my bike

Θ

round and round

the wheels turn-

pushing and pulling pedals.

circles and circles

going far –

miles and miles

but

nowhere.

Θ

forearms resting in aero bars,

water bottles sitting in cages;

the playlist blaring in both ears

and

a chest pounding rapidly at bay…

Θ

10 minute, 20 minutes, 45, 60

sometimes many, many more.

if time is sparse, then less it is

dripping sweat all over the floor.

Θ

the mind is somewhere else

thinking of words, memories or things;

thinking about burning the day’s calories

and

beating up one’s self-esteem.

Θ

many times there is reading –

getting caught up with friends

and

other times there is writing –

spilling out feelings and distress.

Θ

Θ

a bike is like a friend –

it can lift your spirits;

make you strong

or

challenge you –

take you places

you never imagined

Θ

BUT

Θ

a bike can also kill you –

leave you bleeding on the ground

as you feel your life slipping away

along

with

a future

Θ

never to be found.

Θ

Θ

Θ

—

Two weeks after this picture was taken, I had crashed in WI during a training ride – six weeks out from Ironman Wisconsin.  Spent three days in the hospital.  After five hours of surgery, two titanium plates, 48 titanium screws, concussion, scars, getting an xray evaluation of my carbon fiber bike and one year later, I competed and completed Ironman Wisconsin 2006.