I am back to blogging after a 2 week hiatus while my father was in town visiting. I used the two weeks to allow my legs even more recovery time. A little more rest couldn't hurt. I also just used the time to enjoy my family.
As amateur cyclists, we are often looking for opportunities to break away from the family to get in that valuable saddle time as the fear of backsliding looms overhead. For me, it is also the encouragement of my family that drives me to be a better rider, a better husband and a better father. I am proud to put the bike up for a couple of weeks to spend those valuable moments with the people I would, in a heartbeat, sell any of my bikes for.
With my dad here, I was also provided the opportunity to ponder my riding and why it matters.
My father is 74 years old. He has been a smoker for 55 of those years. The smoking, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of self-control, has given his time with us an added sense of urgency--an urgency I never felt with my grandfather, even when he was in his 90's.
Up at Wuling, my dad was becoming dangerously lightheaded and I had to rush him down to lower elevations so he could catch his breath.
You see, as opposed to the idealized image of the father, my father is also a study in frailty and weakness.
As much as I don't like to think about the reality of possibility, I know that my father could be gone at any time and these moments with him are precious. He is a wonderful, kind, intelligent, loving person and there are never enough of those people in this world. He's also my dad.
I am also a selfish father and I would like him to have time to share his gifts with his little granddaughter.
Now, as I look at my little baby, I realize that she may make me a grandpa one day. I just hope if that time comes, I can be an example of health, fitness, strength and provide that child with as much of my time as I can.
Cycling is one way I can commit to my daughter that I will try to be there for her... even in the hours when I am away on a long stretch of highway.
Here are a few pictures from my family time over the past two weeks. I am just glad we had the opportunity to make some really great memories. I just hope there will be opportunities for more.
