Start: Bay Road Bikes
When: Saturday, 2 February 2008 9:00am
Duration: about 3 hours
Dear all,
On Friday January 11th, 2008, long time ECV member Thomas Murray died at his home in Gloucester. Tom was 39 years old, a lifelong Gloucester resident and founding member of Essex County Velo. My written eulogy for Tom, which was published on the club website last week, drew a number of responses from members who were kind enough to share their memories of Tom. Everyone echoed my sentiments, namely that Tom was one of the kindest, most honest guys one could ever hope to meet and also one helluva riding partner. More than a few of these Tom anecdotes involved tales of epic rides through ice, snow, and frostbite inducing cold, so it seems only fitting that we gather together to honor Tom's memory in the dead of winter on bicycles.
The ride is scheduled for this Saturday, February 2nd at 9:00 am. We will depart from Bay Road Bikes in Hamilton promptly at 9 and follow one of the winter routes Tom and I used to travel regularly back in the days when we were both racing a full schedule and training like madmen through the winter. Plan on 3 hours of saddle time, though common sense and the mood of the group will dictate our exact return time. Following the ride we will adjourn to the cozy confines of the Black Cow to have lunch, share stories, and raise a glass to Tom. Icy road postponement date is Sunday, February 3rd at 9 am. If the roads are devoid of ice and the temps above 15 degrees F, we're riding as those were the criteria for "go/no go" decisions for winter rides with Tom.
Tom's final wish was that contributions be made in his name to the Cape Ann Animal Aid Association in Gloucester, so the donation for the ride will be $10, which will be aggregated and donated to the shelter on behalf of ECV.
I hope to see many of you who shared saddle time with Tom over the years will join us!
Sincerely,
Chris Benoit