A Prayer Before the Crash
- Richard Webster
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 18
Ken expected Saturday morning's ride to be a short test of a new mask. It became a test of preparation, perseverance, and the kind of timing his family will not soon forget.
With smoke still affecting the region, Ken headed out early for a two-hour training ride. The air quality was listed as moderate, but after learning more about the risks of breathing smoke particles, he, Laralynn, and Richard agreed that protecting his lungs needed to be part of the plan for the Lake Michigan trip.
A Different Kind of Training Gear
Ken's first impression was honest: riding in a mask felt different. But it was more comfortable than he expected, the release valves made it easier to breathe out, and his glasses did not fog. He could also laugh about the unusual look.
"Hello, Luke. I am your father," he joked before rolling out.
Once he settled into the ride, the reason for wearing it mattered more than the adjustment.
"If it will protect my lungs, look at my age, that's one of my main goals," Ken said. He also reflected on quitting cigarettes a year ago so he could become healthier and prepare for this nearly 600-mile journey.
That makes the mask more than a piece of trip gear. For Ken, it is a practical way to keep training and stay active on days when smoke or other poor outdoor air conditions might otherwise keep him inside.
Interested in the mask Ken tested? You can view or purchase it on Amazon (Click here).
Affiliate disclosure: Richard Webster participates in the Amazon Associates Program and may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Any commission will help cover the website and costs associated with the trip.
The mask attracted attention. One driver passed Ken with no hands on the steering wheel for a moment, clapping and giving him a thumbs-up. Ken laughed and said the encouragement helped him keep the mask on.
Holy Hill, Headwind, and an Empty Road
Ken rode out toward Holy Hill, climbing familiar roads before enjoying the fast trip back down.
What surprised him was how quiet the route felt. On a normal Saturday morning, he often sees several other cyclists. This time, he was alone.
"I wonder if it's about the smoke and the particles," he said. Then he pointed to the mask and added, "Guess what? I ain't got that problem. Let's go, baby!"
About an hour and a half into the ride, Ken had removed the mask only long enough to drink water. A 13 mph headwind made the return harder, but home was close.
The finished route totaled 16.2 miles with 744 feet of climbing. It should have ended as a successful test ride.
The Final Mile
About a mile from home, Ken crossed Highway 60 on an angle toward a narrow opening where he could reach the sidewalk. His tire hit wet grass, and the bike went out from under him.
"There was no time for anything," Ken later told Richard.
He landed hard on his left knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, and helmet. His head struck a telephone pole. Drivers on Highway 60 stopped after seeing him go down. Then they watched him stand, shake it off, pick up his bicycle, and ride home.
Ken was sore and scraped up, but thankful that he had been wearing his helmet. He also believes the strength he has built through months of daily workouts and long training rides helped protect him when he hit the ground.
A Prayer at the Kitchen Table
While Ken was approaching home, Laralynn was at the kitchen table. She checked Life360 and saw him coming down Highway 60 toward Cell Drive. She planned to move into the living room, but something made her stay where she was and pray.
"Lord, please put a shield around his body. Keep him safe whenever he travels."
Laralynn finished with, "In Jesus' name, amen," walked into the living room, and looked at the map again. Ken's location had stopped briefly. Moments later, it began moving down Honeysuckle toward home.
When Richard asked whether she had been praying at the moment of the crash, Laralynn answered simply, "Yes."
The timing stopped the family in its tracks. They called it a "God wink," one of those moments that does not erase the fall or the bruises but leaves them deeply grateful for protection in the middle of it.
Ken, still Ken, lightened the moment with a joke: "If she would have prayed a little sooner, it probably wouldn't have happened."
Back Home, Still Moving Forward
In his final video, Ken summed up the ride without dramatizing it. The mask worked better than expected. The headwind was difficult. The fall hurt. But the training continues.
"You know, if you're in good shape, you can get up and pedal on home," he said.
That sentence captures more than one Saturday ride. The Lake Michigan journey will bring smoke, wind, hills, fatigue, and unexpected moments. Preparation cannot remove every risk, but it can help Ken meet those moments with wisdom, strength, faith, and the support of the people who love him.
Help Keep Ken Encouraged
Ken reads your comments and notices every like, message, and word of encouragement. Please leave a comment on this post, and when you see Ken's updates on Facebook, take a moment to like or comment there too. Knowing people are following along gives him an extra push on difficult training days.
Ken is preparing to bike nearly 600 miles around Lake Michigan to raise money for Operation Christmas Child. The goal is $6,000 to help cover the $10 shipping and handling cost for 600 shoebox gifts for children around the world.
Support Ken's Operation Christmas Child fundraiser (Click here)
No gift is too big or too small. Every donation helps move another shoebox toward a child, and every encouraging word helps Ken move another mile down the road.
God is awesome! Always looking out for you!