foaming rant for a thursday afternoon

I think of cycling as a great sport, my sport. Wind in your helmeted hair, traveling from place to place under your own power, racing hard and sometimes you get that fabulous rush of a job well done when either you cross the finish line first, or better still, the whole team has worked their collective butts off so that one person can claim victory for all the hard work of the team - that's really what gets me going - that's really where the joy is.

Yesterday there was an article in VeloNews about a guy in Utah who was hit by a truck and killed instantly - while riding at the end of an experienced paceline. Then today comes the news that one of America's best young riders, Saul Raisin of the team Credit Agricole, is in a hospital in France; quite literally fighting for his life, all because of a race accident.

As I'm laying here thinking about my buddy Frisky who crashed with 150 meters to go in her collegiate race this weekend, I'm grateful she's ok. Folks, it ain't worth it. Stop at the stop signs, ride defensively - even if you are in the middle of NO Where! Yeah, shit happens, it happens to all of us (er hem) but be careful out there - someone loves you and would be destroyed if anything happened to you.

Seems I have a bit of pent up energy - so: wear your sunscreen, wear your helmet you fool! ride defensively, live life to it's absolute highest, but don't be stupid - there are enough things out there willing (and happy) to take you out - so don't go giving them any help!

Ciao for now -