Although I haven't dated anyone in a few years, I have been in more intimate relationships than the Roman Catholic Church (in which I was raised) says a person should have in his or her life.
Of those affairs and partnerships (which include one brief marriage), in only one was I able to share my passion for cycling.
It was the relationship that ended with my gender transition. Ironically, she and I had a Domestic Partnership Agreement which, in those days before legal same-sex marriage, was the tightest knot two people of the same gender could tie. I used to joke that, as a male, I was living the dream of every lesbian of the time: I shared a nice apartment in Park Slope with an attractive woman.
Even though my transition was what I wanted and need to do, I missed her for a long time. Some of the best conversations and meals I've ever shared were with her. And, of course, there was the cycling, which included bike tours of the Loire Valley, a week of exploring the Paris region by bike, and day and weekend rides in Vermont, Massachusetts, upstate New York--and the environs of our fair city.
One of the best things, though, was that I didn't have to lie to her when I bought bikes or bike-related equipment. Part of the reason was that I bought a bike for her and she bought one for me. So, she knew what bikes, parts and the kit I wore cost.
Had we stayed together, I would not have shared this fear of so many other cyclists:
Tomorrow I will start writing about "serious" cycling topics again. Really!
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