Other Peoples’ Stories

When I decided to share some old bookmarks for ‘Other Peoples’ Stories‘ the question of order was of peak prominence. I mean, obviously, anything I flagged for future revisitation is a treasure worth digging up but I didn’t want to come in too, too heavy. Anyway, this piece has been living in the darkest parts of my brain for some nine years since I first read it, so before I direct you to the link I am going to add a trigger warning. 

This is an abrupt & razor sharp & also flowing story of a human experiencing all the stages of their partner’s horrific bicycle crash. From the uselessness of being 2000 miles away to the tests of being right there. It is still not easy to read and I’ve read it a dozen times. But there is power here and so I feel impelled to share it.

For most folks who ride bicycles, or who have partners who ride bicycles, there are probably right and wrong times to read this piece. For some folks, experience and anxiety may dictate that there’s never a right time. I’m sorry, please be kind to yourself.

Long time test-writer and Bicycling scribe Matt Phillips likely needs no introduction, but welcome now to his long-forsaken blog, Slant Parallelogram. This is the last post in fact, from nine years ago, and it’s called To Amy, on your birthday.