Cycling and Camaraderie

“Riding a bike is everything to a cyclist. The friendship and camaraderie you have with other cyclist... to a cyclist, it was the be-all and end-all of your life.” - Tommy Godwin

A fine looking group of friends,  Levis Trow, 2011

I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we often take for granted the people and the moments that we encounter throughout life. It's easy to think that there will always be another time and that things will always stay the same. The harsh reality of the matter is that things really only happen once and then they're gone. Either they're preserved in our thoughts as cherished memories or they are simply forgotten completely because we forgot to be thankful for the time we were given.

With the end of the school year upon us, it is that time again when we must say goodbye to the people we care about, whether it be just for the summer months or for an extended period of time, with no certainty of when or where you may see that person again. Yesterday, the team and I said goodbye to our fellow teammate, Renee, who is moving on in life and is now happily engaged. However, it is also sad to think that Renee won't be with us next year and I think that we will all miss her dearly.

That's where I begin to think about how this upcoming year will be my last with the team as well. When I speak about the people and moments taken for granted, I'm guilty of sometimes not realizing how wonderful it is to be with the team and how truly grateful I am to be a part of something so great. The Red Hawks Cycling Team has been and always will be much more than simply a team, but a group of best friends who support each other beyond simply cycling and competition, but in life; truly something special that I know is rarely experienced elsewhere. I can honestly say that it's going to be difficult to say goodbye when the time comes for me, but I also know that some really great memories will be made this coming year and I know I'll never forget them.

The most important thing for me to remember is simply to contribute and engage fully in everything and to always be present in my entirety. Through doing so, I hope to enrich my life experience overall and to remember to never once take anyone or anything for granted, but for each individual or moment, a gift and an opportunity to do and be something wonderful. My hope is so that when the time comes to say goodbye, I'll have a heart full of joy and a head full of memories. No regrets for the past and a bright and adventurous outlook towards the future.