I know it will happen. One day there will be a last day I sling my leg over and place my rear on the saddle of a bike. There will be one last pedal stroke, one last hand signal, one last pull at the front, one last group ride. It may be a 90 year old me tooling around the retirement community on a three wheeler bike; basket on the back, reflectors on the spokes or it may be tomorrow on my Kestrel. It might be in riding the bike itself may bring the inevitable – an accident –  a heart attack. A disability could afflict me which would prevent me from riding.

We never know what will befall us. A sad thought for me is a day when I might be aware I will never ride again. It might be that last night was my last ride and I just don’t know it yet. I’d rather not know.

I plan to ride today, as I do most days. Today will hurt as I push myself around a criterium course trying to keep up. And I’ll still love it.

God knows, I love riding my bike – fast, slow, alone, in a group, hot, cold, rain, or shine, I love it. Even when I’m miserable I love it. I’ve loved it since the first day I got on one. I’ll love it my last day riding.