“ Tradition. So here’s the deal. Each year on the Thanksgiving day, our club members come out to do the same old ride we do every weekend except for one crucial difference. Otto, the spiritual leader of our club, wins the sprint at the end of the ride. We do this year after year without exception. It’s our small way of displaying our collective respect for someone truly special and dear to our hearts. Otto’s cycling career dates back to the 1940’s where he was a force to be reckoned with on both road and track. Basically he’s been riding and coaching longer than most of us have been alive. His father is in the cycling hall of fame. He’s got enough nuts and bolts in his legs to set off a metal detector. Whether it’s 100 or 20 degrees out, he’s out riding with us. He always reaches his back pocket for a banana at the same spot on the ride. He can still throw it down and hammer with the best of them out there. He’s the last person to point out your mistakes on the bike but the first person to answer your questions if you ask. But these things are not what impress me about him though. During the years I’ve known him, I’ve never known him to say a single bad word about anyone. He keeps it to himself and just rides. He’s earned his respect among all of us because he’s never once asked for it. So as I watched him cross the finish line today, I felt a great sense of pride to be a part of our little Thanksgiving day tradition. Sure we didn’t have any floats or marching bands accompanying us, but we all knew that we were celebrating a special day in our own special way.
this was my blog post from 2003 turkey ride. otto, we will miss you like crazy tomorrow. can’t wait to ride with you again.
3 years ago