Read all the posts in this thread. My training partner and I met cycling several years ago, neither of us knew each other rode. I can't imagine not being able to send a text in the evening saying "5:30 am?" And getting a " yeah!" back. A training partner eggs you on, pitches you crap, nods knowingly and shuts up when you hurt but is always there. Mine has medical issues, breaks my heart. I'm always getting dropped on the hills but I win every sprint.

I farmed and worked full time off the farm till '99. That kept me lean and strong. After nearly a decade of power walking, hiking, yet developing joint & heart issues, a friends constant yammering about cycling rekindled my long dormant love of the bike. Now I've four (plus 3 "family" bikes). Locally I'm known now as a "serious" cyclist...even though I'm a long ways from most of the fit BF'ers. If I don't ride...I feel like crap. I've dropped 20, going to drop 20 more. If I lost my training partner I'd be crushed. I'd soldier on but miss the memories.