Neil C's wife passed away recently. Neil posted a memorial ride for yesterday, so a number of FreeWheelers decided to go along and show some support.
But in the days before the ride, evidently both of Neil's usual bikes had problems; the one he intended to use broke a steerer tube. He contacted Laura OLPH, who included me in the conversation. We decided we'd see if we could get his ancient aluminum Trek into rideable shape, and Laura would bring one of the bikes in her stable along if that didn't work out.
It turned out the Trek just needed some new cables and adjustments to the braking and shifting, and re-installation of the saddle. It took about two hours (the settings of the derailleur limit screws, for example, appeared to have nothing to do with the actual derailleur and crankset that were on the bike), and we got Neil set up for the ride the next day. Neil was Neil: constantly talking, making bad jokes and engaging with us. I had high hopes for the ride.
Neil had put in the announcement that part of the ride "Includes a rail-to-trail (dirt)." I decided that I'd bring the 30-plus-lb. Krakow Monster, the gravel bike with the wide tires. In addition to the weight, it would have an additional challenge: I ride with flat pedals and regular shoes, rather than being clipped-in. I wanted to see if I could do the 57 miles with that setup. (I needn't have worried about the rail-to-trail; everybody else was fine on their narrow, high-pressure road tires.)
Club president Ira Saltiel came out to offer his respects.
En route:
Below, waiting for a tire to be changed. We decided not to offer advice or point out all the things the others were doing wrong.
The rail-to-trail brought us right to the Pemberton Wawa, where we met a Major Taylor contingent from Pennsylvania, doing the Spellbound ride.
To me, the most important part of the day, was that Neil appeared to be Neil. It's clear he misses his wife, and needs to talk about the experience... but he was talking about the experience. He was not silent and withdrawn, which would make me worry more about him.
I wish him well. We should probably offer him continued company.
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