AND THEN................

..............It was Sunday 23rd of March 2013, I was lying in bed humming and haring about going out for a ride. I wrestled with myself for a while, then convinced myself, if I just go over the hill and back.

I've put my gear on, got my wallet, got my licence, go to the garage and pull my bike out, she's not too keen to start today, but after a few attempts, I've got her going.

Off we go, the plan is to head out to Lake Ferry, have a coffee and come back home, I'll be about 2 hours MOST! I've called a friend of mine to let her know I've gone out and about what time I'll be back.

I get over the hill, the traffic has been light, the weather is beautiful, it's a clear blue day, I'm quite happy riding along, just enjoying the moment, clearing my head and forgetting my worries for a while. I don't know why, but once you become a parent, you have to justify allowing yourself some time out, and once you've had it, you feel guilty for having it, and it NEVER goes away. Why is this?

But for the moment, I am in MY moment, I ride out to Lake Ferry and think, ummm, not sure I'll stop here for that coffee, my girlfriend lives just up the road, I'll just stop here for 10 minutes and enjoy the sun on my face, sit by the sea and "have a minute" I'll call into my friends house and have a coffee with her, then head home. I'll be home by lunchtime.

The Sun is so nice, a gentle breeze blowing on my face, I could just sit here by the sea in the sun for hours!

Not today, time to get moving, heading toward Pirinoa, which is about 10 minutes up the road, I decide to flag that coffee, and just head home, pulling into Featherston, there's no traffic to wait for, I enter onto the main road, this road takes you toward the start of the northern side of the Rimutaka Hill, heading south. There are two 65km bends coming up, the second, just before the twin bridges, I know I have to slow down for that one, the road is off camber, I glance at my speedo, I'm doing 65 on the money, I've just changed down a gear and I'm leaning left into the corner............. and that is all I remember of that day.