Thomson day recap
This past weekend was the Ronnie Thomson Memorial weekend festival in Macon Georgia. Folks from all over descended upon the Thomson facility in Macon Georgia to honor the life of a man that has given so very much to the cycling community. As most everyone knows by now, Ronnie passed away the weekend before what was to have been his birthday celebration. The weather forecast called for rain and low temps, but those that made the choice to show up and brave these conditions embodied what the cycling community really means. I have to stop and say that I'm pretty disapointed at those that said they were going to be there and choose instead to stay home. I can understand folks that couldn't afford to make the trip down from Nashvegas after having to suffer the hefty sum of a car repair bill like our friend the Marsupial, and I can understand the need to stay at home and take care of your four kids like our friend Flatfender. What I couldn't understand was how so many others could just turn a blind eye to it and just flat out not show up. All I'm going to say is that I found it pretty weak, no use to say anything further about it.
Friday afternoon, Hodge and I made the trip down to Macon. The temps were in the mid 50s, sun was shinning and if you hadn't listened to any weather gypsies, then you might think that it was going to be a nice weekend weatherwise. We got set up in our vendor tent and started to hang out w/ the folks that were there. One guy looked really familliar to me, like an old friend that I hadn't seen in a while that I didn't know was a cyclist. Turns out it was my old friend Thatcher Young, or Thwacker as we used to call him, he's the only person I know of on the planet whos skull is as thick as mine. Hodge, Jdubbya and I barely had enough daylight to catch a ride at the Thomson trails. I led everyone out, wanting to be out in front because I wanted to be the first to see the wood bridge that had thrown me into the earth a year ago breaking my collarbone. Once I saw it, I knew I had to roll it like it was nothing and not think twice about it, I committed and sure enough it was nothing. One year later and I can check that one off on the to do list. The rest of the trail was as fun and flowy as I had remembered. Unfortunately I broke a spoke on one of the clown wheels and it cut my riding short for the remainder of the weekend. ( I run my spokes in a twisted pattern on the Niner and didn't have any spokes long enough to replace it)
We partied until the later hours of the night, drinking SweetWater beer and listening to some really great music and enjoying the general all around dipshittery of the evening. I finally cashed in my chips around 12:30, just as it was starting to sprinkle, which turner into rain somewhere around 4:00 AM
Saturday morning arose to rainy skies, and an ever increasing wet field. I told Hodge that we needed to move the car out because things were going to get swampy in that field sooner than later. After laughing me off the first time I convinced him to do so with som helps from some well placed threats of beatings on my part if we got stuck later on. This turned out to be one of the better moves on my part of the weekend because everyone that made the decision to stay in that field needed some assitance in getting out by the end of the day.
The 420 race was awesome, probably some of the worst conditions I've ever seen people race in and for once I was happy to be running support instead of racing. Hodge took first place and was impressive as hell, perservering and not giving up in conditions that would have killed my spirits after the first lap. Thankfully with the help of Gore Tex and Capt. Morgans, I was able to stay dry and warm all day, even in the rain.
The memorial ceremonies were very touching and heartfelt, with the Thomson family sharing stories about Ronnie and what had promted him to start making bicycle parts that led to the original partnership with Klein. A cherry tree was to be planted at the trail head in his memory, and the agreement that we would keep the festival going next year. It's what Ronnie would have wanted.
I got to sit in and play a little music later on that night, it was almost too cold to even play my guitar and w/out any prior planning we didnt know that many songs to play (even though b/n the three of us we could probably win any name that tune contest) but it was fun anyway. Had some car trouble on the way home Sat night and finally got in w/ the help of Code Red to the house somewhere around midnight. Owe ya big on that one bro, thanks for saving our asses again.
So despite the rain, despite the cold weather and despite anything else, those that showed up had a great time and did right by showing their respects. I'm proud of everyone that came out and look forward to next years festival, really special thanks go out to OMBA for putting eveything together and to those that helped out in a big way like Bam Bam and Pebbles who cooked the most amazing dinner and Bruce Dickman for being the driving force behind hyping everything up. Rest in Peace Ronnie, we're not going to forget you down here.
POAS,
Matt-
Friday afternoon, Hodge and I made the trip down to Macon. The temps were in the mid 50s, sun was shinning and if you hadn't listened to any weather gypsies, then you might think that it was going to be a nice weekend weatherwise. We got set up in our vendor tent and started to hang out w/ the folks that were there. One guy looked really familliar to me, like an old friend that I hadn't seen in a while that I didn't know was a cyclist. Turns out it was my old friend Thatcher Young, or Thwacker as we used to call him, he's the only person I know of on the planet whos skull is as thick as mine. Hodge, Jdubbya and I barely had enough daylight to catch a ride at the Thomson trails. I led everyone out, wanting to be out in front because I wanted to be the first to see the wood bridge that had thrown me into the earth a year ago breaking my collarbone. Once I saw it, I knew I had to roll it like it was nothing and not think twice about it, I committed and sure enough it was nothing. One year later and I can check that one off on the to do list. The rest of the trail was as fun and flowy as I had remembered. Unfortunately I broke a spoke on one of the clown wheels and it cut my riding short for the remainder of the weekend. ( I run my spokes in a twisted pattern on the Niner and didn't have any spokes long enough to replace it)
We partied until the later hours of the night, drinking SweetWater beer and listening to some really great music and enjoying the general all around dipshittery of the evening. I finally cashed in my chips around 12:30, just as it was starting to sprinkle, which turner into rain somewhere around 4:00 AM
Saturday morning arose to rainy skies, and an ever increasing wet field. I told Hodge that we needed to move the car out because things were going to get swampy in that field sooner than later. After laughing me off the first time I convinced him to do so with som helps from some well placed threats of beatings on my part if we got stuck later on. This turned out to be one of the better moves on my part of the weekend because everyone that made the decision to stay in that field needed some assitance in getting out by the end of the day.
The 420 race was awesome, probably some of the worst conditions I've ever seen people race in and for once I was happy to be running support instead of racing. Hodge took first place and was impressive as hell, perservering and not giving up in conditions that would have killed my spirits after the first lap. Thankfully with the help of Gore Tex and Capt. Morgans, I was able to stay dry and warm all day, even in the rain.
The memorial ceremonies were very touching and heartfelt, with the Thomson family sharing stories about Ronnie and what had promted him to start making bicycle parts that led to the original partnership with Klein. A cherry tree was to be planted at the trail head in his memory, and the agreement that we would keep the festival going next year. It's what Ronnie would have wanted.
I got to sit in and play a little music later on that night, it was almost too cold to even play my guitar and w/out any prior planning we didnt know that many songs to play (even though b/n the three of us we could probably win any name that tune contest) but it was fun anyway. Had some car trouble on the way home Sat night and finally got in w/ the help of Code Red to the house somewhere around midnight. Owe ya big on that one bro, thanks for saving our asses again.
So despite the rain, despite the cold weather and despite anything else, those that showed up had a great time and did right by showing their respects. I'm proud of everyone that came out and look forward to next years festival, really special thanks go out to OMBA for putting eveything together and to those that helped out in a big way like Bam Bam and Pebbles who cooked the most amazing dinner and Bruce Dickman for being the driving force behind hyping everything up. Rest in Peace Ronnie, we're not going to forget you down here.
POAS,
Matt-
