Last Friday we sent Todd off on sabbatical with a killer lunch ride (Todd is on the far left in this picture). We chose the longest, highest route, and spent some extra time up in the mountains riding and laughing. Todd scored a new job south of town, and won't be riding with us in the near future. I was thinking of doing a farewell post, but I have a good feeling Todd will be back before we know it. He'll be working in a building that is in the line of the new freeway, so the building will be demolished before too long. After that, I imagine he'll be back in active duty when they move his office closer to town.
Todd is one of the founding members of the Facility Bike Club, and was one of the only ones left that worked there. Ryan is the only remaining active rider from the Facility. He's keeping the torch lit for us...our last remaining connection to that place where it all started.Riding with Todd for six years has generated many adventurous tales. There are way too many to list here, but I'll just throw out a couple. There was the time his bottom bracket seized on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride right in the middle of a swarm of mosquitoes. Todd, Sarge, and I sat there getting eaten alive as we tried to figure out what the hell had happened. Then there was the time when Todd and I tied Bill's legs together with inner tubes after he hyper extended his leg, and then dragged poor bill down the ravine to safety. You can't help but feel a little closer to a couple of dudes after climbing down a ravine in a sweaty, spandex clad group hug.
Todd has survived many a crash, and has put up with trash talk that would make most grown men cry. We'll also miss Todd's expressive trail riding. Primal grunts and groans. Mild swearing when he failed to clear an obstacle, or extreme profanity when he went down hard. After a few years, you got used to all the noise behind you, and didn't worry about him unless you heard the really bad words. Here's a great video of Todd expressing himself on the Tahoe Rim Trail...
Good luck with the new job, Todd! We hope you stay in good enough shape to rejoin us in a few months.
Feel free to wish Todd well or post a funny Todd story in the comments!
10 comments:
This one time, in band camp...
Ohhhh, don't go there! Todd plays Tuba and Baritone horn! That would cause severe damage...
That wipe out looked fake.
Have him try it again, but with a little more speed and a little less agility.
I want to see fractures!
I am sure he appreciated that someone caught that wipeout on video. What are friends for?? :)
We actually got footage of that from the top and bottom...two cameras were rolling! You know you're in trouble when that happens...
Actually, it's not so much a sabbatical as a mission. I received a calling to preach the gospel of the lunchtime bike ride to the Heathens in south Carson City. It appears that many of them live their entire lifetime without knowing that lunch hour is meant for pedaling.
Thanks for the great send off on Friday. The Timberline ride is one of my favorites. Our lunch rides have been the highlight of my workday for many years now and I'm determined not to let the new job stop my riding. After all, I have to keep in shape for the times I can make a group ride.
Now, old man, it hurts to hear that you think I would stoop to the level of staging a crash. I take great pride in my crashes. I'm pretty sure I hold the club record for quantity of crashes and crashes with the most entertainment value. I hope to leave the title for fractures to Robert, Sandie, and Dennis.
I will not say goodbye because I fully intend to rejoin the group sometime in the future. I'll just say keep the wheels turning until we ride again.
Happy Trails.
i like the sound effects in the video.
is that like a growl or something that he does before each hard part?
I think it's like a battle cry. It instills fear into the enemy and trail obstacles.
My eight-year-old daughter and I are laughing at the video. "Arrr! Arr! ..."
That was funny. I hope Todd wasn't hurt just for our entertainment.
Todd has an amazing ability to roll. He's had a few hard impacts, but usually he can roll out of a throw like Captain Kirk unscathed.
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