#aiswednesday

[smaishketchum]

Ais Wednesday: Today I cried for the people I've hurt, for the pain I've indirectly caused, and in rememberance of my mom, a bold woman who loved me yet caused heartache. Since moving to Oakland and being diagnosed with herpes I've been keeping my cool and not fully grieving what I've left and who I've affected. The feelings flooded me and instead of crying like I would 10 years ago I left the house to explore unfamiliar territory doing what I love, cycling. As I felt my legs ache after being off the bike during a painful outbreak, I began to say what I'm grateful for, which is my mom raising me to be a strong independent woman and how to unconditionally love. I'm sorry for the pain, yet I know I've done what I can in the now. May others find healing in receiving and giving love as we journey into the wild unknown. #AisWednesday #DoWhatMovesYou #SufferCat (at Skyline Blvd @ Grizzley Peak)

[smaishketchum]

#AisWednesday: Honored to be a part of the #caskets #portrait series of cyclists in their fave #cyclingcaps 📷: @alexthompsonphoto After thinking about the meaning of caskets, I felt shocked at first to think the same caps we wear can be our casket. Drivers please remember that I am not in a metal casket, but a wool cap...a cap from my fave job @peddlerscreamery where on the regular #Angelenos asked "Omg you cycle on the streets? Isn't that scary?!" Me: "Yea... it can be scary but filling your mind with fear will foster accidents. My motto on the streets is 'Hesitation kills.'" You're either the Hunter or Hunted. Riding the unforgiving LA streets teaches one to trust their intuition.