Today's ride was back and forth and then out to Owen's Funeral HOme for the memorial for Fritz, who connected me with my Gazelle and was in other countless little ways a positive thing.
He was one of those guys who listened really well - and paid attention, too - and was definitely on the side of the little guy. He's the one who told me - when others were saying "be careful, start slow" - that I should go 17-18 for that ride across Indiana.

So different people got up to talk. The "emcee" of sorts asked "Susan" to come up. She said that many of us wouldn't know who she was. She had been in college wanting to ride her Schwinn LETour but needing to replace the rotten tires. Yellow Pages. Schwinn. "Can you put these tires on for me?" "Can't you put them on?" So Fritz taught her to install tires, and invited her to the next club ride... more stories,and at some point the light went on in my head. Susan - Notorangelo . RAAM and more. And Fritz got her started.

More people, more stories and the last guy eclipsed them all with the story of why he had to leave his correctional systems job for bicycles. (Did I mention he rooted for the "little guy" -- even if the little guy was somebody we'd be afraid of?) It redefined "unsung heroes" and I left thinking that you just never know.

.. that guy/gal next to you might just be a recovering hero. Be nice to each other.

The other lesson: the little stuff you do every day turns into big stuff when you're not looking. Make good habits.