Just by sheer luck I got to ride with my cycling buddy for the first time in over a year and a half tonight. Some of you might recall my cycling buddy was hit by a car while riding Thanksgiving 2008. He also just recently lost his wife. His bad leg is still not working properly but he's a very determined individual and enjoys riding more than just about anyone I know.

He's been doing some very short rides at a very slow pace just trying to get accustomed to being back on the road. Tonight just 3 of us showed up for our Tuesday/Thursday night ride and he was one of them. He was very hesitant to ride with us as he felt like he'd really slow us down. We said we'd see how it went and took off.

I can't tell you how much fun it was. It was one of the most enjoyable rides I've done in years. Just being out on the road and enjoying the company was more than I can describe. It was if we had just ridden a few days ago instead of 18 months.

He did an incredible job. Just amazing. We wound up doing about 30 miles and averaged about 16 mph. While it's far short of the 19-21 mph we used to do together it was plenty fast enough. After climbing a pretty tough hill and his heart rate being maxed and feeling like it was going to jump out of his chest he had a huge smile on his face. We talked about how there is just no substitute for being able to get a workout "on the road versus a trainer".

He was always a very powerful climber and now is basically climbing using one leg. Just an amazing guy. It's was so terrific to see that smile again.