Facts Speak Louder than Words

One of our comrades has fallen!

Today is Ben Mok’s funeral. A service for him was held at 3.00pm today. Riders will wear their helmets and observe one minute of silence. A common bond unites us. By the Six Degrees of Separation, we are all friends.

Many of us had our close shaves with traffic when we ride. I experienced mine seven weeks, and I have been reminded by my family to give praise and thanks. My fresh scars remind me of how risky being on the road is. Yesterday, a car knocked down Slow Twitch Forum’s Chief Technology Officer, Jordan Rapp and he remains in the intensive care unit with multiple fractures and contusions.

Having read Eve’s post on the Triathlon Family Forum, we should stay calm and cool-headed in the familiar face of disturbing news of cyclist-motorist accidents, and near-miss incidents. It is so easy and natural to be angry, and over-react; it is a delicate relationship we have when using the road. Any gesture can be interpreted as aggressive and confrontational. The aggrieved can seek recourse, and the guilty will be punished. We should refrain from tit-for-tat actions; facts speak louder than words.

If you like to express yourself, write on your blog, send out a tweet, post on Facebook, or launch an electronic -mail. Write with kindness. Compose with care. Speak with sensibility. Sing with praise.

To paraphrase a line from the film The Last Samurai, let’s celebrate how Ben lived! Rest in peace, my friend.

Monday's child is fair of face,


Tuesday's child is full of grace,


Wednesday's child is full of woe,


Thursday's child has far to go.


Friday's child is loving and giving,


Saturday's child works hard for a living,


But the child born on the Sabbath Day,


Is fair and wise and good and gay.