A Wookies return.....

💙💚💛💜 I’ve always known about Frank’s blog, but I told him I would never read it. I thought it was important for him to have a forum where he could safely complain about the mean wife who kept him on such a strict diet and made him exercise when he wanted to veg. It’s taken me over two weeks and boxes of tissues, but I just finished reading it. The most wonderful thing about it is the level of support and encouragement he got from you guys. So many times over the past 5 years he has told me how lucky he was to have the bike community behind him. You guys are what kept him going for so long. You spurred him on to ride more, suffered alongside him when things were bad, and celebrated his victories. I love you all and will never be able to thank you enough for all you did for him. 💗🤎💛💚
 
the Wookiee's wife said:
💙💚💛💜 I’ve always known about Frank’s blog, but I told him I would never read it. I thought it was important for him to have a forum where he could safely complain about the mean wife who kept him on such a strict diet and made him exercise when he wanted to veg. It’s taken me over two weeks and boxes of tissues, but I just finished reading it. The most wonderful thing about it is the level of support and encouragement he got from you guys. So many times over the past 5 years he has told me how lucky he was to have the bike community behind him. You guys are what kept him going for so long. You spurred him on to ride more, suffered alongside him when things were bad, and celebrated his victories. I love you all and will never be able to thank you enough for all you did for him. 💗🤎💛💚
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He was a wonderful human and great asset to our local cycling community. Memories of times spent with Frank are etched in my mind. Many will never understand the good he did in his life.

We must carry on with him in our hearts and do the best we can to be good & do good. Especially when we are tempted to do the opposite.
 
the Wookiee's wife said:
💙💚💛💜 I’ve always known about Frank’s blog, but I told him I would never read it. I thought it was important for him to have a forum where he could safely complain about the mean wife who kept him on such a strict diet and made him exercise when he wanted to veg. It’s taken me over two weeks and boxes of tissues, but I just finished reading it. The most wonderful thing about it is the level of support and encouragement he got from you guys. So many times over the past 5 years he has told me how lucky he was to have the bike community behind him. You guys are what kept him going for so long. You spurred him on to ride more, suffered alongside him when things were bad, and celebrated his victories. I love you all and will never be able to thank you enough for all you did for him. 💗🤎💛💚
Click to expand...
@the Wookiee's wife I'm glad that you were strong enough to read his blog from this journey and get a sense of the love we all had for Frank as a community. You mention that we are what kept him going for so long, and while that may be true I know in my case he gave me strength. Being his friend during his battle manifested itself in many forms over the last 5 years in particular for me.

Many days we were on the trails crying - I think we rode 4 miles in 3 hours once! These weren't "rides" per se, it was about two friends being together, having real conversations about life, fears about our own mortality, unresolved BS (literally BS), reliving happy experiences and memories. These helped me put everyday life BS into perspective.

Some of the days had nothing to do with the bike, but involved another passion we both shared - going to the range. He was like an 8 year old boy when we were there - never without a smile! Man he loved talking about his weapons, and would be giddy sending me picks of his N+1 for that part of his life. I think he was even more excited when I would share my new toys with him!

Often times late night convos about his frustrations with how he felt, concerns about his numbers moving in the wrong direction, trepidation about medication changes, concern over things in the house that needed to be fixed that he just couldn't do anymore physically, etc. were what was needed. And that was OK.

Last September was a time that I really needed support. My wife passed so suddenly, I was lost, shocked. I was surprised to see Frank standing in the receiving line to see me at her wake. I couldn't believe that Frank drove himself up to her services alone - a time when he physically probably shouldn't have - to see me, and just be there for me. The love, strength and support he gave to me, despite everything he was dealing with, meant the world to me. His ability to show compassion to me in the sea of chaos he was going through showed a focus and determination that most do not have.

While most of what you have read in Frank's blog gives you a sense of the how the community has supported him and kept him going, I wanted to share a couple points about how he kept me going. I will continue to lean on him and his spirit - not for just the hard times, but also the great times as well.

Brian
 
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Apparently, I was too subtle in my “Take the Wookiee for a ride” location.
So… here’s a softball for ya. Now get out there and take him for a ride!
IMG_7767.jpeg

The Wookiee is visible 🔍 in this photo.
 
Juggernaut said:
Apparently, I was too subtle in my “Take the Wookiee for a ride” location.
So… here’s a softball for ya. Now get out there and take him for a ride!
View attachment 263397
The Wookiee is visible 🔍 in this photo.
Click to expand...
You don't seem to realize you're dealing with an aging demographic and the first thing to go is our sight...I can barely see there's a bike with a weird fork in that picture!
 
jdog said:
He was a wonderful human and great asset to our local cycling community. Memories of times spent with Frank are etched in my mind. Many will never understand the good he did in his life.

We must carry on with him in our hearts and do the best we can to be good & do good. Especially when we are tempted to do the opposite.
Click to expand...
Speaking of doing good - the wonderful e-bike that you gave Frank is now at it's new home with Jake (Frank's chemo buddy). So now you're responsible for a second cancer patient being able to get out on the trails!
 
rottin' said:
@the Wookiee's wife I'm glad that you were strong enough to read his blog from this journey and get a sense of the love we all had for Frank as a community. You mention that we are what kept him going for so long, and while that may be true I know in my case he gave me strength. Being his friend during his battle manifested itself in many forms over the last 5 years in particular for me.

Many days we were on the trails crying - I think we rode 4 miles in 3 hours once! These weren't "rides" per se, it was about two friends being together, having real conversations about life, fears about our own mortality, unresolved BS (literally BS), reliving happy experiences and memories. These helped me put everyday life BS into perspective.

Some of the days had nothing to do with the bike, but involved another passion we both shared - going to the range. He was like an 8 year old boy when we were there - never without a smile! Man he loved talking about his weapons, and would be giddy sending me picks of his N+1 for that part of his life. I think he was even more excited when I would share my new toys with him!

Often times late night convos about his frustrations with how he felt, concerns about his numbers moving in the wrong direction, trepidation about medication changes, concern over things in the house that needed to be fixed that he just couldn't do anymore physically, etc. were what was needed. And that was OK.

Last September was a time that I really needed support. My wife passed so suddenly, I was lost, shocked. I was surprised to see Frank standing in the receiving line to see me at her wake. I couldn't believe that Frank drove himself up to her services alone - a time when he physically probably shouldn't have - to see me, and just be there for me. The love, strength and support he gave to me, despite everything he was dealing with, meant the world to me. His ability to show compassion to me in the sea of chaos he was going through showed a focus and determination that most do not have.

While most of what you have read in Frank's blog gives you a sense of the how the community has supported him and kept him going, I wanted to share a couple points about how he kept me going. I will continue to lean on him and his spirit - not for just the hard times, but also the great times as well.

Brian
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Frank seriously valued your friendship and the ease with which he could share his experiences with you. He was so very upset when Stephanie passed. His heart went out to you - his own condition made it so much more real, and he was so concerned that he didn't know what to say to make it better. I now know that there's nothing anybody can say to make it better. 💔💔💔
 
the Wookiee's wife said:
Speaking of doing good - the wonderful e-bike that you gave Frank is now at it's new home with Jake (Frank's chemo buddy). So now you're responsible for a second cancer patient being able to get out on the trails!
Click to expand...
Please ask Jake to create a Login here and post up when he needs a tour guide. Many of us here will be glad to help him out.
 
jdog said:
Please ask Jake to create a Login here and post up when he needs a tour guide. Many of us here will be glad to help him out.
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I'll tell him. He'll be doing "hood loops" for a while. His bike rack won't accommodate the e-bike, and he doesn't have a tow hitch on his car to use Frank's rack. He had to borrow Frank's car to get the bike to his house. He's currently looking to find someone to install a hitch on his car.
 
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