Didn't do the Tour de Phoenix yesterday and have mixed emotions about it. As i've told others "I just don't feel compelled to do it". That, and the feeling of dread I've had for months about it. I guess i'd call it a prompting, don't know why, but I just had to go with it. To those who don't know, my friend, and Lorie and Dave's father Herman Funk died last year after riding in this race and that experience may have something to do with my feelings, I don't know.
A few days ago I tried to dupe the prompting and planned to do the race on Kip Sharpe's tandem with Lorie Tucker. I think we could've done a pretty good job, I just couldn't get over the dread. Turns out Lorie had similar feelings and we decided to just ride out and watch. Funny thing is I just couldn't accept the fact I wouldn't be racing so I stopped by the Tri-stake center where the sign-ups were and walked around thinking I might change my mind. No good, it just wasn't going to happen this year. Anyways, thanks Kip for the offer and thanks to Lorie for the consideration, we would've had a blast.
Lorie and I did ride out to Usery yesterday and to the top to wait for the leaders. We had good conversation and shared a few Herman memories. At the top Carla and her daughters had pulled over to watch Kyle and Kip come over so we chatted to them for a while until the riders came along.
The weather yesterday was absolutely perfect, the company ideal, and it was just a nice relaxing day. Kyle and Kip fought hard and won the male tandem division. It was great that Fred Nelson got platinum. And Barry and Kim were amazing to get platinum, MALE platinum. I loved it that Bridget Verhaaren got platinum as well, she was awesome and deserved it. Everyone at the finish seemed happy.
As I was saying, I'm happy just to help people. I enjoy my good friends and hanging out with Lorie was just a relaxing time. I don't care about placing 210th or 1st, wait, 1st is nice but I would trade that easily for a fun day on the bike with people I care about.
I guess my values have changed and as I sit here the thought hit me that if I keep this up, I may, if i'm lucky, become just like Herman.
4 comments:
Thanks for the shout-out for Herm. The race brought back fond memories as I remembered the race in '08 was the last time I saw him on two feet. He had a big grin and a thumbs up for me and the other Brumby's who were doing something he loved. Dad didn't care what place he or anyone else came in, as long as they participated and had a good time.
I have to give some props to Jason and the race he did. He was a stud out there all day. I tried sucking his wheel going up Usery, but he was just too strong. I felt terrible when our group caught up to him since he made the break that would have ensured him a top-10 finish, but he blew the doors off of us at the sprint to the line. Bright future for that guy.
Tears.
My dad died one year ago today. I've been looking at old pictures and decided to do a search of his name on the internet and it brought up this post of yours. It made me cry. Thanks for remembering him. What a little treasure I was able to find out there in the world wide web. Glad my sister has such a great friend!
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