In a few short hours I will be riding my bicycle with many other riders to the funeral of a fellow biker that many of us considered a hero and a legend. Bob competed in RAAM (Race Across America) many times and holds the tandem record along with a fellow Midwesterner. Yet he was never too egotistical to do a local Sunday ride with aspiring riders. he even inspired many in my city to compete in Paris-Brest-Paris. His tales of controlling a tandem at 70 mph when the front wheel blew up will forever live in my head (I had one burst at 40 mph with a head full of acid one summer night...)
Unfortunately, Bob drifted across the line and into an oncoming truck while competing in RAAM last week. No one knows why. Autopsy revealed no medical condition. It was said that his head slumped down and his bike drifted to his death.
Farewell my friend. Smooth roads and tailwind forever!
