I just read that Saul Raisin, a pro cyclist who almost died due to a head injury sustained in a 2006 race yet staged a remarkable comeback this past summer, is being forced into retirement after doctors ruled a full-time resumption of racing too dangerous.

Saul is a great racer, a brave man, and an all-around nice guy. I saw him training in the Utah canyons this past summer, simply enjoying being on the bike again after almost losing his life (or what he knew of it) only 14 months prior. He was really giving it his all to come back to professional cycling, and there were many of us who truly believed that he would be back on the start line for Crédi Agricole in the spring of 2008.

Yet it is not to be.

And Saul is fine with that.

He’s happy with all he has achieved in life, and has many years ahead of him to explore the rest of his journey. His fiancée, Aleeza Zabriskie (sister of Dave Zabriskie, another pro cyclist), has a great man with whom to share the experience.

Bravo, Saul, for showing us that it’s possible to turn a mountain of life’s lemons into a very positive, refreshing and rewarding tankard of lemonade.

Thank you.