To My Brother Paul

What makes a man your brother?

To love and respect just like a brother?

A brother is a friend,

On whom you can depend,

To see you as you are,

With every blemish and scar,

But always has the ability,

To see you as you want to be!

Thank you Paul!

Sincerely, Micky Dee

TREASURE YOUR FRIENDS!

I was introduced to Yuki Kajiura by Freya Cesare here on hubpages. I thought I'd try another by Yuki because the music can be very nice while reading the page. So- I chose this music almost totally by the title: Fatigue!

I received an email from the man whose wheels I'll be riding on Monday in the "Assault On Mount Mitchell".

Whatever my "time" will be on this my 30th Assault- it is already "written". It's a hundred plus miles and 11,000 ft. of accumulated climbing. Whatever - it's a long enough day.

Whatever difficulty I have is already recorded.

I will try to block out and shake out pain as it comes.

I will shake my arm from time to time to alleviate that pain.

I'll bob my head up and down for the nerve and pain in my neck.

I'll twist my torso and grab a point around my right hip to alleviate the pain there.

I'll even ride a little side-saddle to alleviate the pain from the saddle-sore I've developed.

To finish is to succeed. Whether I succeed is irrelevant. But- as always -I'll give it my best shot.

There is much reverence that I take into this ride.

I get a little more spiritually heavy at this time of the year.I feel like I'm facing a struggle. I may even feel very mortal as this test approaches. I have no idea why. I've done this actual ride 29 times. I've "done the ride" a week before the ride. I rode the equivalent of this ride twice a week for six weeks "before the ride".

On Monday I ride a hard ride that, really, I've ridden a thousand times or the equal. I'll not sleep Sunday night. I'm rested I guess or I anticipate.

But is it my "New Year"? Is this where I try to let last year's sins go and make new resolutions?

I feel more like saying something to everyone, to atone to everyone, that I have not been as good as I needed to be! I'm sorry if I've hurt someone. I'm sorry "when" I've offended someone. Because at the heart of my hearts, I want to live in peace and I want YOU to have peace and all that is good for you.

I want to live the Golden Rule. So - do not be concerned with my finish or success on this day of sport. There are important fish to fry.

Pray this prayer to the Father no matter what belief or what non-belief:

Our Father, which art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be done,in earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive them that trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power, and the glory,for ever and ever. Amen.

And - let's hope that "thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven".

But here is the email sent to me:

"Hi Michael

What is it? 3 more days and you are on a journey to keep the record of Mitchell completions moving out of anyone’s reach. Good for you! I rode in the Ride of Silence yesterday as we remembered those who have been killed and injured by motorist this past year. Slowly getting reacquainted with my bike and enjoying it. Shooting for Bridge to Bridge this fall so the miles need to start adding up.

I started thinking about you and this tribute started to form in my mind. By no means am I a writer or poet. My humble effort to honor you first and your accomplishment second."

A thousand clicks

Shoes engaging with pedals

Sun and horizon split

Many are determined to show their mettle

As the morning light glows

A human mass, disappearing in the light, flows.

In the morning mist

A rider glides along

Touching his saddle like a gentle kiss

Giving words of encouragement to the silent throng

A warm spirit of a man with ambitions of his own

Remembering days past when these roads were his throne.

Up ahead a cyclist on the side of the road

A look of despair on his face as the crowd passes by

The rider is in a fast group taking on his load

Sharing the work when he hears the cyclist cry

About a broken chain and the lost training hours

No one pays attention, helping is beyond their power.

The rider slows knowing what he must do

The fast group leaves him behind as he gives up his ambitions

To help a fellow cyclist he knows no better than me or you

He gives up the thoughts of glory without contrition

Knowing now his task of finishing will become cruel

Yet he is a man that lives by the golden rule

The road goes on as he ponders his fate

He enters the cave of pain on the relentless climb

Mt. Mitchell is ahead still on his plate

Alone on the parkway as the pain shrouds his mind

For stopping to help a rider he must pay the price

The road is a mirage and making it to the end a role of dice.

The rider’s spirit is larger than life and a treasure

Shining through the mountain haze

A determination beyond measure

The rider climbs the last curves of the maze

Finishing the ride with grace an honor

A tribute to the spirit, giving us all something to ponder.

Take Care and best wishes for a successful Assault.

Paul

Wow Sir! Wow Sir!
I'm blown away Sir!
I'm bawling here!
God bless you Paul!
That's one of the prettiest, nicest things that's ever been said about me.
Thank you Brother Paul!
God bless you Sir!

_______________________________________________________________

Kinds words go a long way! Share a few today!

I was blown away! I haven't performed to my capabilities at times. I second guess and wonder why?

I'd like to be seen as Paul sees me. People say I've helped them before, during, and after events. I forget. I'd like to be remembered as the guy who stopped while riding in the lead pack over Bill's Hill to help a young man who most probably was doing his first Assault on Mt. Mitchell. I had two repair links for a chain. He had a broken chain. I had a conscience. Thank You Lord for a conscience and thank You for allowing Paul to see "what I want to be".

On one Assault On Mount Mitchell a rider came from the far right side of the road. His front wheel barely grazed my rear wheel. He went down hard at 25 mph. If he and other s watched, they may have seen me not stop, but sprint away from the fallen rider. That's not the end of a sordid tale. I didn't sprint away from the fallen rider. I sprinted to a motor-cycle ride "monitor/official"! He had a radio. He had a motor. We were already going 25 which was "enough". To go faster taxes. But if one saw "one" side of what happened they may draw the wrong conclusion.

On one "Assault" my friend Chris, a much stronger rider, had to stop and pee. I sprinted away from him as he pulled off the road. What would you think? I got to the front of the pack and slowed the pack down so that Chris could catch up easier. That got me in the picture of the first rider to Lake Lure. I was only slowing the pack down on the down hill. This was the "long Mitchell year, 117 miles. I was only slowing people down for Chris.

So- many times I'm not seen as good as I'm trying to be. Thank all of you who see me as I want to be.

Many people wish me well. Many of you on the hubs here. I feel it.

Thanks!

Cycling-May 12, 2010 Union Groovin' and Mebane Espressin'

Cycling-May 9, 2010-Hillsborough To Yanceyville-79 Miles

Cycling-May 5, 2010-A Ode to-Union Groovin' To Saxapahaw!

Cycling-May 2, 2010-Raven Rock Ramble-107 miles

April 23, 24, 2010 Carrboro Tarwheels and The Bicycle Wheel Of Adam O'Neil

An Ode To Three Possums In The Middle Of The Road

April 20, 2010 Jose Is Back! Back In The Saddle! Back On The Bike! Back!

April 18, 2010 Hillsbros Playtex Cycling Team-Gets Juice-61 Hard Miles

April 17, 2010 Solo Ride, Tarwheels Ride, Solo, Time Trial, No TT, Solo

April 10, 2010-Two Rides-97 Miles But It Felt Like 98

April 7, 2010 Union Groovin' To Saxapahaw, Carolina Tar-wheels Meet Miami Biking

Gang and Buena Vista Social Club

March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010 Bike Rides-Carolina Tarwheels

What Happened To Wednesday's Ride? 01-12-10

March 2010-Almost Spring Bike Rides-Plus On The Road Bike Repair Tips

Marquis de Sade-Bob Scofield's Ride 2010

The Playtex Cycling Team

I'm Dreaming Of A White Bike Ride

12-14-09 Solo-Stereo-Winter-Ride

12/03/09 Cycling Photos and A Lesson On Photo Repair

Mickey's Favorite Bicycle "Descending" Videos

Mountain Biking Unaka

You are a great, gentle, generous spirit. Joan and I recall our first stay at the Inn. We were new to cycling. You made certain we were taken care of and provided us with excellent routes. You have always been kind and supportive to us. Our days at the Inn, riding with you, are memories we will always cherish!

Best wishes for Mitchell. May you have a day when you feel like you have “no chain”.

Take care Brother Michael.

Paul

Paul, may the wind be at your back and you feel "no chain"!

Thank you Brother Paul!

Michael

Yo Everybody! I'll be assaulting a mountain until some time Monday. I'll bring back some pictures I hope- but it's supposed to rain! No pics in the rain!

I'll leave you with this "tip of the day"! - Always make sure that you grab the "triple biotic ointment" and never assume that you have it unless you can read! AND never use an "analgesic balm" on a pressure sore! Yikes! It doesn't take long to find out you have gone wrong!