Goodbye King

The world lost an incredible guy today.

I feel truly lucky to have know Rich Bircumshaw as a coworker and friend.  I'm still pretty speechless at the whole thing, so I've decided to "retweet" my buddy Corbu Stathes' post from today.  Rich, Corbu and the other guys in the Clear Channel Sports Grotto were a pretty tight knit group, so it's a bit hard to see the leader, The King if you will, leave us.  Here's Corbu's post, and check out his blog HERE.

"I've never had a friend die before. 

I've had relatives pass away as well as people I knew in passing or was close to at one time, but never someone whom I had just seen two weeks ago. 

That changed last night when Rich Bircumshaw passed away after suffering a stroke in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

The death of "the King" as he was known around the radio stations he worked for, was sudden, unexpected and knocked me off of my feet. 

Rich, who absolutely hated being called Rick and was often, was one of the greatest guys I have ever met. Sure, he could be a real S.O.B. if he was pissed off at you, but if he cared about you at all, then he cared about you forever. 

He had a fuse that could be lit by a passing breeze and a wit that was even quicker. Anybody who has met Rich, heard him on the radio, or attended a function hosted by him has smiled at least once because of something he said.

Whether it was hearing that Cecil Sapp was "a grown man, dog" as he scored a touchdown or he deemed someone "worth the climb", Rich always had a way with words that could leave you shaking your head while your lips creased into a grin. His voice was truly unique in its sound and the message it delivered.

Because of his work as the News Director at Clear Channel Northern Colorado and as the Voice of the CSU Rams, Rich was known and revered all over Ft. Collins, Greeley, and all points in between. He related to the big-timers just the same as the common man or woman, giving them respect if they deserved it and letting them know if they didn't. 

For me, he was a mentor and an advocate. 
He was a part of many memorable and funny lunches.
He was a part of many lunches that were nothing but blowing off steam.
He was a bevy of quotes.
He was a belly of laughs.
He was a true friend if you were lucky enough to call him that. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Rich got up to Heaven and Peter read off the list of people as they walked in.
"Okay, next let's go to Rick Bircumshaw."
"Uh, it's Rich, Saint Pete."
"Oh, you're right, Rich."

Rich, you were awesome, man. You will always be missed and loved. 

The world is worse off without you."

End of week ramblings 4/17/09

Quickie EOWR this week, a big weekend ahead - but more on that later.  Let's get right at it.

All the headlines these days revolve around pirates and the sh!tty economy.  Luckily there's a gal like Susan Boyle sent to shock and awe all of us.

If you're not one of the 20 million people who have seen this video, click HERE.  Will someone please give this lady a truckfull of cash?

While on the subject of music, one of the best bands in 20 years has released a new song.

I saw these guys in Denver a couple years ago, and it was mindblowing.  And the only time I've ever gotten fired up and headed into the pit at a show.  Andrew and the boys have been hard at work in the studio and have a new song available for free download from their site.  Get it HERE, then rock your face off.

The trifecta of bachelor parties is set to kick off tomorrow night in Denver.  I'm betting it will only start off something like this:

And end up looking something like this:

Since we're all getting married this summer, and we're all standing up for each other - Dook, Hefe, and myself have chosen to join forces and get it knocked out all at once.  Probably a bit easier on the liver that way too.  

I'm off to close out the week before we put a huge dent in it tomorrow night.  Just gotta remember a change of pants and bail money.

Have a fall down weekend!  -H

End of week ramblings 4/10/09

Happy eggs, pastel colors, jelly beans, Jesus and rabbits weekend.

I understand the meaning of Easter - what I don't get is the relation to eggs and rabbits.  I'm sure there's a meaning, but to me, it's just another creepy dude at the mall in a costume making small kids cry.  And that sh!t is cheap, awesome entertainment.

Moving along, the days are longer and getting warmer, and I've gotten lazier and fatter.  Moving really takes it out of you.  I've not been on a bike in over a week and I can feel it in my lazy aches and pains.  My favorite position looks something like this:

Minus the shoes with buckles - anyone who knows me knows I rock the velcro shoes.  El Jefe mentioned starting up a post-workday Wednesday night ride - that sounds like a damn good idea.  

The official kickoff to velo-season kicks off tomorrow night in Denver:

It's the first year for AC in Denver and is shaping up to be quite a shindig.  Here's what it looked like in Minneapolis last weekend for AC3 in the Twin Cities

Party kicks off at 8p, for info & directions go HERE and then go there.  PBR, bikes, and cupcakes - can't go wrong.

So if you're off this weekend forgetting what you gave up for Lent, eating fish on Friday, or nibbling on Cadbury eggs, don't forget to send out invites for Easter dinner

It's the weekend - I'm drinkin' if you're buyin'.  -H

Happy Anniversary

76 years and 1 day ago, the masses took to the streets...

And thank God they did.  Prohibition ended 76 years ago today, back when the government was telling us what morals to believe and what was healthy for us, pre-Bush Administration.

Maybe you've heard this famous line from Super Awesome American Ben Franklin:

And if you needed further evidence from a higher power...

Did you need a reason to find out if beer goes along with bikes and big wheels, well - one need look no further than The Urban Assault Ride.  Josh & Jackie hit the road for the season, and kick it off in Tucson this year.  You can add in sunburns and saguaro, but it just doesn't fit with the "B3-scheme"

The UAR hits Tucson April 19th, grab your sunscreen, spandex and sign up HERE.

Back here Friday with a EOWR recap - for now, I'm off to celebrate an important anniversary.

Cheers, -H

End of week ramblings 4/3/09

Oh man, whatta week!  Let's get right at it.

One of the main reasons I started writing this here bloggins is to keep in touch with good friends and family, letting everyone know of all the excitement and crazy stuff we're always doing, the occasional nibble of bike advocacy info, and some naughty words & profanity sprinkled in for good measure.  

So if you come by for more of one than the other, or whatever you happen to stop by for, I certainly appreciate your support and even chance, momentary glance.  Much thanks.

It was moving week, and it was here and gone with the blink of an eye.  We had the huge support of Ang's Dad and my future brosef-in-law Jesse.  So we packed all the stuff in boxes and thew threw it on the truck and shipped it to the new joint.

I never will underestimate having a garage again.  We have a massive crawlspace that could double as a ranch-style house for a family of little people, but still - no man cave.  Angie's cool with me fixing and tuning the bikes on the kitchen table though.  

The big 2-8.  Pushing 30.  The thing that freaks me out the most about turning 28 today is not that I have gray hairs, or anything like that.  What's weird is having the 10 year high school reunion this summer.  I'm thinking of skipping the whole thing since we've all reconnected on FaceSpace...  Unless there's an open bar - then I'm there.

I'll be sleeping off a hangover the better part of tomorrow, so if it's not blizzarding where you're at (30's and snow in the NoCo tomorrow) then my best wishes to you in weekend bummer life avoidance.

Happy happy, -H