Forty years and counting

I am passionate about cycling — no surprise there. But, it is not my first love.

As many of you know, because of a bicycle, I was given the golden opportunity to share the rest of my lifetime with the most wonderful person I have ever known. Just imagine, if I had done one thing differently on my English-built Dawes two-wheeled machine on that March afternoon, I never would have laid eyes on the girl of my dreams.

I can honestly say that getting run over by a truck in London in 1982 is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It's not the easiest way to meet one's future wife, but it was well worth the pain and suffering — along with spending two months in the hospital.

Anyway, I am still riding bicycles. But more importantly, I am still with Vicky, the one and only souvenir from my initial journey across the pond. And this coming Sunday, we will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. Again, because everything turned out all right in the end, I cannot thank that truck driver enough for my good fortune.

And while I'm thankful for many things in my life, I feel particularly lucky that my partner understands the importance to me of going for bicycle rides. It is obviously such a big part of who I am, and Vicky — thank heavens — gets it.

Granted, I do spend a ton of time on my bicycles. Take this last May, for example. I cycled every day, so 30 rides for the month. When I go for a pedal it is, at a minimum, at least 90 minutes long. Which translates into 2,700 minutes — or 45 hours — for that particular month. And, truth be told, the majority of my outings are for two hours or more. But Vicky never moans — too much — over the fact that I'm on my bicycles so much. I do my best to get in a spin while she's busy with other activities.

Amid our basement full of bikes, there is one that belongs to Vicky. But unlike me, riding it isn't on her list of priorities. So it is collecting dust. In her defense, she is extremely engaged with her work at the local food pantry, but I have to do a better job of encouraging her to go. Especially with the Kennebec River Rail Trail so handy. And speaking of a bunch of bikes, she has always been very supportive whenever I start toying with the idea of acquiring another one.

Anyhow, it goes without saying that I'm married to my bicycles. But I'm also married to Vicky, and for that I'm profoundly grateful. Forty years and counting. Stay safe!

(Editor's note: Here is a link as to how it all began — Love Struck.)

Me and the missus at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.