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Dark Days

By Slate Olson • 5th November 2012 06:48am • Posted in Misc

This is probably my least favorite week of the year. The shorter, darker days that accompany the clocks 'falling back' always puts me off a bit. Suddenly it's dark both coming and going, and it takes me a full week to adjust.

This year, the first dark ride into the office on Monday will be even a bit darker than usual. A year ago November 5, we all lost a friend of the bike. Most of us didn't know it, and until I picked up a panicked phone-call, I had never heard of Robert Hyndman. But ever since I got the call from Ben Lieberson that somebody had "crashed pretty bad" on what was otherwise a terrific group ride from Santa Monica into the beautiful canyons overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it has been a steady reminder of appreciation.

On a gorgeous route that I myself had done with a group earlier that spring, friends, family and customers rode together as part of the one-anniversary celebration for our partner shop, Bike Effect. When Robert crashed as he was descending Los Flores Canyon Road all feeling of celebration instantly extinguished. By all account it was immediately clear that this accident, this horrible and inexplicable accident was just that, an accident.

A sad reality is that this sport we love, this life we have chosen of the bike, can have real consequence. As fans we have witnessed it in professional racing. Many of us have likely ridden past a white 'ghost' bike as we've gone through the city. There are ample reminders about how the beauty and tragedy blur.

In talking with Robert's friends and family since, I have learned how Robert lived and loved the bike. I have been reminded that what we get to do is special. And that the bicycle brings us all so, so much to love about ourselves and all that we encounter.

Be safe out there.

Comments

Luke Mysse

5th November 2012 06:25pm

It's hard to believe it's been a year since our dear friend Roberto left too soon. I wasn't on the ride that day but I still remember getting the panicked text messages. You never think when you talk to someone that it might be the last time you ever speak.

On a birthday ride a few years ago he had presented me with the polka dot jersey (I'm wearing it in the photo above). He knew how much I hated climbing. It was only fitting that I wore it on his memorial ride. I remember a couple other riders came up behind me that day and gave me a push to help me get up that beast of a hill (Los Flores). At one point I had to ask a guy to stop because I was crying to the point where it had become hard to see. The cycling community has an amazing way of helping each other heal…

Throughout this year I've had moments where I really miss my friend. It might be on a ride or when I realize that I can't call him in on a project to help me out. As I remembered his passing over the weekend I remember his unbelievable sense of humor. He would have given me crap for riding on the mountain bike Saturday instead of a road ride from his house. He was the glue that kept our riding group together.

Early today I was getting cleaned up after an early morning recovery ride. While shaving the legs I started crying and remember how much he used to raze me for not shaving. I would present all my excuses and reasoning to which he would simply reply "if you ride, you shave". When I finally did start shaving the legs I sent him a picture of a bad cut saying "this is why, this is why I don't do this". His response "you shave like you ride…amateur"

I miss you friend, your wit, your talent and that booming laugh.

Josh Caffrey

6th November 2012 05:43am

RIP

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