I have to type my date of birth to get into this blog page.  It’s kind of annoying.  It was so very long ago.  I was the oldest rider tonight at WW.  Someone asked why I still ride with the very competitive group out here, turning myself inside out each Wednesday.  I replied, “Because I still can.”  But I know my place.  And it’s less and less about me now.  And that’s fitting.  I am fine with watching from the back, giving up my place in the paceline to a younger rider, albeit begrudgingly.  Watching this beautiful thing that we create each Wednesday night.  Like a beautiful painting, the more you look at it the more you see and knowing that only few know what to really look for.  Tonight about 30 riders came out to the art exhibit at 446 and Knightridge.  A tough and challenging 4 miler with two little power hills.  We agreed on 7 laps tonight.

The 5th edition of the 2013 MMSF was contested in a squall as a front came through from the South.  Nonetheless 20 came and braved the conditions and put forth a good effort for the history book.  in the end, the skies cleared and all, save for one were not worse for the wear.  One new rider, visiting from Africa, turned right down Beanblossom and turned ’round at Anderson and rode back to the start-finish!  After nearly an hour, Shane and I went to collect the poor rider and gave him a ride back home.  Spencer Brauchla took the overall win averaging 25.56 mph.  Thanks to Jason Urbanski for helping with the timing and to Shane Slaven for the use of his umbrella.

Stoicism. It is a word unknown to most people, but a philosophy quoted often. “Stay calm, carry on” “God grant me the serenity…” “when life give you lemons…” are read often enough on Facebook. It’s a sound philosophy, that dictates when life gets hard, one must become harder. For whatever reason, many of my friends and myself have been struck by vehicles whilst cycling. Though we have varying degrees of pain and suffering, I hope that all of you can learn to keep your head about you.