Remember

Yesterday. It was my intention to post something about training, the route, things like that. But I heard news yesterday about the Giro. That the Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt died in the Giro d' Italia... I hadn't seen the race but had recorded it to watch later. And I watched it late last night. I don't know why it affected me like it did. Even now when I see the images I feel stunned...  Seeing him lying on the pavement paralyzes me... Then I feel like crying. Maybe it's because I've been hit by a car and still carry the scars. But more than that, it's the loss of life... The loss of any life is so tragic. 

I know the rest of us will just go on. And I'll go on riding.


But for now... Just for a moment... Let's just take some time to remember. Remember how wonderful life is. Remember the great opportunities we've been given in this life. Remember the people around us and how they enrich our lives.

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A View of the Ride

I must pay homage and express appreciation to Ian Mastenbrook who posted this video on YouTube.  It shows the RTB route as it winds its way through the Pacific Coast Range about 10-15 miles from the beach.  

I'm preparing to ride this annual event - more properly know as the Reach the Beach Clean Air Bicycle Challenge - a non-competitive bike ride from the Portland suburb of Beaverton to Pacific City on the Oregon coast. The ride is designed to raise awareness and funds for the American Lung Association of Oregon's education, advocacy, and research programs. 

Visit www.reachthebeach.org for more information.

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