Thursday 8 April 2010

Three Things Thursday

Back on the Road!

  • Since the beginning of March, actually March 1st to be exact, I've been out on the bike!  Yes, struggling cycling through the cold, the wind (aghh, the wind has been relentless) and yes, there have been some really nice days too.  Easter Weekend a group of us went to scenic Merrickville for a nice ride along the river and past century homes and farmers fields.  The speedy speedster's went on ahead and cycled down to the St. Lawrence River and back, while us mere mortals rode along at a saner pace and did a 40K loop.  We met up afterwards and enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the patio at the Yellow Canoe Cafe.  Fun times and so early in the season. 



  • Monday was the private family service and internment for my life long friend.  The drive is 2 1/2 hours one way and I left my house at 6 a.m. to be there on time.  It was cold, rainy and very windy while we were at the cemetary, which I found fitting.  My friend lived and died on her own terms and she really did have a remarkable life.  While never a mother figure to me, she was more like a sister,  a true confidant and she was the glue that held my past to my present.    No one knows me the way she did and she never judged me, even when I did some wildassed crazy things.  She was my beacon of sanity.  Now that is gone and I am totally lost.



  •  Did I mention that I fell off my bike?  Well, yes, I did, at a standstill none the less.  I have a huge honking black, purple and blue bruise covering the grand expanse of my right butt cheek (yes, I took a photo, but I've spared you the visual).  My right elbow is technicolour as is my right leg.  The bleeding on my right shin finally stopped, but my bike pedals are now covered in blood.  Well the good news is at least that is out of the way, bring on summer!!!
Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

29 comments:

Anne said...

1) Sounds like an amazing ride...and lunch on a patio...sigh :)
2) Big hug (((())))
3) Yikes...hope you're not in too much pain.
Do take care Laurel :)

Wes said...

Now that is gone and I am totally lost.

Not true. You must carry on with lessons learned.

Falling off your bike while standing still is a right of passage. Welcome to the club :-)

jahowie said...

I can't wait to ride again. Loved reading this post.

Sorry for your loss.

Be careful out there will ya?!?!

Tricia said...

sorry for your loss

TNTcoach Ken said...

Did you say the Grand Canyon, that's pretty big??? Ha.......I'm still waiting on my first fall after years of cycling.....

Marlene said...

YAYYY on all the biking!

Hubs is worried that I'll hurt myself on my bike this time, since I won't be skiing. lol, I'll be careful!

I hope you aren't too hurt from the tumble. I had the most MINOR fall a couple weeks ago and couldn't believe how achy I was all over. Ouch!

Pining for Pinterest said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend!!! Great job on your biking!

skierz said...

SOunds like sopme awesome rides(although windy) THink of your loss as a gain. An opportunity to take a moment and reflect on the wonderful things that you enjoyed, and that she did leave on her terms!
Oh yeah, stay on the bike, it will make the summer much easier on the body! :) CHeers

Gotta Run..... said...

I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend!! My heart goes out to you. :)

Both times I have fallen I my bike I was standing still. Amazed at how bad it was for not even being in motion.

Anonymous said...

blood covered bike pedals are HOT. That's also equaly awesome that you've been out there regardless of teh elements...rock on!

Judi said...

as long as you get right back on the bike....

:)

i love your riding pix lilly!

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

Thanks for stopping by..
You know IM is all about the bike. If you make bike your primary focus, there is no reason you couldn't slap Father Time around and go for the full IM. It is all about confidence. So, go get that 1/2 IM and then....
ps: I have a chemical plant in Ottawa (Kemira)

Unknown said...

While your friend isn't physically here any longer, she will be with you always.

EndorphinBuzz said...

Sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you.

Shelley said...

so sorry for your loss, I can only say that bit by bit your heart heals just a bit, but you never forget and tears will always flow for that loved one lost...you will be together again someday!
xxoo

Jess said...

Sorry about the fall! I think we need pictures though :)

Anonymous said...

*Hugs*

and good grief, girlfriend. Hope you heal quickly and no repeat performances.

love ya!
~ Blondie

Alexandra said...

I am so sorry you lost your life long friend! You say she lived a remarkable life, well, I think yours is quite remarkable too!

Julie said...

Someone is looking mighty spanky on her bike:) Sorry about the fall and big bruise on the butt cheek!

So sorry for the loss of your friend. Hugs:)

Black Knight said...

Sorry for your friend. I don't bike anymore because I am again shocked for the motor-bike accident.

teacherwoman said...

Sorry for the loss of a great friend. *hugs*

Gotta Run..... said...

Are you on FB or do you have an email address?

mine is gottarun472@gmail.com

can send you my first 4 weeks of Tri training if you want to look at it.

Grey Beard said...

Was just checking in to see if the new bike you were looking at/ordered, had arrived. Sorry you have lost such an anchor in your life. Losing my father/last parent was that way for me.

It's a changing of the guards. Soon you can pass on all of the great things you learned from & with your friend to others who will seek your help and guidance. I think that is the best way to honor lost loved ones.

Stick to your goals, and revel in your life. Rituals can be so helpful in such trying times. Lance Armstrong lost a good friend in a horrible crash during the TDF years ago. When he gets to the top of that mountain now, he takes his hands off the bars, makes prayer hands, and looks to the heavens, thanking his friend for all they shared. Something like that....

So...new bike...new smiles?

Groover said...

It's so typical of you that you started with the positive.

I hope the pain of your less will become less over time. There will be times (I'm sure of that) when you will still get guidance in moments of doubt just by thinking of your friend. I also hope your bruise will disappear and I'm glad that the fall did not put you off cycling.

Hugs for you!

prashant said...

Sorry about the fall! I think we need pictures though :)
data entry work from home

Amy said...

So glad you have had some nice bike rides, in spite of that fall...sounded like an ugly one.

It must have been so hard to say the final goodbye to your dear friend...but her guidance is there for you forever in your memories of her and what she would tell you from her heart. Hang in there.

Nat said...

1. I love the yellow canoe cafe... such good food.

2. I'm sorry for you loss.

3. Ouch!

Runner Leana said...

I have been told that there are two kinds of cyclists - those who have fallen, and those who will fall. Hope that bruising heals up quickly!!!

I am so sorry for your loss Laurel. Take care my friend!

ShirleyPerly said...

I hate big bruises. I got one on the side of my leg after a bike fall a couple years ago and it took months to finally go away.

And, again, my condolences on the loss of your friend.