SmokinJoe,
Man, I sure hate to hear of your ailments! You are one of the riders who had an impact on me at a much earlier stage of my own evolution as a rider. You seemed to instinctively do everything right… most of all, you seemed to always be in good humor, pleasant to be around, and soothing the waters for everyone else. You were and still are a natural leader…
I’m not just talking about the rider in front of a group showing the way… I’m talking about the group member who influences each other individual, sets the tone and mood of the group before, during, and after the day’s ride. Laughter is always to be found whenever you’re present, great stories easily flow, good will abounds, and everyone is happy to be there! You do play well with others…
You are an amazingly skilled rider! You obviously know your limits and boundaries well, and while you do tend to crowd them often, you never seem to cross them… Far beyond my own comfort level and that of most others, you still manage to enjoy your own ride while never making others feel like they’re holding things up or dampening the ride… You ride well with others, too…
Whenever you call a ride, large numbers of riders always show up… You are a people magnet because everyone knows good experiences await those who do show-up and make the ride! Part of that has to do with the quality of person you are… Your personal strengths, engaging personality, and knowledge of ‘the road’ combine to set the tone for us even before arrival at the designated start location… I miss you, my friend, all of us do… We hope you have a speedy recovery and swift return to us…
DDT
