Grandpa Bike Musings

   I was playing at a neighbor's house with my sister.  It was the fall of 1998.  I remember playing hide and go seek and trying to avoid crunching the leaves upon the ground.  I was in the middle of finding my perfect hiding space when my mother called us home.  In tears she told me that my grandpa had died.  While cycling, he was hit by a car while riding along Interstate 95 in Florida.

As a child, I had been afraid of my grandpa.  Frankly, I thought he was mean.  I'm pretty sure I told my mother I thought he was mean.  I still didn't understand the concept of death, and so I just spoke what was on my mind.  My mother sternly told me that he wasn't mean.  She knew he was a good man.  As a seven year old, I had never had the opportunity to properly get to know him.  Even though I didn't understand the whole situation at hand, I hugged her.  When a person is crying I've learned to always hug.  But if you are really awkward in those emotional situations like I often am, you can also tell a funny joke to make a person in need smile.

My step-grandma started a race and scholarship in my grandfather's memory.  Each applicant for the scholarship had to compete in "Ray's Ride."  It is no longer being held, but since I have become interested in cycling, I hope to one day begin the race again.

Now that I know more about my grandfather, I feel as if we are very similar.  I wish I had actually been able to grow up in his presence so that we could bond a bit.  I can just see it, me and Ray, sitting on the beach just chatting about the world as we watch the waves crash continuously.  My grandpa was town supervisor at one point.  I believe being part of a community is extremely important.  I know that my grandpa engaged many people in different activities.  This sounds like a really cool career to me. He loved people, just as I do.

I like to put 100% into everything I do.  I like to do meaningful things, and I like helping others.  Unfortunately, sometimes I overextend myself in the things that I do, and I believe this is what happened to my grandfather also.  Fortunately, my grandfather was able to find an outlet through cycling and other competitive sports.  He loved cycling, and even after knee surgeries, he kept at it.  Retiring isn't just for sitting around and relaxing.  My grandfather kept moving and embracing life for all that it is.

When I am on a bike, I feel invincible.  I can go as far as my body is willing to take me.  I find myself smiling from ear to ear during my rides because I feel so free.  There are no windows to surround me as the wind rushes past my face.  Even if each ride is the same, it always feels different.  There is something new I notice each time.  I see the dog playing in the sprinkler, the ice on the lake melting, and the young boy mowing the lawn for the first time.  I take in new sights when I go to different places.  I wonder why I even drive a car because I miss out on so much when I'm shielded by machinery and distractions.

I love the camaraderie when I see the other cyclists.  I quickly lift my hand off the handlebar and give a fellow cyclist a wave.  He waves back, and I'm instantly motivated to bike at a quicker pace.  I gaze at my speedometer and try to reach my top speed as I descend a hill.  I lean as flat as I can against the handlebars.  I am scared but also exhilarated. I've never felt so alive!

My grandfather died while doing something that he had passion for.  He was wearing a helmet, but there's only so much protection that a helmet can actually give.  I aspire to become more like my grandpa because I like that he helped other people.  He made many mistakes, but he was able to overcome his conflicts.  When he found cycling, it fueled his love for life.

  I cause my mother heart palpitations every time I go cycling, but she knows that I have a developed a love for the sport.  I always wear a helmet, and I am very much aware of my surroundings when I ride.  i have learned to value the life that I have been given.  Cycling has given me an opportunity to look at life differently.  I don't want to sound corny, but the world is truly beautiful, especially when viewed from a bike.

Live. Breath. Bike.

And Love Your Grandpa.