give me shelter

So, this isn't necessarily team news and I know that I am behind on reporting some of the recent happenings with Team Sonic-Treehouse Racing. Still, I thought that this was worthy of report.

Tonight was my first night ride of the winter riding season and also my first intentional night ride in Maryville, TN, my home of 4 months now. The night air was cool and the sky was slightly darkened by a thin covering of clouds - no moon to light the way this ride. I kitted up in my garage, applying several blinkies to my bike, 1 obnoxious strobing red light to the rear of my jersey and a magnificently luminous head lamp worthy of a New York Harbor tug. Being seen is the name of the game here. After airing up my tires I hopped on my bike hoping that traffic would be minimal and understanding. It didn't take long for me to remember why I so loved riding in the dark. There is a stillness to the earth and an aloneness that seems to embrace you in a way that reaffirms your belief that this, cycling, is your true calling. No sooner had I silently waxed on about the rejuvenating stillness than an 18-wheeler overloaded with hay flew by me, horn blaring, forcing me off the road to wash the dust out of my eyes and mouth. Sh*t...it's going to be this kind of ride, eh? I almost turned around to head home, content to survive the night, though, stubborn, I decided to head on.

Maybe 2 minutes down the road another car, more high-beams, tailing, WTF'ing...frustration. I turned onto Old Walland Hwy, hoping the lights would continue straight but they hesitated and followed...and followed...I waved, motioning them around and they proceeded to follow. A number of things ran through my head as I turned I made turn after turn only to be followed each time by the same washed out yellow lights. Finally, after about an hour of this, I came to an intersection and stopped, unclipped and circled back to find a smoking 30-something woman staring out a half open window, apologizing for 'freaking me out'. She said that she saw me out there in the dark and was worried that someone was going to hit me, so she just decided to follow me to keep me in the light. I was so surprised at first that I barely managed a thank you. I chatted with her for another minute or two, telling her that how appreciative I was for her generosity and patience but that I was more than comfortable out there and that it would be quite alright for her to head home. She would have none of it.

That lady followed me for about 2 hours tonight, hazards warning those who came from behind of my presence and high-beams on to make sure that I could see the road ahead. She said that a friend had done the same for her when she was learning to ride her motorcycle and that this would be her good deed for the day. Every single one of us, cyclists, triathletes, runners....all of us whose training grounds double as roads...we've all had countless encounters with cursing mad maniacs who spit and yell and throw garbage, but how many of us have had an experience like this one? An amazingly positive encounter with someone who had absolutely no reason to offer me kindness and protection. Sometimes the most surprising and humbling kindness comes when you least expect it....when you most need it.

My chain-smoking guardian angel....Joanna, wherever you are, I am grateful.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,

Luke