I Ride For: Kathy

I Ride For: Kathy

It is not always wind at my back, sunny, and downhill out here riding in mid-Michigan. There are times when there is always a head wind, everything is up hill, and there is rain. I generally do not start a ride in the rain. Today, I made an exception.

With the rain three significant things change about my riding - I ride with a short brim hat. There are no sunglasses. And I have to dump the headphones. With these changes, it gave me brain space to wonder if this change of perspective related to Kathy’s battle with breast cancer.

Short Brim Hat - Yes, these biking hats look funny, but they actually serve an important purpose. The short brim keeps the water out of one’s eyes when riding in the rain. The only catch is while the water is blocked so is the road more than 10-20 feet out. I wonder if cancer treatment is kind of like this. Constantly needing to make choices between medicine, doctors, and balancing feeling sick on work days or the weekend.

No Sunglasses - My glasses are prescription. I cannot see my bike computer without them AND I do not really see road signs more than 100 yards away. No glasses means an added filter to my experience. I bet cancer is a huge filter in Kathy’s life. I bet nothing gets done or is thought about that does not have cancer somewhere in the background.

No Music - While I don’t just listen to music, books, podcasts, and music are a nice distraction. No headphones means an extra level of focus. I have nothing the think about, but the rain, my wet feet, and tired legs. But it also allows me to realize that some birds do sing in the rain, the grass is really green, and the tires going through the rain feel fast. My perception is cancer for Kathy has both the dread of what might be coming and a focus on what is important.

Kathy, I hope your “ride in the rain” has all the positives and few of the negatives. I hope whatever your dry towel and warm socks are come soon. And I hope that tomorrow is sunny and the wind is at your back no matter what direction you go.

SHINE!

The Road Rider