Farewell to Cycling

by Anatole Shamson

Nothing in the Universe lasts forever: even stars extinguish their energy and die. The Sun will eventually exhaust its nuclear fuel. In the very end, the sun will be enlarged to a size equal to it's distance to the Earth. It will be the end of our planet. But all earth species, human included, will be extinct by then.

In our micro-nano space each individual comes to the end of something he was occupied with, cycling included.

• In 2006, being 80 years old, I rode 1600 miles (Indiana's TRIRI was the last bike tour).
• In 2007, after total hip replacement and several crashes which resulted in incurable muscle injuries, my riding reduced to 400 miles, not more than 25 at a time.
• This year, I must say good by to GOBA and reduce my cycling to recreational rides around my residential area.
• Farewell to biking tours, to the excitement of climbing hills and the joy of descents.
• Farewell to nights in tents and camaraderie on the roads.

But no regrets: I had biked for 30 years and covered a distance equal to the equator's twice. Check www.vrmill.com/photography for my web site to see the countries I have visited and places where I've hiked and biked.

I was expecting to die on a road, but it looks like I will die in bed.

ALL THE BEST AND GO ON.

Editors Note: Anatole has been a member since the `80's and was a regular participant on COP bike rides, including 15 GOBAs. He hiked and bike on all continents, except Africa and Antarctica. He will be missed.

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