and giving us a place to sit comfortably in the saddle and rest for a few miles, giving us the endurance we need to finish the race and help others do the same.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15: 5-6