I enjoy it. It’s good for my mental and physical health. I can do it alone, set goals, listen to music, be outside…lots of reasons. Around 10-12 years ago, I started riding with a flag on my bike for a specific purpose: safety. Never one to miss an opportunity to make something a twofer, I began writing the names of people battling cancer on the flags. Sometimes I know the person well, sometimes I don’t know them at all. I ride about 100 miles with their flag, dedicating that time to them.

I’ve lost count along the way, but last time checked I had done about 150 flags. That’s 150 too many. But I’ll keep riding, for both of us.