So I've been 'bringing along' a noob riding partner for once a week relaxed rides, 20-40 miles. He talks like he's been avoiding athletic activities his entire life, he's 60ish now. I've been encouraging him, suggesting to him he could develop a real talent for distance rides; and he needs to stay off the damn couch and get control of his fitness level. Several months of riding, no drama, great attitude, great conversations, and I've been watching his gut shrink and him having fun.

Sigh, the other day he rides up along side me, bounces off like he's doing a track shove, crashes and falls hard at 8mph. The verdict is broken hip, surgery, he's using a walker. He's says he's done riding bicycles, ...forever. And, he means it.

My thought afterwards is some people are naturally drawn to athletic activities, some just aren't..and there may be a good reason why that's so. You can push, you can encourage, you can try to protect them, but the day is going to come when you just are left thinking... really, what the eff was that all about? And, then you feel quilty for the carnage they do to themselves. Sigh.