Last night, I went to an event that reinforced something I said over 2 years ago, about the cycling community in Kansas City. What I said was, the people that ride bikes in this city are second to none in the progressive support it provides in the promotion of cycling, in whatever form it may be. I have met so many people who ride that are just as passionate as I am, and in their own way, contribute as individuals on a level that I can only aspire to. So when those folks give their approval of what it is you are doing, some aspirations are worth reaching for.
Last night, my two sons, Thomas and Christian and myself accepted the invitation of Team X Racing, and attended their awesome party at the even more awsome, Re:Verse, down on the Plaza. The event introduced their racing team, their cool sponsors, like Paceline, FRS+, Trek, SVEDKA and Nike, and served some of the best veggies I have tasted in a while. (Man, I just said I liked the vegetables…I am starting to sound like a cyclist…)
We kinda found out about the party at the last minute and we wanted to go to support our good friends and Team X members, Dean Parker, (I would like to be a "FOG" like him one day. Dean took to us long before we knew what a
Team X was.) and Patrick Robinson, who is also the Treasurer and a board member for the Major Taylor Foundation of Greater Kansas City. I figured that we would go cheer for our friends and just hang.
Team X was.) and Patrick Robinson, who is also the Treasurer and a board member for the Major Taylor Foundation of Greater Kansas City. I figured that we would go cheer for our friends and just hang.
And thats what we did. I saw a lot of folks we knew (Like Walt, MTFGKC Board member Mark Thomas and wife, Teresa ), met some we did not, and watched my two boys settle into a comfort zone that let me know they were having a good time. I could tell that Thomas was like, overdosing… on that racing high, nose open, heart pounding, loving the atmosphere and soaking in the information. I don’t often get to see them interacting in settings such as this. And it made me feel good too see that everyone seemed to enjoy the boys, too.
The team presentation by Team X front man and host, Bill Marshall was cool. He kept the crowd loose and gave good info about the team and it’s sponsors. He did his thing and turned the floor over to Mark Thomas , who, as the faithful and productive guy he is, made brief comments about MTFGKC.Bill and Mark then did the unexpected and made a wonderful donation to the foundation in the form of two beautiful Rudy Project helmets and made the mistake of asking me to say a few words to the folks, which I stumbled thru. But my heart swelled on the inside, cause it was an act of approval from those who really do not have to give it. And they did something for us, when the event was really about them. That is classy, y’all. And that is worth aspiring for.
Had a great time, made some new friends, got inspirition to keep working at it, and will repay the cycling community in this city back for it’s faith and support, by redoubling our efforts. Later