Today is the day that we make a point to go for a ride, sip a beverage (or 10) and celebrate life. Hit the trail, do your intervals, cruise the bike path, grab a bike share and hop some curbs… It doesn’t matter. Just get to pedaling!
This day started out as a memorial for our fallen friend, Kyle. But this giant dysfunctional bike family is way better at celebrating life. So that is what we are going to do. Let’s all take a moment to simply ride our bikes, maybe get a little drunk and smile. Let’s do it for our homies that are no longer here. Let’s do it for the friends we have yet to meet.
We don’t write much on this old yellow page anymore, but we are still out there. Lurking on the side streets, sitting on the side of the trail having that warm beer…riding places people say we shouldn’t and maybe even scratching in the occasional new trail. Some of us bitch about politics on the DC media platforms and other people like to hate on us with a little bit of puritanical fun-shaming. Me, I still like to just ride my bike on as much trail as possible, to random pubs around the world. Do whatever you want, but just remember: There are no politics in booze. There is no hate in bikes. There are only the relationships we have and the mark we leave on this world.
Having just returned from Singlespeed USA in Austin, TX I am once again blown away by this family we have become. It really was a big weird family reunion. We are some damn lucky dirtbags. You have amazing people all around you, be sure to let them know it every once and a while.
Use #DrunkcyclistDay if you post anything. Have a kick-ass day and I can’t wait to see what everyone does!
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Below are the words I promised myself I would post every year on this date. It is a somber, life changing tale. But I don’t want to forget the impact it had on me. I remember exactly where I was when I wrote it. I had just snuck into a random hotel in Mexico to use their business center. I was on bike tour and I couldn’t shake these thoughts about my friend. Big Jonny had given me a voice on this page and I wanted to use it to actually SAY something, not just talk about things. It doesn’t matter if you read it or not, but it’s down there if you are so inclined. Cheers, friends.
When I meet people from the DC family out on the trail, the one question I get the most is “How do you know Big Jonny and how did you end up writing for the site?”. I am reminded of the story around this time every year, and today seems like the best day to share it.
I always try to adhere to two rules when writing a post. No politics and nothing too heavy. I am going to have to make an exception here and get a little serious.
I have known Jonny for about fifteen years now. Before that, I was just a fan of the site and only knew of BJ through our fantastic bike community here in Arizona. But I never really hung out with the guy. It isn’t hard to keep tract of the years we have known each other.
Fifteen years ago our friend died.
His name was Kyle, and if you have been reading this site for a while you may have stumbled across his name. We were only close acquaintances and riding buddies at best. I had never met his family, knew his birthday or any of the things close friends know. But the conversations we had and the rides we shared make me proud to call him a friend. He was an original member of the Drunkcyclist crew, and he was a hell of a guy.
When he passed, you could feel the sadness move through our cycling community like a tidal wave. We were grieving and we were going to handle it the only way we knew how. Ride and drink. The call went out over this web site and via word of mouth that there was going to be a memorial gathering. Leave whenever you want, ride whatever you want. Just get to the top of South Mountain. I met up with Jonny and a small group of like minded vagrants at the trailhead and we rode the National trail up the hill. We told stories of our friend and we talked about his favorite trail that we just happen to be riding on. It was never discussed but it seemed like we were all riding at a parade pace, a slow march in memorial to our fallen friend. It was one of the most memorable rides of my life.
When we reached Dobbin’s Lookout it was an amazing sight to be seen. There were people convening from everywhere. Mountain bikers coming up trails, roadies coming up the road, and non riders in their cars. I liken it to when you see one ant on the sidewalk then your eyes focus and you notice that there are now 50 ants. People were coming from all different directions as if they were materializing out of the desert.
Waiting for us at the top was Kyle’s family, a minister, and a keg of beer. The family said some words and the minister facilitated some amazing story telling. We shared stories for who knows how long. We laughed about our friend’s shenanigans and grown men cried. As I looked around at all these people that came here to pay homage to their friend, there was one common theme. He was just a really nice guy who would do anything for his friends. My thoughts turned to my own impact in this world. How many people would show up if I died tomorrow? Would anybody say these amazing things about me?
At that time, I was a broke, angry, and out of shape loser settling into my position under the bell curve of society. I was living beyond my means and talking shit like it was my job. In short, I wasn’t a very nice person.
This moment was a tipping point in my life. That evening, as I sat on a rock overlooking the city, everything changed. It may sound over simplified and cliche, but that day I vowed two things. To live my dreams every day and to just be a nice person.Fortunately, I have kept in touch with Jonny over the years and it has eventually brought me here to you guys. If you have a DC jersey you will notice a name and some dates on the back. This has been the story of that man. If you are in ever in Phoenix and find yourself riding up South Mountain road, look for the little memorial across from the ranger station. Stop and pour a little water out for the cactus that’s there. I do it every time.
Our friend was only around for a short while but his impact will be felt for a lifetime. Make time today to go ride, to think about your friends, and to appreciate life.
–Thanks for the life lessons, brother. See you at the end of my ride.
HBD, DC!
Several beers drunk to that, Cheers!
I miss this old yellow page, BGW, Joetheelectrician, Triple T, Big Johnny, D2 & all the other individuals that made this site great, even Littlejar aka Francis.
Dirty is still doing a great job of keeping the spirit alive.
Still love turtles
I met Kyle in December 99 and by January 2000 we were roommates. We were as close as it gets. We would ride 3-5 days a week over the next 2 years. Damn was he fast. He would Kick your ass on the road, drop you on the trail climbing National and good luck trying to catch him on the down hills… but he always waited up for you. There are so many stories. One flight of the pigs, (an epic 40+ mile urban assault of Phoenix) someone broke their Ellsworth, of course, and Kyle dropped back to help a stranger out, he emptied his Camelpak, McGuivered the chain stay with tubes, a clif bar and a rock to get this guy another 15 miles from trail 100 to a bar on mill street In Tempe. We got there 45 minutes late to the party, but it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t leave anybody behind and if he could help he would without a question. If you were on a bike, you were his friend And if you had a beer or needed one, you were his best friend. I was lucky enough to have Kyle in my life and I aspire to be a better person because of him. Cheers degenerates ? now get out and ride!!
Was good to talk to you at SSUSA this weekend. About to hoist one in Kyle B’s honor.
Respect.
Miss KB.
Humbled by his kindness, ability and grace his family exhibited in handling his loss.
Those who knew him are all better through association.
Honored to have shared time with him, celebrate his life today and raise a glass in his memory.
Ride your bike like Kyle – smile and slay it.
Happy DC day hombres..Big up to Dirty for keeping this all going. Didn’t know Kyle but man I miss him too, (and my own awesome friends that can’t be here today).
Rode bikes, drank beers. Felt the love.