I can’t believe how gorgeous it is out today and here I sit at my computer writing this post! I wish I could say why I am not out on my bike, but I believe it’s due to the fact it’s Sunday and I know the roads will be glutted with a million motorcyclists who, like me, have been deprived of riding for many months now. Now, having said that, I also believe it’s because I have been off the bike for so long that I will feel much like a new rider all over again without the excitement or bravado of “new riderdom”. Instead, I will need to go through the drills of riding, some slow speed drills, some quick stops, swerves and u-turns and get all friendly with my bike again, so that I know its moves as well as I know my own.

I recently lost a friend who was commuting to work almost daily on his motorcycle. He was an excellent rider, a ride instructor, a community contributor, and husband. He did everything right, but that doesn’t matter in cases like this. He was killed at the scene by hitting a SUV that swerved into his lane directly in front of him on wet pavement. The accident was a tragedy and one that makes us realize we are all mortal and the game board is not even. Sometimes doing all the right things doesn’t make any difference. Sometimes, it just doesn’t matter, death is random.

I don’t want to drag down my fellow riders in rhetorical “what ifs”, but please everyone, dress properly for riding, practice your skills, and ride with vigilance. Having said that, I’m going out for a ride, but I will have Paul on my mind. RIP my friend.