Sometimes it feels like life is moving very slowly. But today it feels like the last year rushed on by us.
One year ago today Karel received the heartbreaking news from his brother in Czech that his dad suddenly passed away from COVID. It was shocking news as it all happened so quickly. Like many people, we continue to mourn the loss of a loved family member and the separation of Karel's family on the other side of the Atlantic only adds to the grief and sadness. Coping with loss is difficult but this pandemic adds to the emotional hardship. Karel was not able to travel to Czech for the funeral service due to a country lockdown. No family hugs, sharing of memories or celebration of life. Instead, Karel and I watched the funeral online from our kitchen.
It's been said that exercise will not extinguish grief but it can help ease the grieving process.
Although Karel and his dad didn't have the same point of view on certain topics and issues, they both shared a very strong love for cycling. Three of our four visits to Czech were during the airing of the Tour de France. It was the highlight of the year for Karel's dad to watch a few stages of the race on TV with Karel. They spent hours talking about the riders, bikes, technology and race tactics.
While Karel and his dad both shared a strong passion and competitive spirit for cycling, they both shared a love of the bicycle. Enamored with all things bike, much of the memories between father and son involved cycling. Karel's dad loved hearing about our triathlon events and always wanted to know the details of Karel's "current" race bike and training.
As with any bike aficionado, Karel has an extensive bike collection. Along with a triathlon bike and road bike, Karel has recently added a gravel and mountain bike to his collection. Unfortunately, Karel's dad never got to hear about all of the off-road adventures that Karel has been on over the past year.
Between us both, we have 8 bikes (4 bikes each) that we can ride outside. And nothing makes us happier than being outside on a bike. Whether it's shredding on the single track, riding on gravel, road biking in a group or feeling the aerodynamic benefits of the triathlon bike, cycling has been a source of therapy. When Karel is on his bike, he doesn't feel the stress of training for a race. He feels joy, excitement and happiness as bike riding has always been a passion that was shared with his dad.
Cycling can be a dangerous sport but we haven't let the fear stop us from creating so many memories on two wheels. Thankfully we live in a very bike friendly community where we can truly enjoy the benefits of having a bike - like seeing new sights, climbing mountains, feeling the exhilaration of descending at high speeds and connected with friends on two wheels. For Karel's dad, there was no indoor riding. Maybe an occasion or two of riding on the rollers. But he either rode outside or he didn't. Only in his very late years of masters bike racing did Karel's dad get on a trainer (a very sh!tty one Karel says) but only very occasionally. To Karel's dad, the bike was meant to be outside. The appreciation that Karel's dad had for the bike has helped to awaken Karel's love of outdoor adventure (hence the additional two bikes to the collection for off-road riding).
Karel's dad had such a strong impact on his life. The unassuming bicycle has great power for mental health and well-being.
The simple act of building and riding bikes keeps his father's memory alive....all for the love of the bike.
One year ago today Karel received the heartbreaking news from his brother in Czech that his dad suddenly passed away from COVID. It was shocking news as it all happened so quickly. Like many people, we continue to mourn the loss of a loved family member and the separation of Karel's family on the other side of the Atlantic only adds to the grief and sadness. Coping with loss is difficult but this pandemic adds to the emotional hardship. Karel was not able to travel to Czech for the funeral service due to a country lockdown. No family hugs, sharing of memories or celebration of life. Instead, Karel and I watched the funeral online from our kitchen.
It's been said that exercise will not extinguish grief but it can help ease the grieving process.
Although Karel and his dad didn't have the same point of view on certain topics and issues, they both shared a very strong love for cycling. Three of our four visits to Czech were during the airing of the Tour de France. It was the highlight of the year for Karel's dad to watch a few stages of the race on TV with Karel. They spent hours talking about the riders, bikes, technology and race tactics.
While Karel and his dad both shared a strong passion and competitive spirit for cycling, they both shared a love of the bicycle. Enamored with all things bike, much of the memories between father and son involved cycling. Karel's dad loved hearing about our triathlon events and always wanted to know the details of Karel's "current" race bike and training.
As with any bike aficionado, Karel has an extensive bike collection. Along with a triathlon bike and road bike, Karel has recently added a gravel and mountain bike to his collection. Unfortunately, Karel's dad never got to hear about all of the off-road adventures that Karel has been on over the past year.
Between us both, we have 8 bikes (4 bikes each) that we can ride outside. And nothing makes us happier than being outside on a bike. Whether it's shredding on the single track, riding on gravel, road biking in a group or feeling the aerodynamic benefits of the triathlon bike, cycling has been a source of therapy. When Karel is on his bike, he doesn't feel the stress of training for a race. He feels joy, excitement and happiness as bike riding has always been a passion that was shared with his dad.
Cycling can be a dangerous sport but we haven't let the fear stop us from creating so many memories on two wheels. Thankfully we live in a very bike friendly community where we can truly enjoy the benefits of having a bike - like seeing new sights, climbing mountains, feeling the exhilaration of descending at high speeds and connected with friends on two wheels. For Karel's dad, there was no indoor riding. Maybe an occasion or two of riding on the rollers. But he either rode outside or he didn't. Only in his very late years of masters bike racing did Karel's dad get on a trainer (a very sh!tty one Karel says) but only very occasionally. To Karel's dad, the bike was meant to be outside. The appreciation that Karel's dad had for the bike has helped to awaken Karel's love of outdoor adventure (hence the additional two bikes to the collection for off-road riding).
Karel's dad had such a strong impact on his life. The unassuming bicycle has great power for mental health and well-being.
The simple act of building and riding bikes keeps his father's memory alive....all for the love of the bike.