This day did not go as planned.
Starting with a middle of the night wake-up call from a sick Corgi that ended up canceling my plans for a half-century ride to the South Bay; she needed me home to look out for her more than I needed to ride.
And trust me, I needed to ride.
That was followed by an unexpected call from a reporter for KABC-7, who was picking up the story of 18-year old hit-and-run victim David Alexander Granatos, and wanted to interview me as part of it.
And while I appreciate the LA Weekly giving me a heads-up about their story reporting on the hit-and-run — really, I do — it would have meant more if I hadn’t already been reporting on it all week, in significantly more detail.
But I’m glad they covered it, just as I’m glad they did a much better job of reporting on hit-and-run victim Damian Kevitt — the cyclist who lost a leg, and may lose another, after he was dragged nearly 600 feet onto the I-5 Freeway by a fleeing driver — and putting it in context of the larger issue of cowardly drivers who refuse to take responsibility for the devastation they cause.
And I’m just as grateful that KNBC-4 and KABC-7 both reported on tonight’s Critical Mass, which was dedicated to Kevitt and rode past his hospital room.
Meanwhile, the more I learn about Granatos, the more heartbreaking it gets, as I find myself mourning a young man I never knew.
And now, never will.
Good Friday, for me, is always a maudlin day at best.
One calling for introspection and acknowledgement of just how far I stray at times from the man I choose to be.
Which is why I usually try to spend as much of it on my bike as I can. Because it’s there that my thoughts are clearest, I am most at peace and feel closest to God. If only because L.A. drivers threaten to make me that much closer to meeting him.
All of which is a long way of explaining why there was no update tonight.
Instead, allow me to offer my best wishes for a happy Easter and a blessed Passover, both of which are acknowledged in our mixed faith home. Even if the last few years have left me feeling like God’s favorite.
Or whatever you observe, even if it’s just a lovely weekend.
And hopefully, a great ride or two.
As for the Corgi, she seems to be doing much better.
Fingers crossed.
I just discovered your blog and enjoyed reading it. Great job. I was amazed by the dog on a bike trailer. I ride my bikes in and near Albany and Jacksonville, Oregon. And every other year or so around Newport Beach, CA.
Every day that I ride, I know there is a small chance that I will die. I’ve made my peace with that: death will come when it comes. But the story about Mr Kevitt has put the fear back in to me. I now have a fear of cycling that I never had before. That something like that could happen and have the victim survive — that’s a scenario I never considered.
Very good blog post. I definitely love this site. Continue the good work!