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limeinone: Thanks. You rock. See the email about the Texoma Cycling Center. I guess we're going to coordinate all the "extra trick out stuff" through them.

Cross your phins and pheathers!

I don't know much about road bikes - any special size for replacement tubes, or just regular 26-inch?

Mr Play wrote:I don't know much about road bikes - any special size for replacement tubes, or just regular 26-inch?

I have -0- clue, Bill. I'll ask Brian for size, etc. and get back with you.

Gotta love our RhumChum.

She has the 4*1*1 on the kid and a way for me to get in touch with his family.

RhumChum *rocks*.

Here's what she had to say about the kid . . .

Morning Terry. I know him from his riding in just about every single Tour de Paris (in which I have been involved since it's inception since 1984 and was event organizer for the last ten years). When I started riding about a year ago, he would stop by my office and try to get me to ride in some of the area rides. He is a real nice person.

The observation of our PHriend

East Texas Parrothead wrote:"... someone who gives it everything they have."

and the assessment of one of his competitors

Brian wrote:I am glad this guy has stuck with it...he obviously has the passion needed to be a cyclist.

tells me a lot about the man.

Here's my column for next week:

There’s something good here . . .
I’ve written here many times about the capacity of the human heart to do good things. Stay with me on this one ... it’s one of the best stories to come along in a while.
There’s something good here . . .
Last Saturday, at the 18th Annual Pilot Club's Tour ‘d Trails in Winnsboro, I had the pleasure of meeting a very personable young man who had ridden in the 20 mile race and was standing at the finish line waiting for the 40 milers and 60 milers to come in.
There’s something good here . . .
His eyes were bright and he was full of enthusiasm as he told me how he had finished 5th in the 20 mile race. He took a wrong turn, he said, or he might have even finished higher. He said he lived in Arthur City near Paris and had left his house at 4:30 that morning so he would be sure and not miss the 9:00 start time.
There’s something good here . . .
I looked at this young man’s bike. It is a mess. Rust on the stem. A saddle (seat) that was held together with black masking tape. Bald tires. He had no gloves and his helmet was worn through to the foam. His shoes looked like they came over on the Mayflower. His jersey was stretched and old. His biking shorts were frayed.
There’s something good here . .
None of this mattered to this kid. I say “kid.” He is probably in his 30’s. However, he looked like a kid to me as he watched “the riders who go really fast” come across the finish line.
There’s something good here . .
According to the ladies in the Pilot Club, this kid rides the Tour ‘d Trails every year. None of the women could remember seeing him in anything but that stretched out blue jersey. They said he always arrived early on race day.
There’s something good here . .
The riders who had finished the race and I got to talking. If someone is passionate enough about his sport to get up at 4:30 in the morning to make a 9:00 start ... if he loves his sport so much that he can finish 5th in a race where he made a wrong turn and was racing on bald tires, then he should have the proper equipment and gear to be competitive.
There’s something good here . .
So, the cyclists from Dallas are putting together a care package, including jerseys, socks, a new saddle and some gloves. Bob Wilson, Winnsboro, and Ray Wyrick, Quitman, are going to put a bike together. Brian Wyrick has asked his boss at Texaoma Cycling Center to donate a flat repair kit and some tire and tubes.
I posted our intentions on two internet message boards I frequent. Cyclists and my Jimmy Buffett friends from all over the country are donating cash so we can fill in the gaps once we get all the gear together. One of my Jimmy Buffett buddies from Connecticut has a cousin who works for Cannondale (cycling company) and she’s going to try to get promotional stuff from them. Another Buffett buddy is sending an “cycling computer” that tracks miles ridden and other information.
There’s something good here . .
A friend of mine from Paris has provided contact information for the kid and his family so we can coordinate a surprise visit to his house to present him with his new racing wheels and all the new gear. My friend says she knows the kid well. She says he has ridden in every Tour ‘d Paris since 1984. She says he’s a great guy.
There’s something good here . .
His entry fee to any future Tour ‘d Trails races will be covered, as well as a tank of gas. The Paris newspaper has said they’re interested in doing a feature story. Soon, this kid with a passion for cycling will have everything he needs to “ride really fast.”

There’s something very comforting about the capacity of the human heart to do good things.

wow......

. . oh, my . .

. . and wow . . just wow . . ! !

. .sigh . .

. .thanks ETP . . what a wonderful, feel good article ( as are all of yours ) . .

East Texas Parrothead wrote:limeinone: Thanks. You rock. See the email about the Texoma Cycling Center. I guess we're going to coordinate all the "extra trick out stuff" through them.

Cross your phins and pheathers!

Hey, I just spoke to Brian at Texcoma and made a donation to the cause. It was real easy and Brian is a very nice guy.
Thanks for all you're doin.

Liminone wrote:

East Texas Parrothead wrote:limeinone: Thanks. You rock. See the email about the Texoma Cycling Center. I guess we're going to coordinate all the "extra trick out stuff" through them.

Cross your phins and pheathers!

Hey, I just spoke to Brian at Texcoma and made a donation to the cause. It was real easy and Brian is a very nice guy.
Thanks for all you're doin.

THANKS, Liminone! You rock. Brian is one cool kid. I just adore him.

Here's his photo. He's the one in the middle. In blue. That's Chris Powers to his left (the tall guy). Those two represent some really hot shoes in the cycling world! The guy in black and white is part of the Dallas crew. Boy, he hung tough Saturday to finish with Chris and Brian. He is a hoss.

Thank you, EPT, once again for restoring my faith in human kind!
Random acts of kindness may take a little effort...but the rewards are great!

East Texas Parrothead wrote:

Liminone wrote:

East Texas Parrothead wrote:limeinone: Thanks. You rock. See the email about the Texoma Cycling Center. I guess we're going to coordinate all the "extra trick out stuff" through them.

Cross your phins and pheathers!

Hey, I just spoke to Brian at Texcoma and made a donation to the cause. It was real easy and Brian is a very nice guy.
Thanks for all you're doin.

THANKS, Liminone! You rock. Brian is one cool kid. I just adore him.

Here's his photo. He's the one in the middle. In blue. That's Chris Powers to his left (the tall guy). Those two represent some really hot shoes in the cycling world! The guy in black and white is part of the Dallas crew. Boy, he hung tough Saturday to finish with Chris and Brian. He is a hoss.

We have a lot of mountain bikers at my work and I think the Black and white guy owns a couple of those bikes too. Really nice to put a face to Brian's voice.
Keep caring....We need a lot more of that these days.
Liminone

East Texas Parrothead wrote:There’s something very comforting about the capacity of the human heart to do good things.

Yes there is, and this group does some pretty good things.

WOW Terry---make me cry----but good tears.

springparrot wrote:WOW Terry---make me cry----but good tears.

Amen and absolutely!!! This is a such a heartwarming story, thank you, Terry!!

East Texas Parrothead,

I posted a couple of days ago that I was going to go to my local cycling shop and try and pick up so stuff. Well I went and they are focusing more on winter sports now. I would still like to donate. Can I send a check to you or is there someone I can call and donate to (I thought you had mentioned a bike shop that you knew). Let me know when you have a second.

By the way I loved the column. It brought tears to my eyes.

Tracy/Buffettbear

buffettbear wrote:East Texas Parrothead,

I posted a couple of days ago that I was going to go to my local cycling shop and try and pick up so stuff. Well I went and they are focusing more on winter sports now. I would still like to donate. Can I send a check to you or is there someone I can call and donate to (I thought you had mentioned a bike shop that you knew). Let me know when you have a second.

By the way I loved the column. It brought tears to my eyes.

Tracy/Buffettbear

Texoma Cycling Center. Ask for BRIAN WYRICK. He's the kid from here who's riding for MSU and working at the shop. I got my bike there and limeinone has already called and said it was pretty simple. Here's their toll free number. 866-723-7272

Remember to ask for Brian. If he's not there, leave your name and number and hel'll get back to you.

THANKS! It feels good to do good, huh?

I finally touched base with RhumChum's contact for the kid's family.

The guy goes to church with the kid ... and has spoken to the kid's mom.

We're good to go.

Bill! You rock! The 12 Function Cycle Computer arrived via the mailboat today!

Thanks for being such a great human. I'm proud to know ya, buddy.

I'm keeping everyone's information. There *will* be thank you notes. I may have to write them, but I'll get the kid to sign 'em.

Ya'll reinforce my belief in the capacity of the human heart to do great things, given the opportunity.

East Texas Parrothead wrote:The 12 Function Cycle Computer arrived via the mailboat today!

Cool - I hope he likes it. Our oldest has had the same model on his bike for about a year now, and we haven't had any problems with it at all...