Well, it's finally time to say goodbye to Ames. I've really been mad at myself for not getting rides together to properly say goodbye to all the great biking friends I've made here. I just can't believe how quickly this month went, and the weather, and everything else is the only excuse I can come up with. Still, I'm really sorry that I didn't catch up with the folks that read this blog from Ames.
Here's a list of things I owe to the folks I've met here. You can use this virtual "IOU" whenever you want, but more importantly, you should interpret this as my way of saying a huge thanks:
--Happy Training Paul: I owe you a huge photo album created by a famous, professional nature photographer. From my first baptism into TI training, to the quick afternoon rides, I looked forward more and more to what I'd see on the next "Paul route". Somehow you were able to make a route that made the barren Iowa farmlands seem interesting! Your tireless positive attitude rubbed off on everyone that rode with you:)
--Mad Matt Maxwell: I owe you a Rivendell frame. I learned a ton about keeping my bikes as basic, and functional as possible. What good is saving a few grams when the part breaks when you're in the middle of your all-day tour? Rivendell's whole "no-nonsense bike philosophy" fits well with the things I learned from you. I hope to run into you on an open Iowa gravel road, 40+ years from now, and I won't be surprised to see you on your Bean Green Cross-check :)
--Paul Beer Fridge Varnum: I think it's obvious that we all owe you a six-pack or two of a tasty and expensive beer. Whenever I get settled, you're welcome to "stop-by" (which may mean a journey out west) and raid my fridge whenever you want. And of course, thanks for all the bike-gear talk, and advice.
And to all the other folks I've talked with about bikes: Wade, Eric, Marc, Travel Gravel (Greg) any many more I'm leaving out. Thanks so much for making the most out of the bike culture in Ames. It's been a fun time getting to know everyone's specific bike related interests, and has given me many unique experiences that I'll be taking with me. No two of the friends I've met here are at all alike! You all brought a different love for biking to my attention:) I hope to ride with all of you again, and whenever I'm settled, (likely a bike-friendly town) you'll all be invited to go riding with me :)
10 comments:
So, are you already gone? Did we miss a chance to do a group goodbye ride? 94 and humid would be a perfect counter to Carney and Beav's goodbye ride last winter! Best wishes to you Alex. I hope I'm somehow on that ride in 40 years when you bump into Matt! Later!
I didn't catch where you are headed... somewhere in the Mountain West, it sounds like? Have fun, man! Congrats on finishing up school, and best wishes for a dirt and gravel filled future!
Eric
yeah, I'm very bummed we didn't get a nice group ride in. I'll be back in Ames sometime, and I'll be sure to keep you up-to-date if you wanna make it out west Greg :)
I'll be heading to CO springs, Denver, Boulder, then Salt Lake, then Yellowstone, then Portland. I'll let you know where I end up :)
Have you already left? Man, I go on vacation for a week and all of a sudden a friend moves.
After being in Vail for a week, Colorado sure would be a sweet place to end up.
Keep in touch! You have my number!
Paul
I'll be sure to wave if I see you driving west :) I'm headed from Sun Valley, ID to Yellowstone, then down to Keystone, then up through Ft Collins and back to Ames over the course of the 15th through the 24th. You'll have a blast in all those places (though I can't vouch for Salt Lake, I've been to the rest.)
At least keep us informed on where you are at and how the riding is!
Hey sorry I missed ya Paul. I'll of course keep in touch. All the best to you and the family:)
Portland!?! Call me fella.
Hey Cory. Sorry I've been in the process of moving, etc... so I haven't had much time or computer access. I've been visiting some relatives here in Colorado springs for the past week or so.
The way things are shaping up, I look to be in the Portland area during the last week of August, possibly stretching into the first week of September. I'll give you a call if I know any more details, but that's what I'm thinking right now. Will you be in Salem during that time? If so it'd be great to catch a ride with you. I've got my Kona mountain tested on a couple rides here in Colorado already. Hope to see ya soon.
I will certainly be around.
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