Too Many Great Moments
Thursday’s usually the day I post the winner to the weekly Banjo Brothers Bike Bag Giveaway. You may have noticed, though, that yesterday I did not post anything at all.
That’s because I was staring at all the entries, wringing my hands, biting my fingernails, and in general failing to make a choice.
There are just too many stories I like too much. Evidently, a lot of us have done some pretty dang cool stuff on our bikes.
Help Me. I’m Begging You.
I did manage to winnow the list down to a group of finalists (although even that was not easy), which I’m publishing below. Please vote for the one you like best: either with a comment, or (if it’s inconvenient for you to leave a comment) with an e-mail (I will occasionally group and post the e-mail entries myself). You don’t have to give a reason why you voted for a particular person, but why don’t you anyway?
Upping the Ante
Originally, this contest was going to be for a seat bag, but the fact is, these are some of the very best entries I’ve ever seen for the weekly contest, so I’m upgrading the prize to a messenger bag / pannier set / gear bag. Winner’s choice.
I’ll announce the winner in Monday’s post.
And hey, there’s no shame in voting for yourself. Well, not much shame, anyway.
And now, on with the stories.
Kelly (Mocha Momma)
Who doesn’t love a “Triumphant Underdog” story? And Kelly’s is a good one, with victory to the just and pain and humiliation to the villains.
There’s an epic hill in every cycling story of mine, and this one from my childhood is no different. It took me exactly one month to attack the hill and go down it on my bike, but I had just gotten braces and my mother was worried I’d take a softball to the mouth or get my mouth stuck to the climbing rope in P.E. class and she became overprotective.
All the boys in the neighborhood taunted us little girls and dared us to speed down The Hill. Since I felt the need to tempt death and my mother in the same task, I waited till everybody had cleared out and went down The Hill. No problem.
The next day, when all the guys were there taunting and teasing and generally being He-Man of the Hill, I dared a guy to race down the hill. WHAT? Not only was I going to go down The Hill, I was gonna go fast. He snorted and decided to take me on. I beat him and when we got to the bottom he was really pissed and being laughed at by the other guys. He proceeded to punch me in the arm really hard. Instead of waiting for any of the other biking boys to protect me, I then kicked his ass.
Yeah, this was my proudest moment. I did it all while still attached to the bike. My teeth are perfect to this day.
Big Guy
Last year, I did the MS 150 for the first time, and with the very generous help of folks who read this blog, raised around $1600.00. I was very proud of that. So I can sorta-kinda imagine why Big Guy is proud of raising $12,000 for an incredibly worthy cause.
I rode for Team-in-Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) fundraising events not once but three times (so far). I’ve personally been able to raise around $12,000 to date just by riding my bike (and, of course, asking folks to sponsor me for doing it). $12,000. It’s sometimes hard to get my mind around that number (=~$40/mile) just for doing something I enjoy (except the asking folks for money part).
Moishe
Moishe’s story is just a great romp, and is really well told. If you’ve ever dropped your friends on a tough climb, you’ll be able to relate.
When I lived down in Olympia, my friend Scott and I rode our butts off down in Capitol Forest. We rode all the time; we planned our class schedules around getting out to ride during the week, we rode every weekend, and so on. Since it was Olympia, we rode through lots of mud and water and other bicycle-destroying crud. We decided, in the interest of saving money on parts and time on maintenance, to join the burgeoning singlespeed scene, and both built ourselves up some pretty sweet singlespeeds. We tooled around town on them, took them on some easier rides through the Forest, then, one February weekend, rolled out on their maiden "big" voyage: a 25-mile loop, whose appetizer was a 7-mile climb.
So we rolled out, this chilly and (of course) rainy March morning, in full singlespeed glory. We were riding with a couple of other friends of ours, who weren’t riding as much as we were, and we rolled ahead of them on the beginning of the climb. As we left them further and further behind, and ascended through the mist and mud and standing water, our pride at our single-speed badassedness grew. We muscled up short little ascents, kept our momentum along the steady grades; in short, we both felt fan-freakin’-tastic.
After roughly an hour of climbing, we reached the sign at the trail intersection at the top of the climb, got off our bikes, and leaned them (o glorious singlespeeds! let all the world revel in the simplicity of your drivetrains!) on the sign. We sauntered over to a convenient log where we sat down, unwrapped our clif bars, and waited for our riding compatriots to come and praise us.
So allow me to digress, briefly, and tell you about the trail we were about to go down: it’s rocky, rooty, steep, and (yes) muddy. It’s slippery and treacherous. Not the sort of thing you need a downhill bike for, by any means, but a tricky trail on the way down and a genuine pain in the ass on the way up.
Scott and I are sitting down, chillin’ out, and we hear a couple of guys riding up said nasty trail. "Cool," we thought, "people to brag to about our singlespeeds!" (well, Scott probably didn’t think that, and I certainly wouldn’t admit it in any context other than the relative anonymity of the internet) Sure enough, two guys rolled up, we got to talking, and they did admire our singlespeed bicycles and our prowess at muscling them up the hill. And around this time our riding buddies showed up (who I should mention were, to add sting to the you-must-think-by-now-inevitable putting-in-place that’s about to happen, attractive young women) and also exclaimed at our brilliance and we basked in the glow of our fantastic hill climbing ability with — yes — ONE gear!
So we’re all sittin’ around, talkin’ bikes, and one of the two guys says, "gee, I wonder where Brett is, he shouldn’t be too far behind." And but a few seconds later there came the sound of breathing and gear shifting and up comes Brett, cleaning a nasty little technical move, indeed cleaning an entire climb that I’d never succesfully ridden on any bike, rolling up like it ain’t no thing. And Brett – yep, Brett Wolfe – has only one goddamned LEG. He rolled up the trail, did a trackstand (well, maybe I’m making that part up), said hi, and kept going, like some ego-destroying ghost.
I’m still proud of my ride that day. But I’m truly thankful that it had such an inspiring coda.
Matt Mayer
Matt is doing a great job of passing his love of biking on to the next generation. His story reminds me I need to take my kids out biking more often.
There are quite a few moments that stand out but I guess right now this one is the biggest:
Last spring, perhaps April or May, I decided to go for a bike ride one Saturday morning. Decided to take my boys with me (they were 3 and 1). So I hooked up the bike trailer, threw in some drinks, blankets and a couple of rugrats. Hitched it up and pulled away.
The plan: To go for a bike ride and enjoy some time together.
What happened? A lot more.
I remember the ride was pretty uneventful as we ventured down the side streets of our neighborhood making our way to our normal trail entrance for the city wide trail system. The trails kind of run along the Cedar River here.
We stopped at the park so we could play. I mostly rested and then we saddled up again and ventued further. We came across the lake downtown with all the ducks and geese that live there. We rested there and feed bread to the animals for a long time. Finally saddled back up and ventured on.
We stopped at a donut shop and had a little snack. Well, I had two snacks. Ventured on further down the trail system until we eventually came across another park. Stopped for more play time. By now we were going on about an hour and half away from home and probably only 12 miles or so of actually movement. (Hey, we move slow) We eventually came to the end of the trail system, turned around and started for home. (The first time I had actually gotten to this end of the trail) This time we didn’t stop at all. All said, we spent about 3 hours together riding the trials, covered about 25 miles, had 4 donuts, handled out about a loaf of bread to birds, played on two different playsets and by the time I got home I had two sleeping rugrats.
I’d say it was a good day. I had a good nap that day too.
I was really proud of spending that time together, showing them a very interesting world along the river, pulling that much weight behind my bike, and knowing enough not to hurry what we were doing.
StormcrowePrime
StormcrowePrime isn’t actually in the running for the bag, since he’s already got the Banjo Brothers to set him up with gear. But his story’s still worth hearing.
My greatest cycling moment happened last summer. It was my first ride in recent history where I made any miles at all.
Those of you that have followed my blog know that in March last year, I was in a wheelchair due to a heart problem and morbid obesity brought on by a pituitary disorder as well as being on oxygen. This ride was out to a park called Fairfield Lakes County park. This was a 7.2 mile ride and at the time, I was having to take frequent breaks, but I did make it out there. Believe me, riding with a 15 pound oxygen tank strapped on your back ain’t easy.
I know that a bit over 7 miles doesn’t really sound like much, but at that time it felt to me like I had just aced Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France! I’ve learned to appreciate every ride I make, good, bad or indifferent!
bikepbp
Anyone who has ever planned on quitting a race, but kept going because you didn’t want to disappoint a loved one will understand why Bikepbp’s entry is a finalist.
I entered Paris-Brest-Paris in ‘03 after training from January of that year til August. (PBP is an ultramarathon ((1200 km)) road ride held once every 4 years and is older than the Tour.) I thought I was in good shape having trained between 4 and 5 thousand miles in preparation but I’d never done a ride like this straight through with little sleep.
At the end of one of the four qualifying rides I found a small stuffed dog that I brought home for my young daughter. She gave it back to me before I left for France for good luck–good thing she did. I zip-tied it on the back of my saddlebag and started the ride with some friends from NYC.
On Thursday night, sometime after midnight, so I guess it was really Friday morning, I couldn’t go on because of back pain and sleep deprivation (1.5 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday night). I told my friends to go on without me or they wouldn’t make the cut off time of 90 hours for the 750 miles. I just laid down on the side of the road and tried to rest my back and sleep.
As I was laying under my space blanket, I saw the stuffed dog on my bike and thought about how disappointed my daughter would be if I didn’t finish this thing so I got back on the bike and rode to the next check point. They told me I was just within the time limit so I took a short nap and rode on.
I was so inspired that at the finish I had caught up to my friends and we all finished about the same time well within the time limit and I was able to call my daughter back in the states and tell her that I finished–in French; which was our code for telling her that I finished under the time limit.
I’ll never forget that ride or the dog or the inspiration the dog (from my daughter) gave me.
NathanV
Nathan’s sneaky. He entered two of his favorites. The thing is, they’re both great favorites. A five day self-supported bike outing as an early teen. Your first big paceline ride. Who wouldn’t keep those as favorite memories?
1. First completely independent bike trip – my brother and I (11 & 13) left on a Wednesday with nothing but tarps, sleeping bags, some changes of underwear (this was pre biking shorts for us) and $50 bucks apiece. We were gone for four nights and 5 days riding around the San Juan islands, humping it up Mt. Constitution, sleeping in farmers fields and generally having a complete blast (’80s reference since that was the era). We called from about 20 miles out on Sunday and my dad drove back up our route home to take some pictures. He caught a shot of us that to this day is about the happiest I have ever seen myself on a bike.
2. Fast forward 5 years. Now I’m 18 and starting to race seriously. So as training I entered the Seattle to Portland, opting for the double century since I couldn’t get off work for two days. I will never forget sliding into my first real paceline (more then 5 people). The absolute rush of watching the lead person swing off and drop back and then me being the very tip of this 50 person snake of energy. I try to keep it smooth, marvel that maintaining 27 mph for 5 seconds is easy, drift over to the leeward side, wait for (interminably) that tap on the rear that signals the second to last rider then slide in and hunker down in the biggest draft of my life. I remember that day because riding was still effortless and new and I did 200 miles at a crack in under 10 hours.
My Sister Kellene
I’ve told my sister Kellene’s amazing crash story before, but it’s her story to tell, and she’s justly proud of the fact that even after that she still rides.
So…I am sure I could win the bag if I tell my story of my most memorable day on the bike! Actually the most memorable for my husband since he had to do the rescuing .I am not proud of my ridiculous fall, but very proud of my super hero husband that came to the rescue of his broken wife!
I took the most amazing fall! Fell 20+ feet right on my face on a pile of boulders. No rolling, just straight free fall! Many injuries to sport around and be proud of:
broken jaw, 14 broken teeth, broken wrist and arm, sheered off kneecap, stitches in arm, chin, and lip and beautiful black eyes..
After lots of dental work, braces, new teeth, and plastic surgery I am better than ever! You can check out my $30,000 smile on Rocky’s blog!!!
I guess the proud part for me is that I still ride! Thanks to my Rockheaded husband! He got me back on the bike while I still had a cast on! Just around the neighborhood. Then for my first ride he patiently went with me to the place of impact and coached me through it.
I love riding, and hate being a "girl" on the bike. For that I am proud!
Dug
Dug has done what I could never do.
Once I sat through the entire 6 hour BBC version of pride and prejudice. I didn’t ask my wife to pause it when I had to pee, but I think it still counts.
DPCowboy
DPCowboy describes what most of us can only wonder about: what would it be like to ride with the big boys?
I had an experience back in 1978 that I will never (ever) forget. It was the highlight of an incongruous number of years when I thought I was a good roadie (but wasn’t) and was struggling (although I didn’t know it at the time) to find a niche in cycling that worked for my particular set of skills.
I was racing in the Tour of Bisbee, a short stage race in Southeastern Arizona that had a kind of "down home" feel to it with a lot of civic involvement. It was a team stage race primarily, and a lot of the then current hot roadies were there (Boyer, Howard, Cook, etc.). It was the first or second stage, a 100 mi. (or so) road race where I found myself in the front of the group, knowing that two teammates ( and three or four others) had slipped away at the start of the race, and were smokin’ it 7 or 8 minutes clear of the field.
The hotshots didn’t know, and the surprise they showed when they got a "time check" (you know, that little guy on the motorcycle with the chalkboard?) about 70 miles into the race, and, well, it was an interesting reaction.
This was the first, real experience I have had with the "hammer going down", and it went down hard, believe me. I sat on, for dear life, for about 20 miles, as the field dwindled to just a few, and the last climb (a long one…six or seven miles) started. I have never been so absolutely shelled and wasted, but I hung on as long as I could, and Cook, Boyer and Howard, especially, rolled up that climb so fast, it was mindboggling….like 53 x17 fast.
I couldn’t help wondering, and have been thinking about it ever since…what if I could have stayed on? Logically, there was no way…the nuclear blast that shattered me was irrevocable. They (I think just Bob Cook (RIP) and John Howard) eventually caught the break, and Cook won the stage, but my teammate beat Howard in a two up sprint for second. I crawled in and died a thousand agonizing deaths, and started the very next day, and most days after that, with new expectations.
Comment by tayfuryagci | 01.20.2006 | 4:57 pm
I vote for DPCowboy. he was/is really a tuff cyclist.
Comment by ladilynn | 01.20.2006 | 5:00 pm
I vote for bikepbp – without our inspirations, where would we be?
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 5:01 pm
Kellene by a nose over DPCowboy.That she lived, alone resumed cycling is #1. DPCowboy’s story is cool, having been off the front against far better riders than myself, is an unforgetable experience and hard to put into words. BTW – what does the "DP" stand for. Maybe we dont want to know.Boz
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 5:34 pm
I vote Kellene because, well, OUCH andstuff. Dug was an oh so close second. Ifhe’d done it on an indoor trainer or betteryet, rollers, yeah baby.
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 5:41 pm
I vote for Kelly. I like a story that ends in a fight.
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 5:57 pm
dug, no amount of suffering on a bike can approach what you went through.
Comment by jim | 01.20.2006 | 6:18 pm
My vote(s) will only help further the editing process as I too cannot pick just one. Here are my top three in no particular order:Kelly (Mocha Momma) – this story took me back to my own childhood and epic stories therin. It’s only downfall was that childhood bike riding isn’t quite cycling but that is a forgivable offense.Matt Mayer – this one is great because I have just entered into the new territory of fatherhood (twins) and imagine days like the one he describes.bikepbp – this one too touches the heartstrings of parenthood as he uses his daughters gift to push him on.It will be interesting to see who wins…
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 6:48 pm
I go for Moishe. Not only do singlespeeds rock, but the stories written well and the expected twist at the end is, well, unexpected.
Comment by Valerie | 01.20.2006 | 7:06 pm
I’ve gotta vote for Matt Mayer. Way to be a great dad, Matt!
Comment by Marsi | 01.20.2006 | 7:41 pm
I voting for Matt. Based on his description, I ride that very same trail in that very same town. I don’t stop at the donut shop, but occassionally at one of the adult beverage shops along the way. I also promise that I won’t curse the families under my breath when I’m flying along and they are meandering. However, once his kids get to weaving on their own bikes, I might have to take back the part about cursing.
Comment by errrrrk | 01.20.2006 | 7:55 pm
I vote for Kelly (Mocha Mama). She rode and fought like a champ!
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 8:11 pm
I think they are all great stories. Perhaps you should give each one of them a little piece of the bag, you know, to be fair….. Ok, maybe not. If I have to choose. Let’s go with Matt.
Comment by Unknown | 01.20.2006 | 8:14 pm
I almost voted for the oxygen tank story, until I got to Kellene’s. While I didn’t flop over a 20-foot cliff and do a face plant, I had a garbage truck (actually, a recycling truck, but it still had that big bin in the back for smashing stuff in and all the levers and handles and other pointy stuff sticking out at all angles) pull out in front of me as I was doing 30+ mph while on my way to work. I hit the skids, but also hit the truck after sliding my rear wheel into its rear wheel. One side of my head/helmet smacked the truck and the other side of my head/helmet smacked the curb, the pointy part of it. In between, I shattered my wrist, collar bone and shoulder blade along with various cuts and mondo bruises. Like Kellen, I was pretty much lucky to be alive, with my last thought being, as I pictured myself going under the wheels of the leviathon, "I could die now." Getting back on the bike was something I looked forward to for quite some time, but also dreaded, wondering if I would be able to go back out and have some fun. Well, I did and I do, but it was no mean feat, at least it wasn’t for me.
Comment by Juliet | 01.20.2006 | 8:30 pm
I vote for KelleneNot just because since the first time I heard that story I’ve had weird tiggling sensations in my teeth and face bones everytime I get on the bike (I sometimes sufffer from ‘empathy’). But also because she is so lucky to have a superhero husband to come to the rescue. I must say I swooned. Good job Rocky – do you have any brothers?
Comment by barry1021 | 01.20.2006 | 9:07 pm
Smart move FC, its a tough call but as I said before–He proceeded to punch me in the arm really hard. Instead of waiting for any of the other biking boys to protect me, I then kicked his ass. Yeah, this was my proudest moment. I did it all while still attached to the bike. My teeth are perfect to this day.–For all the people that have stood up to bullies and all the women that have stood up to abusive men, Its Mocha Momma. Plus she never lost the bike, how cool is that??
Comment by Scott | 01.20.2006 | 9:08 pm
I’ve got to vote for Dug. I bought my wife that movie before we were married and I’ve still not had the guts to sit down and watch ANY of it. Be proud of yourself, Dug.
Comment by Zed | 01.20.2006 | 9:22 pm
I think Kellene’s Eddy Merckx incarnate. I’ve broken my jaw, and I was a lot lazier about getting back on the bike in the process.
Comment by Lindsey | 01.20.2006 | 9:49 pm
I vote for my boy, Moishe.Yeah, yeah…he is my husband and all!
Comment by Yvonne | 01.21.2006 | 12:56 am
I vote for Kelly (MochaMomma). I liked hers best cause the underdog won and kicked ass at the same time, while attached to the bike still :)
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 1:21 am
The story about that Elliot kid was good, how come it’s not a finalist? I bet Oliver Stone or Quentin Tarantino could turn it into a blockbuster movie.Matt Meyer described the perfect day. I had a similar outdoor afternoon with my little boy and wife last fall, so Matt’s story really resonates with me–it’s the kind of experience one never forgets. He’s my choice.They’re all good stories. Is there some correlation between writing ability and love of cycling?
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 2:11 am
My vote goes to Kellene. She is clearly harder than a bag of hammers. Toughness / physical courage is a virtue I admire, and getting right back on the horse exemplifies it.
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 2:24 am
I vote for Big Guy. Think of all the people he doesn’t even know that benefited from his accomplishment. I’m more a runner than biker (sorry) but will now work harder to raise funds for Race for the Cure this year. I am riding Hotter N Hell 100 with my brother this year so don’t completely throw my vote out.
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 2:35 am
Oh boy, I can’t believe I made the finals. I’m so happy just to be nominated. I wish I had a speech prepared. I could do the shameless thing here and vote for myself, but I decided that I don’t want to be "that guy", but I do want to list a couple of other things to consider when voting:My "rig" when fully equipped with children in tow (for this story) exceeded 400 total lbs. The captain is 260 (and I’m being nice to myself but I’m big boned), trailer with two rugrats is about 75 and department store mtn bike weighs in at about 40. I guess that’s only 375, but we all know that you always round up when you are talking about cycling, except when talking about your times. Second, I’m now down to a solid 240, most of the time. So I can definitely tell a difference when pedaling. I’ve been following the tips on this website and things really seem to be happening for me… :-)Third, I had a horrible ride home in the blinding snow and cold tonight from work without a Banjo Bros messenger bag. (Yes I shamelessly plugged that. I’m so desperate for a Banjo Bros bag that I’m about ready to start up my own blog so I can become a "friend" of The Bros and pimp their stuff. In fact, I might do that this weekend. And the ride didn’t really suck. It was fantastic.)So, I vote for Kellene. After you do something like that and almost die it is pretty damn impressive to saddle back up and go at it again. I mean, do you think you would ever do that? I don’t really think I could. Hell, after my wife telling me she was willing to go through childbirth again for another kid Kellene’s story is the 2nd most impressive thing I’ve heard in my life. MattPS. Mas Fina–If you see a husky guy on a blue Diamondback mountain bike weaving around on the trails feel free to tell me to get the hell out of the way. I, however, may throw one of my donuts at you. Actually, just if I don’t like it.PPS Congrats to everyone who shared. Getting out on a bike and enjoying the world is a reward I think we should all cherish.
Comment by Jeanne-Marie | 01.21.2006 | 4:17 am
Wow, alot interesting stories. I go with Mocha Momma I like that it a story from a childs view.
Comment by barnyardmama | 01.21.2006 | 5:11 am
I vote for Kelly–she kicks(ed) ass.KM
Comment by Bill | 01.21.2006 | 5:13 am
Matt Mayer- Like others I found it hard to pick 1, but Matts story is so easy to relate with my own stories of riding with my daughter. When my daughter had just turn 5 yrs old and I installed a stoker kit on our tandem for her. She had been riding on the Piccalo behind the tandem til then and this meant she was moving up to the big bike. That week end we went to do here first organized ride in Munster,Tx. We did the 25 mile ride since I didn’t know how long she could sit in her new position. About 2 miles into the ride my daughter ask "Dad why are those people following us?" When I looked back there were about 8 riders drafting us and I explained to her what drafting was. As we went down the next hill we hit about 35mph and she was honking her horn as we pass more riders and she is saying faster..faster. Another rider was born on that day. We finished the ride in 1 hour. I wish I had a movie of how fast those short 5 yr old legs were going. She is 12 now and has other things going on now but loves to ride her mountain bike when she has time. Best of all she has already asked me when the Elephant Rock ride is this year. We will be doing the 50 mile ride. Take some time and share your love of biking with your kids. They are what it is all about.Bill
Comment by AO | 01.21.2006 | 6:24 am
can i vote for bill? if not, then i’ll go w/ bill’s recommedation and vote for matt mayer too.
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 6:41 am
What an honor to be nominated! But I’m going to vote for Kelly. Women who kick ass are OK by me.
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 8:35 am
I’m torn. Yes, Kellene is a toughy and I have to face her everyday. And yes, she can take me, though she does have a glass jaw. Actually, it’s titanium.Kelly, on the other hand, working a smart-alecky boy on the bike and with the fists. That’s a lot of moxey. She scares me some, too.I vote for Moishe.
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 11:14 am
Its a tough call, but I vote for Kelly. And she will need her gear bag to carry the portable Espresso machine on her first century ride.Tim
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 2:39 pm
All great stories.My vote goes to Matt, steward to the next generation of cyclists. And besides, he needs somethingto put those doughnuts in!
Comment by Unknown | 01.21.2006 | 3:24 pm
Thanks, Elden…it was nice to be a finalist. My Gal Sal was "stirredfromherslumber" this morning with the news that I had made it. Ha! I don’t think she was nearly as excited as I. She faked it, though. I vote for Moishe….with a close second being Matt’s story…both were very nice reads…all were motivational. Dug is far stronger than any Western male human has a right to be (six hours of BBC….aaarrrghhh!).DP
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 01.21.2006 | 5:23 pm
I can see where you would have a problem deciding. They are all excellent stories.You can’t help but wince at Kellene’s accident, be inspired by StormcrowePrime’s tenacity, and remember being a kid on a bike with NathanV.DPCowboy’s good-humored description of being left in the dust was excellent.But I like my drinks and my stories with a twist.So make mine Moishe.
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 01.21.2006 | 5:24 pm
Bikepbp is my choice although it is a nice collection. I wish I had time to say more…
Comment by Sun Goddess | 01.21.2006 | 8:53 pm
I vote for Kelly. Her story was good all round.
Comment by TIMOTHY | 01.21.2006 | 10:42 pm
I have to go with Moishe. I had the privlege of being passed once or twice at (I think…) the 24 Hours of Idyllwild about 5 years ago by Brett Wolfe. Anyone who can see him ride, and not just ride but kick your ass ride, and not be inspired or not come away feeling that you have no right to complain while riding with 2 good legs – well if you can do that you should give up riding altogether!
Comment by Tom Stormcrowe | 01.22.2006 | 1:43 am
I vote Kelly! Mocha Momma does a great job and I really think she deserves the bag!
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 01.22.2006 | 2:17 am
Moishe Moishe Moishe Moishe Moishe
Comment by Big Guy on a Bicycle | 01.22.2006 | 5:08 am
While his was not a long and "Entertaining" story, I gotta go with the Big Guy in my heart. People like this saved my life, and I don’t have a way to thank them all. This is my little way of thanking him.
Comment by Big Guy on a Bicycle | 01.22.2006 | 5:16 am
Geez, I’m honored just to be nominated.After careful consideration (and because I would never vote for myself anyway), I think I have to give my vote to bikepbp( for not giving up when it would have been sooo easy to), though I would give it to Brett Wolfe if I could.
Comment by Azriel | 01.22.2006 | 1:08 pm
My vote goes to Moishe, because it has all the elements I love about riding. Including the part when you pound your chest just to be humbled.But I also would like to tell Doug that he is my hero. That is a challange I wouldn’t even dare to take.
Comment by Sara | 01.22.2006 | 4:37 pm
Okay, so some of these stories were very very good, BUT I have to stick with the one I read everyday and my loyalty is with her—-MOCHA MOMMA!
Comment by Unknown | 01.22.2006 | 4:50 pm
my vote is for moishe, the kicker at the end was great but the whole single speed lead up was spot on . it read exactly like the way I would retell one of my own humility learned stories, love it ! Jake
Comment by Ashbygirls | 01.22.2006 | 5:19 pm
moishe. because it’s the one I remembered after a few days, and because he delivered the punchline so well.
Comment by Renee | 01.22.2006 | 8:34 pm
Did the Matt Wolfe fellow used to live on Capitol Hill in Seattle? I used to see a one-legged biker near where I lived, riding where I feared crossing at the crosswalk. I watched him with a mixture of awe and "What the $*% are you thinking?". I couldn’t decide if he was a super hero or a wack job.
Comment by Jill | 01.22.2006 | 8:49 pm
My vote is for Mr. Stormcrowe. Sometimes the toughest battle is the first battle.
Comment by Unknown | 01.23.2006 | 12:25 am
I vote for my girl Kelly. She is still one tough chick and she would do the same thing today.
Comment by Ken | 01.23.2006 | 12:58 am
If I don’t vote for Kelly she might come hunt me down.You are the best Kelly.
Comment by AO | 01.23.2006 | 2:54 am
moishe’s story was so well told and w/ an unexpected ending… moishe it is then.
Comment by Kelly | 01.23.2006 | 3:02 am
It’s contests like these that let you know who your real friends are. After stepping away from these stories for a few days I’ve decided that I can’t possibly vote for myself even though I whored myself out at my own site. Here’s what I learned about some people:1. Kellene is my kind of gal. I don’t care what everyone says, I’m certain she was a looker before all the surgery. 2. BigGuy is a cool cat. All the time.3. StormecrowePrime is no quitter, that’s for sure. Admirable in every sense of the word.4. bikepbp has what it takes with the heart of a father and that reached it and grabbed me. But the story that stayed with me, the one that I told and re-told to my friends so much they told me to shut up was Moishe’s tale. The first time I read it I was puffing up FOR him after he one-geared it up that hill. When that pin came along and poked his ego I felt that, too. It’s a great story that ends with a hilarious vision. For that, Moishe gets my vote. Super story.Thanks for the ride, man. You sure make this stuff fun.Kelly
Comment by Caren | 01.23.2006 | 3:42 am
Okay, I was biting my nails, wringing my hands, re-reading the entries and completely understanding why you copped out of picking a final winner!Kelly’s story was easy to relate to being a "girl" and always competing against the guys.Big Guy’s is right up there too. I have walked two Breast Cancer 3-Day events (60 miles each) and raised over $16,000 while participating in these two events. I so appreciate the enjoyment of the event and the not so enjoyable part of asking for donations! Way to go Big Guy!!And then there is Dug…what can you say but his entry is definitely the winner of the "LAUGH OUT LOUD" category! To even attempt this shows he is a real man!But my vote goes to MOISHE. Great story…well told…has it all especially a great ending!Caren.
Comment by BIg Mike In Oz | 01.23.2006 | 8:12 am
Kelly, Kellene, Kelly, Kellene, Kelly, Kellene…Heads, it’s Kelly. Tails, it’s Kellene.Damn, it landed on it’s edge. Rocky wins for reintroducing someone to pedalling bliss who I’m sure swore off bikes forever whilst she was still airborne. Either Rocky is the greatest salesman in the world or that poor girl took a mighty knock to the head.
Comment by Unknown | 01.24.2006 | 1:19 am
Oh boy, I feel ashamed. I’m voting for my mother, Kelly (alias MochaMomma), because she’s guilted me into this AND because she’s now successful picked up a two hobbies that has lasted for more than a year, blogging and cycling. Motherhood’s still a bit touch and go…just kidding Mother! Send me $$!!