Things Change

Riders approaching the Rocky Ford bridge. (Image by Jeff Kerkove)

Last weekend I saw some news which told of a bridge closing near Emporia, Kansas so a new one could be built to replace it. This typically wouldn't be "newsworthy" to myself, or anyone, for that matter. However; this was the Rocky Ford Bridge, otherwise known as the Bird Bridge, named for a famous murder which had occurred there years ago. 

It also was the bridge where the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame members would go each year to have their picture made. I had the honor of being there in 2023 when the first two classes were feted at the first GCHoF ride. So, for both historical and personal reasons, this news hit home for me. 

It is odd, isn't it? A rickety old steel bridge built 118 years ago in the Flint Hills of Kansas has some bearing on my feelings today. On one hand, you wish the thing would stand forever, or at least be there every time you wanted it to be there. Then on the other hand, practicality forces its way in. The residents there deserve to be able to have a safe, reliable bridge in order to get around, do farming and ranch work easier, and be rid of a liability. 

The news made me consider a lot of things. Obviously my life has changed tremendously in the last couple of months. There are so many things we take for granted and maybe, when things get blown up, you become sensitive to every change. I get this could be the case with myself. 

But it is a cautionary tale. Things are changing every minute whether or not you want them to. Time marches on. You may not have your situation as you know it today by tomorrow morning. And even if you do, this is an illusion, as decay and small details of life never really ever stop changing your reality. 

It makes me want to savor every ride I get a chance to do these days. My age is advancing, and whether or not I want to admit it, this will affect me as I go on. I'm not guaranteed anything.

I was speaking with N.Y. Roll the other day about the dynamics of local group rides and local group riders here.  There are some really petty things happening which, if we're honest, won't matter one lick next week, but will affect relationships for days, months, and decades. Isn't this stupid? 

Yes. We do not have time for such malarkey. I don't have time for it anymore, I'll tell ya that much! So, maybe we'd be better off not saying negative things. Maybe we should be thinking about supporting others more and thinking about what we want less. That would precipitate change which I think we'd all want to see. But it takes swallowing your pride. Can you? 

Not all change is bad.. We can focus on what we want. I will choose the good things. Old bridges were good in their day. Let's build new, better ones for the future.