Alison and the Monster

Alison is a teacher who has taught both of my kids as they made their way through elementary school.
Now that I think about it, we have known each other for seven years. We both have daughters who are the same age, are sports oriented and are pretty easy going. We became friendly while my daughter was in her class, but I believe we became friends a year later when my son was a student.

When the school year began we had many phone calls regarding my son’s creations during instruction time (eraser people come to mind). It was not awkward at all to switch from friend/friend conversation to teacher/parent and then back again. Through the laughs, we came up with strategies to get him to focus.

When spring rolled around it was time to get my bike on the road to train for the Tour de Cure ride. Alison had a student that year with diabetes and we decided to train together and help support them.

We rode quite often trying to get miles into our legs to prepare for the 50 mile route we had picked to conquer in a month’s time. At the time, we rode quite a bit with my coach Casey, especially the long rides that brought us through farmlands and horse farms. We had so much fun training for this ride that we continued our treks through the summer with a goal to ride a century in the fall. My husband joined us and while we chose to do a metric century (62 miles) we got lost with a few other riders and ended up finishing the day with 75 miles when all said and done.

The following year things changed. My husband, Alison and I went on a training ride and I talked my coach into coming with us. Initially, he did not want to go, but I convinced him that it was too nice of a day not come out with us. We started out from his house and were on our way to a nice ride around a lake and through farm country- one of my favorite routes. I had just rolled up to him and said “Now, aren’t you glad you came?” “Yes” was his reply. My husband and Alison were up ahead so I left Casey’s side to catch up with them. Then time became very slow & surreal. Coming toward us was a SUV, in my left peripheral vision I see a basketball and a dog running after it. I hear something weird and turn back to look and then I hear the moans. Casey is on the ground. I turn around and sprint back to him and it is not good. I scream up ahead to Alison and my husband and they are soon by my side. He had hit the basketball and crashed, half on the 2” high lip of the road and half in the grass. Thank goodness the head hit the grass, but the hip was not as lucky as it hit the lip of the pavement and was broken. I rode in the ambulance with Casey and visited him daily as he recuperated. I was so guilt ridden that it was very hard for me to get back on my bike. I did, but I wasn’t the same and I kind of started to withdrawal from that experience.

Alison and I continued to train with one another, but as time passed I started to find that I would not go out as often or at all when she would call. Our rides became very sporadic and eventually we stopped riding together. My bike just hung on the rack in the garage and I began to pull from a friendship. Both ridiculous, but true.

I nicknamed my bike ‘The Monster’. It is silver, red and black and I feel powerful when I’m on it. Monster has brought me over many miles and has been a faithful companion. I know it was not happy just hanging around and not eating road. Actually, I was not happy with the hanging around.

This summer, my position at work was furloughed and I have been able to spend much needed quality time with my family. It has been wonderful. I have also had the chance to reconnect with Alison and my bike. I’ve missed both of them.

One thing about a true friend is that no matter how much time has passed between visits or conversations the next time you are together it is like nothing has changed. The comfortable feelings come back, stories emerge and happiness sets in to your soul. Alison is definitely in this category and I have missed hanging out with her. We have started riding again and have gone on some old familiar routes, but have explored new ones as well.

We recently took a spin to a local country store that has been converted into a deli/restaurant. The trip was a new route for me and it was fun. This area is very quaint and we both discussed how much we enjoy small town Americana. Everyone waves as you pass by, homegrown gardens that are overflowing are shared with the public on roadside stands with a bucket for your money- an old-fashioned honor system. It gives one that feeling of being home.

Getting back on the Monster and spending time with an old friend has brought me back home.