Taking a break for awhile...(warning: long and sad)

[DeniseGoldberg]

Emily -
I'm really sorry to hear about your dad. I hope that your good memories of him help comfort you, although I know that a memory is a sad replacement for someone you love. My thoughts are with you.

On the cycling front - please don't give it up. You're right, there are dangers in it, but there are really dangers in just about everything that we do. I often ride on roads without shoulders - and I ride as far into the driving lane as I need to be to feel safe. I am far enough out that the drivers know that they need to pull around me, although I do ride as close to the right side of the road as I feel I can be. I have no idea whether that helps or not. If you love cycling as much as I do - and I sense that you do - please don't let yourself get scared away from it. Of course the most important thing is to listen to yourself, and if you need a break from cycling - take it. Hopefully some day in the future it will feel right to you again.

--- Denise