Oh Captain, my Captain

I am not posting this in response to Georgia's wonderful description of her stoker - I have been thinking about doing this for some time. She has been an inspiration on a bicycle to me since before we were married. I remember following her up South Mountain in my van on one of her trips to Arizona. I was amazed by her stamina and determination as she was pedaling up a steep part of the road near the top of the mountain. She has continued to amaze me on ride after ride in the 3+ years we have been married.

She has said a long ride or any difficult ride is 90% mental and 10% physical. She has the 90% down pat and inspires me to pull up my attitude whenever we are together - cycling or otherwise. She has helped me learn a little more about my own physical and mental reserves as we have ridden over the last several weeks. I was able to ride longer and up hills I never would have attempted before. My endurance surprised me, but amazingly it never surprised her.

So here we are at the end of this particular adventure. How can I describe her? She is just amazing!! She keeps on going, even if I tell her that today's ride is 70 miles - she says, "Okay, let's get going." Hills/mountains do not phase her - she just keeps on going. She continues to be my inspiration.

I am so grateful to have her in my life, helping me to try new things and challenging me to find out just how much I am capable of. I haven't subscribed to her mantra that "hills are our friends" but I don't face them with the same dread that I have in the past.

Thank you Sweetheart, I love You!!