In memory of our lost friend, Jon Lennard aka @itburns.
I bought a Road ID the day I learned of Jon Lennard’s death on August 12, 2013. Someone in the posts of the original announcement of his passing (below) mentioned he was identified by his Road ID. Of course he had a Road ID. What I knew of him made that perfect. So responsible and sensible.
The nature of this community is a strange thing; we don’t know each other by name, just by the handle we use. We are as anonymous as we choose to be. I only knew Jon’s real name because we’d emailed each other and he’d sent me a copy of Merckx 525 for Christmas. We were, without knowing each other formally, friends. At Velominati, I was always happy to see his crazy Avatar show up, that ridiculous image of Gollum in a Giro helmet. Who thinks of this stuff? Only @itburns. He and his spirit helped shape this community, like many others have. His voice stood out in the for his good nature, willingness to stir things up in a fun way, and always fostering a collegial atmosphere in the midst of controversy.
He was living La Vie Velominatus, throttle wide open. He was Rule #43 embodied .
Someone told me he was wearing his V-Kit; I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but the idea that he was wearing it at the time of his death chills my blood. I am honored beyond words that he wore it into his last moment but I’m ashamed that we weren’t strong enough to better protect him. The first death in V-Kit. It is a horrible thing that words can’t describe.
We all risk so much when we ride; we are at the mercy of the traffic around us, one moment’s inattention and it’s over. Jon’s death didn’t stop me riding, but it has me thinking of him every time I swing my leg over a top tube. This could be my last ride. Either make sure it isn’t, or make sure it’s worth it.
I miss you @itburns; I’m happy every time I see one of your old posts pop up in the archives. I will ride my bike tomorrow, on August 12, the anniversary of your passing, and I will think of you again. I’ll never forget you, my friend.
When you ride today, remember that this could be your last ride. Either make sure it isn’t, or make sure it’s worth it.
Vive la Vie Velominatus, and go with Merckx, my brothers and sisters.
He also has a Facebook Group set up by his friends that gets regular updates on friends reminding us of how awesome he was. Check it out: Shuttle’s Velominati Hall of Fame.
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I came upon the community after Jon's passing, but like many others, I've seen and read many of his posts. Even I feel that knot in my stomach today.
"This could be my last ride. Either make sure it isn't, or make sure it's worth it."
I'm not sure that truer words have been written, either about cycling or life in general. Thank you @frank.
Jon @ITBURNS was a master of the Haiku. In his honor (and thinking about the memorial cogal):
Wind and rain lashing
A steep hill keeps on upward
Legs will not fail me
@HHHeartache
Very, very excellent but in true @itburns fashion I will modify it just a bit with tongue in cheek a la our Austin Cogal:
Wind and rain lashing
A steep hill keeps on upward
Fuck, another flat
Only through posts did I meet @itburns but immediately fell in love with his handle to the point of using it in situations, like after a frozen ride, in the shower "itburns" comes out of my mouth. After he was gone his genius and humanity became the stuff of legend to those like me who need to spend time with the person rather than the avatar to truly appreciate them. How great to have had a conversation with the man who dreamed up Gollum in a helmet? Did he equate the Precious with his ride? We will never know.
All this said to make the point that through his loss I have grown to appreciate @all here and wish that the world was a smaller place so that we could meet in person. The 2 cogals I have made have been stellar because without exception the community that emanates from these glowing screens is the best.
To all, ride safe and @Buck is there a story to that pithy edit?
@Rob
See post number 192 on this thread (next to last one).
http://www.velominati.com/guest-article/the-austin-texas-cogal/
As for @itburns, to paraphrase the Bard, Ride on Brother, for
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that freely rides and lives his V with me
Shall be my brother."
Very nice to see him remembered so well here - many of us in Austin and Houston (and, I'm sure, further afield) will be riding or raising a glass to him today.
Cheers!
- Tony
RIP Jon Lennard. I didn't know you, but here that does not matter one bit.
Truth!
BTW: When in H'town, Jon used to get off work, grab his bike and cycle from his home to Memorial Park and do a quick 20 circuits of the Picnic (1 mile) loop. He was killed crossing the road at the lights on Memorial park @ the bike trail to get there.
I have suggested that cyclists in Houston gather at the Picnic Loop at 5.00 pm and do the 20-miles, followed by a beverage in memory of Jon
I have been busy and have only quickly skimmed the V posts of late, but of course, I need to take the time to honour a friend from afar. @itburns, Jon Lennard, was one of the few (many more that I expected) that had taken the time to message me when I was setting up my little bike business. I never got to ride with him in person, but after 12 August 2013, he rode with me on my very next ride.
@itburns Cheers to you!
Seeing this post makes me realize just how lucky I am to be alive after my incident with the motorhome in the 2nd Annual Bay Area Cogal.
Definitely gone but not forgotten. I didn't know him, but I'll miss @itburns nonetheless.