Maybe you do, maybe you don’t
February 20, 2016 § 25 Comments
Not everyone has this problem.
It’s 6:00 PM on a Friday night. I’m alone. The one thing I’d really like to do right now is have a drink. This is different from people who just want to “have a drink.” When I say “have a drink” what I mean is “Have a whole bunch of drinks, tonight, tomorrow, and every day henceforth until blotto forever.”
There are a bunch of reasons not to do that. But you know what’s more important than reasons not to do it? People.
There are people who, wittingly or not, are my guides. Some are people I barely even know and watch from a distance, awestruck. One is a guy named David Wells. He’s from the East Coast, and showed up one day in the South Bay full of good cheer.
He did the local rides, established himself as someone who knew how to pedal a bike, got fitter week by week, and then joined Team Lizard Collectors. We all figured that the way he rode, he’d be ripping up the local races as soon as January rolled around.
But he didn’t. Instead, he took a scary level of fitness and shared it. He created a ride called “Thursday Night Thunder” where people of any ability level can get help learning the skills that we leaky prostate profamateurs have had for decades and done a lousy job of teaching.
At TNT you can practice descending, jumps, attacks, recovery, tough intervals, and friendly competition all done with kindness, encouragement, instruction, and enthusiasm. If you are riding with Dave and you’re not having fun then you’re doing it wrong.
There are so many club riders who want to improve but who don’t want to do it in the race crucible, or who don’t want to risk life and limb to learn how to maneuver in a group, and there are so few expert riders who will regularly carve out time to nurture, teach, encourage, improve, and enthuse.
What does Dave’s brand of human excellence and goodness have to do with Friday night and nothing between me and the refrigerated shelves at the supermarket around the corner?
As it turns out, everything.
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Cycling in the South Bay 
Any reason not to drink is a good reason. 26 years addicted to not drinking.
Nice addiction.
Big happy for you.
Heart.
Agree nicest guy! Great smile 😃
Yep!
A beautiful piece; An age old story, a dark subject, with an unexpected plot twist of good triumphs over evil, written so simply and honestly. Thank you.
You’re welcome.
HeavyD or SunnyD, the dude is a breath of fresh air! #justinbieber
Breath of fresh air + hammer to skull.
You got it: the disease is always there and only in remission by the grace and goodness of others. The silver lining is that it forces us to develop and appreciate relationships with awesome people, like the gentleman you describe. Thanks, another great post.
I don’t share the paths most often mentioned in these discussions. The only thing I can rely on when I miss my old friend is the knowledge that we had a fundamental, biological falling-out– and no shallow, if fond, reminiscing will change that.
Yup, the shelves are cold, the stores are open late, and the party lights are on, but I know there is no fun & joy for me there. That makes things simple.
I’m lucky. I forget to be grateful, too.
“Expressing thanks” for that, and for a place to discuss, too.
Good work, W-man.
When you can surround yourself with friends and others who make you want to do better, then you’ve done it right.
Being of service to others…important stuff! Try to help others out- it’s a good goal
Thanks, Casey.
Dave sound’s like a quality human being that I’d appreciate rolling down the road with. 11 year’s of not drinking has not only saved my life but made me a lot easier to be around. For some people anyway.
He’s a good dude.
Heavy D came to us at Expo in much the same way. He showed up one day with his positive attitude and willingness to learn and help others. He was a great addition to our team and to the cycling community overall. I think his impact was not known until he left CT and headed your way. We miss him back east and would take him back in a minute. In my view you are lucky to have him and enjoy all that he brings to your team. If you really want to see Heavy D shine have him be the MC of your local races…thanks Heavy for being part of Expo…
We got him, we’re keeping him!
Great story dude. Little things like this, new friends on a group ride – it gives me faith in the future of humanity. Perhaps there is hope after all!
More than hope, there are good outcomes.
Good for you, my friend. Keep showing up. Thirty one and a half years sober here, living the dream.
Nice. For me all I have to do is not drink now. So, one second sober. Make that two.
Hey Seth,
You got this!
Because the alternative is that it’s got me.