A New Season - Taking a Pull

 Pulling.....

The Hardtail out on an early cross country

There is a term mainly in road riding known as (among other things) "PULLING". You've seen it before. A line of cyclists taking a turn out front, allowing the riders behind to draft in the slip-stream of guys ahead of them. Depending in the conditions (and who you ask), this will yield a significant reduction in work for those behind the lead group. At times, you'll find yourself with only one other rider, where you take turns getting out front, "taking a pull". In doing this, the two of you can travel much faster than either of you alone. There are times when you may be in a fast group, or simply alone, sailing past another rider that is struggling and offer them a "lift". It is not unusual that in doing so, as passing by, someone will say "hop on"- meaning, get on my wheel and I'll pull. Just knowing that someone is there and willing to give you a hand up is often more helpful than the physical break from the arduous task of going it alone. So.....at times, we help each other along by taking a pull.

That appears to be the theme for the "Porpoise" this year.

Brothers and Sisters

I'm not sure when, but perhaps a couple seasons ago, I did a post about brothers and sisters. I'm too lazy to go back and find it (actually don't like to read my own stuff), but I know it had nothing to do with 1973 Alman Brothers release of the same name. Rather, it had to do with a group of guys (and girls), mostly from our graduating class, that still maintain some type of connection. I mean, as time passes, some things seem to find their place in the rubbish-bin of senseless trivia, where as other things become sweeter with age. At this point in our lives we generally don't care much for the trivial comparisons and petty B.S. Rather, there is a genuine following and concern of those that we have somehow managed to stay in touch with.

You'll have to go back and find this post, as I somehow chronicled the transition from our naive innocence to leaping into the world head-first - as if we knew what we were doing. Our little journey started a long time ago, when things seemed to be simple. We've lost a few along the way, in fact....too many. The first real gut-punch" came more than 25 years ago when my kindergarten buddy, Amy, was killed in Ogden canyon, by a one in thirty-billion accident. Since then, we have lost far too many to list here. It's times like that in which I stop and reflect on how all of these Brothers and Sisters have been a part of my life along the way. Maybe "stop" is the wrong word, as it often is during the long and silent periods that I'm riding by myself, that I find myself examining these long ago friendships. We all had dreams and ambitions, but somehow.....life just happens and we end up where we are today.

"I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then"

Our Brother Needing a Pull

Somewhere in that previous post, I had described (or at least how I saw it), all of us coming together in the late summer of 1978. It was an amalgamation of vast backgrounds and insecurities, but come together we did. Reed is one of those kids that came in from the other Junior High-School. I know we had a few classes together and typically ran in a group of some mutual friends. I think the last time I talked to him would have been many years ago, but he still looked the same. A helluva nice guy and certainly a loyal friend. A week or so ago came a text from one of the other brothers, forwarding on a text-thread from Reed's wife. Turns out he has been diagnosed with....one hell of a situation. Another gut punch for sure, but also a truly helpless feeling - a feeling that has been a constant reminder of why the Porpoise continues year after year. If I were keeping score, I would have lost count years ago of the friends, family and associates that have had to battle "the Big-C". You can go back and find far too many posts that mention those people in my own pathetic life, that have been through this anguish.

Pulling for Reed

This year we have added a little tag-line to inspire others to send our brother a little love and hope. Everyone can take a turn out front on this one, by simply texting an image to Reed, showing who you are and simply stating "Pulling for Reed". Moreso, pass this along to every member of our class, everyone that would have known him during those years and beyond - to brighten his day and allow him to draft in the feeling that we are all pulling for him on this ride. My understanding is he'll be moving down to Huntsman to further his treatments. Because I don't post personal contact information here, we'll work with some of the gang to get this kicked-off and moving. Meanwhile, do what you can to pass on the goodwill. Our brother and his family could use the encouragement from as many Fighting Scots and Lasses as possible. Remember - it is who we are after all.

A little tribute to Eric (Carmen)

We lost another great one last week. Not really sure how and/or what, that great talent form so many years ago has gone silent. Again, a post from maybe November 2018, referencing the static-free late nights with Stereo-X (KCPX 99 FM) - "All by myself". Before that was the AM-band classic that McCartney whishes he had written and the opening riff that even made Townsand weep. Thanks for he hits Eric.....

Click here for "Go all the way"

Pulling for Reed - Ride Hard!