57…

Today, these boys rode 57 miles on what used to be country roads.

The pic above was taken in Johnstown, the sleepiest of towns until Intel decided to move in. It’s now home to more massive cranes than are in Columbus. Data centers dominate what was pure farm land. The last time we took this route was back on March 27, 2021. We never got past Red Bank Road, as yours truly had a heart attack while sitting in a similar sized group of friends. Downer (dude in white and blue jersey), Littlest (yellow jersey in back) and Brother Mick (red jersey) were the only three with me that day and this. Farmer hasn’t ridden with us since that day. Grappy only a couple times. Peej (dude taking pic) now pulls us around almost the entire time. Jmo (Donatos jersey) is back riding with us.

And, of course, there’s Blondie (dude in orange). These are my cycling friends. Many are also 3PP gang. We do hard things together. Camaraderie of suffering bonds. We wait for each other now. We laugh more. We tell the same stories and they seem to get better with age. We’re slower, heavier, and older. We’re growing old but not tired together. Together we transform. Always together. Who, friend, makes you do what you can?

Live hard. Love harder…