Week 307
Positive post Sunday, January 15, 2023- Week 307.
Let me apologize upfront to my Facebook family and friends that are not cyclists as I am writing about yet another very important cycling milestone. I’m confident that, even if you are not a cyclist, you will see the connection to your Faith, Family and Fitness, the Triangle of Life
On October 5th, I unfortunately had another cycling accident. Although this one was not life threatening, it did require surgery and a recovery period of 6 weeks during which time I could not ride my bike. Not that I am counting, but this has been my 5th significant cycling accident that required time off the bike. It is only by the grace of God that I have continued to cycle for over 20 years.
You might be asking what the important milestone is, certainly not having another accident! The milestone is that yesterday was my first ride back on my road bike since my most recent accident and surgery. Thanks for riding with me Lance and looking out for my safety.
I recognize and appreciate the anxiety this causes my family and I truly have safety on top of my mind every time I ride. Understanding my passion for and addiction to cycling, my daughter Stacy and my grandkids gave me a very special, thoughtful, and timely gift Friday night before my first road bike ride yesterday. They gave me the personalized stem cap in the attached picture. It says, “Ride safe Papa – We Love You!” That will be the first thing I see on every bike ride, and they will all be with me on every ride. This gift is simply, “Priceless” and will reinforce my commitment to my family to ride safely on each and every ride.
Now, before you write a comment questioning my sanity for continuing to ride my bikes after all my accidents or ask why my family has not gotten rid of my bikes, hear me out. I should acknowledge, and I’m sure they will comment, that after my most serious and life-threatening accident on October 2, 2020, my family got me a Nordic Track stationary bike in hopes that I would not go back out on the road. I love my Nordic Track bike and I have ridden all over the world safely from the comfort of my living room. That’s a whole other story, bringing the bike into the house from the garage😊.
So, why continue to ride on the streets and in the mountains? Simply put, cycling is far more than just riding a bike to me. It’s where my Faith, Family and Fitness converge. The Triangle of Life is present on every one of my bike rides (read my PPS from last Sunday). Whether I’m riding my bike with my kids, grandkids or cycling buddies, I truly feel Emmanuel – God With Us. With an open heart and clear mind, I look and listen for the many blessings that are often right in front of me. I have created many of my PPS posts on my rides, often stopping to take a photo or write down a thought. In fact, I’ve written PPS posts while in the hospital recovering from injuries from bike accidents. I’m still here for a reason, living out God’s plan for me.
As a safety professional, I am well aware that there are inherent risks in most activities we perform, including cycling. I would be remiss if I didn’t share the most significant learnings from my cycling experiences, in the hopes that they might prevent future accidents. Below is a list of some of my learnings.
- ALWAYS wear your helmet (If I didn’t, I would not be here to write this PPS).
- Ride with others whenever possible.
- Minimize riding in the dark, and if you do, wear reflective gear, use lights with fully charged batteries.
- Ride within your means (Don’t chase Byron down a single track).
- Always perform a safety check on your bike and gear BEFORE riding.
- Inform those riding with you about any medical conditions you have and wear a medical/ID bracelet.
To all my cycling colleagues, be safe and know that Emmanuel is with us on every ride, even if we are unfortunate to get in an accident. We are also blessed to have a patron saint of cycling, St. Madonna Del Ghisallo watching over us. See the Prayer For Safety attached.
What is your example of cycling, a passion you have where your Triangle of Life converges, and you feel the presence of Emmanuel all around you?
How do you give thanks to the Lord for watching over you and your family while you pursue your passions?