Coluber42
03-24-2014, 08:58 AM
Last night we lost an incredible member of our local cycling community to cancer. When he was in his 40's he was morbidly obese, and at his doctor's orders, he started riding a bike on the bike path. When he first started he could barely make it a couple of miles, but he kept at it, lost weight, and not only transformed his own life but also tirelessly and devotedly encouraged others. He was the boisterous, ribald, inimitable guy who led group rides, worked at his buddy's bike shop, and sang out loud as he rode down the street. Not only that, he also had macular degeneration, and was legally blind, although he could see well enough to ride, and never let it stop him.
Who knows how many new cyclists he encouraged to try things, overcome injuries and uncertainty, and finish charity rides that they'd never have dreamed of attempting. He was the guy who could say to people, "If I can do it, you can do it!" and they'd have to believe him.
I have many friends who started riding with Bobby's encouragement or who got in shape for their first charity events on his training rides.
Bobby always gave the safety spiel before the rides starting from Quad Cycles, and finished it with "Ride with love in your hearts and smiles on your faces! Roll the ride!"
Who knows how many new cyclists he encouraged to try things, overcome injuries and uncertainty, and finish charity rides that they'd never have dreamed of attempting. He was the guy who could say to people, "If I can do it, you can do it!" and they'd have to believe him.
I have many friends who started riding with Bobby's encouragement or who got in shape for their first charity events on his training rides.
Bobby always gave the safety spiel before the rides starting from Quad Cycles, and finished it with "Ride with love in your hearts and smiles on your faces! Roll the ride!"