If you had asked me in the beginning of this trip why I was riding my bike across the country this summer, I probably would have given you a generic answer; probably something about affordable housing, trying to stay in shape for rowing, adventure, etc... I would have told you that every day I couldn't wait to get back on the road, and ride with my new best friends and discover new places with no fear at all of what the day had in store for me.
If you asked me now, since the recent death of Paige Hicks, my answer would be a little different. I am no longer fearless on the road, but I'm not afraid to ride. I'm uncomfortable sometimes, but I try to keep myself safe, and hope for the best. I still look forward to riding with the people who I consider to be more like family than friends at this point, but I worry about their safety. When we roll out in the morning, I never quite get comfortable again until I see the last people coast into our new host location. I have faith that we will all be fine, but I'm still anxious until I know everyone is ok.
I still ride for affordable housing, and I'm still riding to stay in shape for crew, and I still crave the adventure every day. But if you asked me what I'm riding for now, I'd tell you that I'm riding for my friends and for my family. I'm riding for those who have supported me both monetarily and with their thoughts and prayers. I'm riding for fellow SC2SC riders and the other 223 B&Bers I haven't even met. I'm riding for P2S because I can't even imagine what you guys are going through right now, and this is the only way I know how to support all of you. I'm riding for you, Paige, because it's what you would have wanted. I pray for the safety for all of the B&Bers past, present and future. We will never forget Paige, even those of us who never had the privilege of knowing her personally. We ride in her honor. In the words of the great Billy Joel, "Only the good die young."
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