With a 25 mile ride to work to be on the floor for 6 am rounds, I declined going out with my mom for a ride the night before. It was odd that she still wasn't home when I got up at 5 ...
One of my patients had the radio on, or maybe it was at the Nurse's Station? All I remember now is the panic I felt hearing that a motorcyclist had been killed on Route 209 the night before, "name with held pending notification of family"!
It was almost 6:30 ... if she wasn't home yet, rounds be damned! She answered the phone, concerned as I burst out crying with relief! She hadn't heard. She didn't know who. The crew she was with had all stopped for breakfast before going home.
We found out later, it was one of "ours", George. He was one of the most skilled riders among us, always playing it straight, with plans to become a NY State Trooper. Would practice splitting lanes have helped him find a way out? There is no way of knowing. Though time seems to stand still in these instances, that moment of disbelief takes all the reaction time there is!
George's nemesis was a drunk driver who failed to turn the lights of his dump truck on. Nearly 40 years later, I think of him every time I drive over that spot. There are too many spots like that now, memories of people who are no longer with us.
I am one of the few of our old crew who still rides. Many of the racers never took to the road, "too dangerous", they would say. If we define danger as death, then yes, maybe. Yet, death will find us each in our time, no matter what we do.
Be not immobilized by fear. Be cautious. Be aware. Ride safe. Most of all, stay in touch with those you care about and share your affection! Tomorrow may be too late.
One of my patients had the radio on, or maybe it was at the Nurse's Station? All I remember now is the panic I felt hearing that a motorcyclist had been killed on Route 209 the night before, "name with held pending notification of family"!
It was almost 6:30 ... if she wasn't home yet, rounds be damned! She answered the phone, concerned as I burst out crying with relief! She hadn't heard. She didn't know who. The crew she was with had all stopped for breakfast before going home.
We found out later, it was one of "ours", George. He was one of the most skilled riders among us, always playing it straight, with plans to become a NY State Trooper. Would practice splitting lanes have helped him find a way out? There is no way of knowing. Though time seems to stand still in these instances, that moment of disbelief takes all the reaction time there is!
George's nemesis was a drunk driver who failed to turn the lights of his dump truck on. Nearly 40 years later, I think of him every time I drive over that spot. There are too many spots like that now, memories of people who are no longer with us.
I am one of the few of our old crew who still rides. Many of the racers never took to the road, "too dangerous", they would say. If we define danger as death, then yes, maybe. Yet, death will find us each in our time, no matter what we do.
Be not immobilized by fear. Be cautious. Be aware. Ride safe. Most of all, stay in touch with those you care about and share your affection! Tomorrow may be too late.