Being recognized as one of a select few at 20th his PMC

April 2, 2014

Hi,

As many of you know, our dear friend Ray Acheson passed away unexpectedly last year. He was a great friend and an inspiration – a gentle man made of iron.

One of his most memorable sayings while sitting on the bench at Peet’s after a ride was “that was almost as good as the Mother’s Day ride”. He would say it often, and always with a twinkle in his eye.

For that reason we have chosen the Saturday before Mother’s Day (May 10th) to hold a ride in his honor. We will meet at 8:00am at Peet’s in Wellesley. We will ride the Concord / Carlisle route, and perhaps add a few Ray detours along the way. A pre-determined route, properly marked and followed would be out of character. A familiar yet random route, with at least one unexpected stop, some debate, and perhaps even getting lost would be more like it. Starting on time is unlikely. All are welcome.

In Ray’s memory, we will suggest some very Ray-like behaviors for the ride (thanks Dave Schatz for the idea):

– carry a full water bottle but do not drink it…ever…not even once…during or after the ride

– wear a jersey with rips and scars (the original red, white, blue HPG for the old timers in the group)

– use tubes that have been patched at least 17 times

– put your heaviest tools in your saddle bag so that it sags down to your rear tire (I’ll spare everyone the imagery that Dave shared, but you can use your imagination)

– no booties

– your bike must not be clean

– your chain should have dirt and some rust

– if it’s raining, dress as if it is warm and sunny and don’t mention the rain

– if it’s cold, dress as if it is warm and sunny and don’t mention the cold

– if it’s hot, dress as if it’s warm and sunny and don’t mention the heat

– do not stretch before, during or after the ride. it’s best if your muscles are so tight that you can barely lift your leg over the saddle

– bonus points if you suffered a boxing injury as a young man, carried a severe injury for decades, finally submit to surgery and then continue riding as if nothing ever happened, going on your rides with us while having with a large battery powered medical device hidden in your bike jersey pumping antibiotics into your veins

– more bonus points if you show up with severe pain and swelling from gout and do not mention it until we notice that you need help getting off your bicycle

– and ride like Ray, the toughest guy ever

Hope you can join us. If you can, please think of some Ray stories to share. I know that his oldest bike/run friends – Walter, Chip and Steve will have many. His grandson Travis will be joining us – carrying the torch for the family.

Tom

ps – while Ray volunteered eagerly and raised lots of money for charity, this is not a charity ride. It is simply a ride among friends remembering a special man.