As I write this, as I do most nights, sitting alone in a house devoid of another living creature it's almost unfathomable to imagine the impact Randy had on this world. As a cyclist in the relatively small cycling community of Lincoln, you would expect him to have an impact on those folks but it's not just Lincoln's cycling community and it's not just cyclists. When Randy was initially killed people stepped up to help his family with unforeseen expenses and funeral costs by raising tens of thousands of dollars in their time of need. Then again a few months ago, those same people stepped up and raised tens of thousands of dollars again to make sure that the Randy Gibson bench will get built. It was by and far the most successful campaign that the Lincoln Parks and Rec had ever been a part of, it was such an influx of money in a short period of time that it took them days after the end of the event to raise for them to be able to fully tabulate the total dollars donated. In all people from 3 different countries, 28 states and 107 unique cities donated to make the families dream a reality.
Wednesday was 3 years since Randy was killed out on Sprague road riding his bicycle, Saturday there were a number of rides in and around Lincoln to memorialize Randy and to celebrate who he was. Our group started out from Cycle Works on a route that would eventually get us to the stop sign that has affectionately become Randy's sign at the intersection he was killed.
After a few mild days summer reared it's ugly head again on Saturday to make sure we knew it wasn't quite fall yet. Temps were in the 90s and the wind was whipping at 20+ mph with gusts up into the 30 mph range. Every pedal stroke we rode south, into the wind, was well earned.
There was already a small group there when we arrived and as we sat there talking and taking in the shade, more and more arrived all the time.
As is tradition, I carry a new RG sticker with me when we head out there. The sticker from last year was still hanging tough but I decided to put the new sticker up next to it anyway.
Having shared in the moment we all departed at the same time as one larger group, as the group rode on riders would splinter off towards wherever it was they were heading.
Our group headed over to Traditions Pub in Sprague for some food and drink before continuing back to Lincoln.
Back in Lincoln we pulled up to Saro for a porch cider before heading back to the shop and the end of the ride. It was nice sitting on the patio talking to good friends and just enjoying the day, it won't be too long now that patio sitting days will be gone for the year so might as well enjoy them now.
I really love these Saturday rides, having moved to Omaha a few years back it gives me a reason to come back and spend time with my Lincoln friends. As someone who has moved around a bit in life I can tell you that moving is one of the biggest factors in losing contact with people in your life. All I can say is make that drive, spend that $20 in gas, go out of your way to meet up with friends; even if it sometimes seems like that drive is mostly one way, go anyway. At the end of the day you never know how many more Saturdays you have left to see the people that matter in your life. I don't know about you but I'd rather let them know when their still here how I feel rather than let their SO know how great they were after it's too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment