He didn’t really want to be awake at this hour, but it was the only way. Or one of them, at least. Because he wanted to spend more time with her, he would rise before the sun, making use of the small window between their entwined slumber and the dirge of another day at the office. But still she saw those stolen hours as time he could be spending in her company. She never said it, but he knew…
He didn’t want to give her up, nor the bike. Why should he have to choose? He loved them both, of course, in different ways. She never asked him to make a choice, she knew how much it meant to him, and she knew how much he meant to her, and her to him. There would never be one or the other. There never could. He would always be shared between her and the bike, though in the literal sense, he truly only loved her. In some strange way, she felt lucky for this.
He had made concessions, a ride conveniently forgotten, waylaid, postponed. Still, it seemed to her that he was always flitting off to the trails, always managing to squeeze in another loop. There was never enough time in the day, he would lament. Always tired, both of them. His energy used for the ride, legs and back dully aching, mentally drained, too fatigued to do anything but sleep.
They were not interested in fighting. I don’t want to fight, she said. He didn’t want to either. Rather than fight, they simply wouldn’t talk. When he told her that he could never give up his bicycle to another man, her reaction was one of bemusement. It’s just a bike, she said. His contemptuous retort indicated otherwise; he would never give her up to another man, it’s just not done. Same with the bicycle.
She accepted, if not understood. How could he compare her to a bicycle? He couldn’t, she was the most important part of his puzzle, one that had taken an age to find all the right pieces and fit them together. Some pieces could be interchanged, but not that one. She never wanted to be a Velomiwidow. He would see to it that she wasn’t.
Flesh and blood, steel and rubber, heart and soul.
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Long suffering wife at my end also.
Never complains, always ferry's kids to dance and swimming on the nights I have local after work rides and Sunday's.
I can also tell that she doesnt quite "get it" but none the less accepts that after neck injury, the bike is the only sport left for me from a life full of almost every sport.
For that, I love her even more !!
Well written piece and rings true on many levels.
Nice writing, Brett!
Thankfully, I put together my stable before I got married, less oversight that way. However, 1.5 years in, the Velomissus is very understanding and knows cycling (and other exercise) keeps me balanced and happy. Another good thing is that I had my heaviest riding years a few years back, now am more balanced with work, cycling, time together. I'm okay riding less, as other parts have gotten better.
Wedding anniversary for me = June 17. Not bad!
Also, I loved from Half Man, Half Machine how Fotheringham explained that the language used for the Merckxian vows was a huge issue in Belgium - who can stake claim to Eddy?
@piwakawaka
YES! Well said and great thought process! I fear the day of maybe turning her down once too often and then she doesn't bother to ask anymore.
Very well written, Brett. Chapeau!
Mrs. KW spent this entire summer as a VMW. After I rode my first century in early September, she decided she wanted to start riding. Last weekend, we bought her first road bike. (I got a new bike out of the deal too!) Now she's thinking more and more about riding, lamenting the ever shorter days of fall.
She is slowly but surely making the transition to being my VMH, and I couldn't be happier about it.
@MJ Moquin
Ha! This also happens to me as well! My amazingly lovely VMH will say, "When was the last time you rode? Why don't you head out for one?" That's when I know that I am being an a$$ around the house!
Ummm... Woohoo single guys! (?)
@Gianni Agreed. Ironically, my VMW has become a frequent ride companion this summer. Having no prior riding experience she logged over 5000k this summer and we shared many of those rides. It was fantastic and I would often ride with the 'go-fasters" later the same day. The highlight was recently I took her out to show her the local 'wall' (18% grade) and upon seeing it, she promptly proceeded to ride up it!! Never so proud!
Yes, exactly... only change "her company" to "her & the kids company". Still I am always home for breakfast, even if Saturday is later (8am) but yes, it works.
@wiscot
No one's even holding that one in the rear. It's actually a halo.
@brett
Nice bit of prose, there, mate. Made me feel yet more gratitude for my relationship with my second and forever spouse. So unlike my old days, which still haunt me even though they feel like a lifetime ago and kind of were.
@zwigli
Ohmygod how sweet is that?! Great post and great photo.