I’m nearly on the road heading back to Kansas.  I’ve been gone over a month, which sort of surprises me, but not really.  I’m gonna miss hanging out with Vincent, but I have plenty of my own stuff to do before I get to start riding my bike again seriously.  I’ve sort of been taking some time off the past couple weeks, so I guess I’ll call that my off-season.

Bromont is going to miss Jack probably the most.  They are best buddies.  Bed hogs, for sure, but they get along great.

It’s only 7 to 8 hours back to Topeka, so it’s not that long of a drive.  I actually enjoy it.  It is super windy today here in Arvada.  Guess it’s gonna be sidewind most of the way.

Trudi drove the InSight out here, but I’m “inheriting” Vincent’s diesel van, that is full of a couple furnances and a/c units that I inherited too.  It’s going to be a real learning experience, driving this van.  Any car that Vincent has driven, especially for 15 years, has a lot little tricks to keep it moving down the road.  Fun tricks, but tricks, none-the-less.  It’s diesel, but has the 7.3 liter engine, not the 6.0 like my van.  It is a better engine, but you never know.  The van is extended, so it has another 3 feet or so at the back.

Okay, should probably get driving and not get back too late.

I’m gonna miss these views.

Vincent and I did a bike path ride yesterday. Kind of interesting some times.

Vincent cleaning grouts lines in a suit.

I’m essentially valueless with my fingers destroyed. There are a lot of nerve ends in fingers, I’ve learned.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I’ve said it before, but it never gets old.  Any gathering where a bunch of friends get together, talk, eat, talk some more, eat some more, is okay by me.

I never really think much about the meaning of the day.  I just enjoy it.  A few times in the past, I’ve been in usual places or situations, and I assign more thought to the meaning of the day.

But, I’m at home and everything should be good.  But, I haven’t really quit thinking about Steve Hed and his death.

I shouldn’t be so wrapped up with it.  Like I posted yesterday, we didn’t have a close relationship.  Or more accurate, hardly any interaction at all.  But that is what I’ve been thinking about.

I feel bad because I always assumed that eventually we were going to cross paths in a more meaningful way and I would get my chance to sit down with him, hopefully not just once, and get to know him.  I feel a loss because of what I missed out on.

I’ve known of Steve Hed for a really long time.  I’ve maybe said 50 words to him my whole life.  But, we sort of ran into us other all over the country.  I’d see him at a bike show and make eye contact or give each other a nod, but for some unexplained reason we just never made that meaningful contact.

I’ll never get the chance to hear his view of many things, not just cycling related topics, all life topics.  He was a treasure chest of knowledge, just there for the taking.  A visionary of the sport that acted instead of just thinking.   And I just walked by, multiple times. And now that opportunity has passed.  And I missed out.  I blew it.

I have very few regrets in my life.  A few, as everyone does.  I try to live my life in such a way that I avoid regrets.  You do this by exploring opportunities and not letting obviously ones pass you by.  This was one of those obvious ones.

I guess, or more accurately, I hope, I learned something here.  When you hope to know someone, then make it a point to do just that.  And don’t procrastinate.  Don’t procrastinate in life in general.  You never know when those such opportunities are gone.  And then you have regrets.

Live is too short to make these mistakes.  We need to understand that and acknowledge that is the case.  We shouldn’t take it for granted.

Thanksgiving is pretty much an American holiday.   And we are all the fortunate ones.  If you’re reading this, you’re one of the chosen ones, at least compared  to the majority of people on this planet.  Don’t forget this.  Especially when judging the less fortunate.  The less fortunate are the majority.  We are the minority.  Live life with that in mind and you’ll appreciate it much more.

I hope everyone gets a little time to spend a little bit of the day riding their bikes.  It allows us to appreciate all we have.  Enjoy the day!

Pies in the oven.

A little tribute to Steve Hed on the Thanksgiving Day ride.