Life has a habit of throwing everyone the odd challenge, normally just when everything seems to be running so smoothly … a happy family, a great house, a fulfilling job, awesome travels …

And then there are times in life when the shit hits the fan. Big time. In this case, the shit happened on an otherwise regular Friday morning, a morning spent riding out with the boys in the desert, getting up to the usual tricks on dirt bikes. Then all of a sudden … BANG. A collision at an awkward angle with a pile of sand results in hitting the ground, hard.  In an instant, the smooth is replaced with the rough and life as you know it has changed forever.

Fast-forward a couple of years and I found myself on another Friday morning with my dear friend Chris. This time, we had gathered for a different adventure on a different kind of bike. What once had two wheels now has four. Chris was cycling the Spinneys 92km Bike Challenge, setting the pace throughout and being an inspiration to us all.

Chris … you are a living, breathing example of a fighter and someone who won’t ever give up. Despite a serious slap in the face, you got up, dusted yourself down and refused to let your spirit be quashed. Seeing you shine on Friday gave me the ultimate buzz and I’ve no doubt there’s bigger and better to come.  Alaska next!

Martin Luther King Jr. sums up my thoughts perfectly: “The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Wk.