To some Westporters, yesterday’s Bloomin’ Metric bike tour was a chance for a great ride along a beautiful route.
For some drivers, it meant inconvenient delays as they shared the roads with cyclists.
For Joyce Bottone, it was a heart-warming — and teachable — event. She writes:
When I went to hang out with my 90-year-old mom (Paulette Weibel) yesterday, I found her sitting at the end of her Bayberry Lane driveway, cheering on the cyclists.
That’s when I realized, once again, how revealing and real my mom truly is. She’s part of a dying, lost generation.
Having lived here my whole life, I’ve seen the world change. I would be the first to complain about the large groups of cyclists riding 3 wide, slowing down my day.
But my mom — if she were still driving — would drive slowly behind, not too close, until a suitable time emerged and she had ample room to pass.
But she doesn’t drive. So instead she cheered everyone on.
In return they all seemed truly thankful, and wished her a nice day. How nice to see that compassion for others still exists.
Brava!
I saw her out there yesterday, while I was driving by all the cyclists and I saw your mom sitting there smiling. It made me smile. It got me to reflect on my aging parents and how my mom would enjoy sitting out there watching all of the cyclists go by! We need to remember the good times and not always feel inconvenienced or stressed. Thanks for sharing this piece with us!
Joyce:
You are lucky woman. Thanks for sharing.
great perspective – I was cursing the cyclists…..
This was my fifth time riding in the Bloomin Metric run by Sound Cyclists. They do a great job with this event. i rode with people who came from as far away as New Jersey and Long Island. Bayberry Lane is towards the end of the ride and it was awesome to have a cheering section there as I pushed through the final miles (well, kilometers!).
Great post Joyce!
Correction: metric rather than imperial?
Thanks Mike. happy Belated Birthday!
Kilometres are a marathoner’s best friend since they fly by faster than miles! Why is this event called “metric”?
Oops! My last comment was not meant for Mr. Calise, rather a correction of my own. Live and learn.
Bravo Pauline, that’s a spirit !
A reader writes: “For people wondering: it’s called a “metric” because it’s a Metric Century ride – 100 km (about 62 miles) was the longest route. (An imperial century, or just a Century ride, is 100 miles – about 161 km.) Bloomin’ (spring time) Metric = spring time 100 km route.”