On June 3, 2008 I woke up to my phone blowing up with calls from the bike shop. "Dude, Clive was hit and killed on his bike over there on pleasant Green road." I couldn't believe what I had heard. I just rode with him the day before. Clive kicked my ass that day. Made me climb and climb. I hope that he knew that.
Made my girlfriend get up and drive me out there to see for myself. I didn't believe it as I stood right there where he died, same place where I have ridden many, many times before.
Now it's the day after Clive's memorial service, and I have had some time to reflect on the whole last week and what I have learned since his untimely death. I would like to share some thoughts since this ugly tragedy. Trying to follow suit of many others who were his co-workers and friends who wrote about Clive on his website http://www.clivesweeney.com/ by starting when I met the man. I worked the past couple of summers at the local bike shop here in Durham. At times, Clive would bring in his old trusty steed he rode for service, advice or just to look around. At First glimps of the man, he was tall and looked like he knew his way around a weight room. Since that time, I started working at West Village where I saw Clive almost every day I worked. Most evenings he would walk in the front door wearing a black T-shirt, black ball cap, terminator style wrap around sun glasses and strutted. I think he strutted because he was ok with who he was and what he did. Hindsite, I know this now.
Finally after months about talking about bikes, bodybuilding, workingout, and more bikes I got up the courage to see if this gentle giant wanted to go for a spin. Here is the exact route we took:
I picked up Clive at his place and we set out for our ride. We stopped at the Carr Mill for water and a breather then headed back. During our ride, we chatted a bit and Clive told me that he hasen't ridden with anyone in over a year. Funny, I thought to myself. A guy like this who rides every day, rides alone? I think Clive had a great time, even tho later after his death I got an email from a friend who knew Clive sent me this link to his blog. http://www.metaconverse.com/2008/05/19/the-online-peleton/ Read it and come back here...... ...... Ok, sure there were times during our ride where I had to soft pedal to wait for the ole' guy, but some days we just don't feel good and the big plus was that he never quit. Many a day with my teamates I get dropped, so I just try harder and that is what Clive did also.
Two weeks passed since that ride and I gave him a call for a chance to redeem himself. Note this: I called him about 2pm on Saturday the 31st, I live 2 miles from him, and it took me 6 minutes to get there(you do the math). He was waiting for me at the front door (chomping at the bit). This time I gave him the controls and we headed out for a brutal hill climb session that I won't forget. We hit Mt. Siani and climbed that sucker 2 times, mind you this is at the end of our 30 miler. We didn't just climb it twice, he had to add in a little extra loop thru a sub division on Taproot Rd. This is all ups and downs. I wish I wrote all this earlier so he could feel good like he made me feel. Anyway, Clive gave it back for what was dished out too him with a positive attitude and a look of happiness that we cyclist get after a good workout.
I will truly miss you Clive. I think you and I would of put a many miles down togethor.
CLIVE STRONG!
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