The musings on this blog are written to inform both the author, and hopefully, other riders that know they will never race, or at least never actually WIN a race, but enjoy riding a bicycle in difficult circumstances. For a large rider, >200 lbs, >6’2″, there are strategies to adopt that will assist in accomplishing goals that will be very self-satisfying. As stated in the ABOUT page, cycling is a outcome of a ratio of power to weight, that theme will be throughout all my postings, as it is where my mind goes about mile 40-80, miles 80 to the finish of the century, my mind goes places I do not wish to reflect upon,…and will NEVER publish.
This blog is born of an admiration of the writings of Aaron W. on a must read destination, http://www.steepclimbs.com. It was over a year ago I mentioned to him my desire to write about the challenges of larger riders. He was enthusiastic in his support of that concept, and I eagerly signed up with WordPress started writing, read my own writing and got shy. My friends from the past may not accept my claim of shyness, based on the main claim I have from playing rugby for the Charlotte Rugby Club, East Carolina Rugby Club, Nashville Rugby Club, and the University of Miami Rugby Club, that while I did not win every game I ever played, I NEVER lost a party. Shyness is a gene not in my chromosomal makeup. But whatever the excuse, the publishing will begin, and hopefully the reading will follow. All the musings from 2012 were deleted and we start fresh with the 2013 season.
Ride on Big Man.
The Long Ride 
This is only the second time that I have written in your blog. The first was about playing rugby. I did not understand then and still don’t why you love it so much. I promised that I would go with you to a game so I could find out why when someone yells “scrum” your eyes and face light up. I regret we never had the chance to go. I promise you, though, that I will attend a game in your honor to share a moment that we never did have. Chris and I will bring Wade.
We met for the first time in North Carolina though Suzanne tells me that we really met at Tess’ wedding in Vegas. Leigh and Chris had announced that they decided to get married, and you invited us to come down to meet family and friends. It was a great party and I met a lot of people who cared about you and Peggy and I knew would be supportive of Leigh and Chris. It was a wonderful way to begin a relationship.
We were right in supporting their marriage . It is now 7 year later from our trip to Jamaica and Chris’s affirmation of “ya mann”. They seem to love each other more than they did when we traveled to NC and celebrated their wedding in the Islands. And then there is baby Wade. I think their naming him after you was the right thing to do. Given his bulk it is very likely that he will be playing rugby and following in his grandfather’s shoes. I should also make sure that he gets a bike in the near future and starts training for his cross country trip. “This is something my grandfather did and I want to be just like him.”
I admire you first as a husband to a wonderful woman. Second as a father to both Tommy and Leigh and for that matter Gini as well. And now as a grandfather to Wade. You are firmly embedded in their lives and actually in the lives of all who you have touched including ours.
PS I am growing a beard.