Crusaders remember Brett with silence, spirit, and a good party
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor-in-Chief) on October 29th, 2007 at 9:56 am
in honor of Brett Jarolimek.
(Photo © Jonathan Maus)
Wearing white t-shirts emblazoned with the words “No Blind Spots”, Cross Crusade founder Rick Potestio and race director Brad Ross said losing Brett Jarolimek was like losing “a member of the Cross Crusade family.”
Also speaking before a memorial lap was Bike Gallery’s Kris Schamp. He said,
“The Halloween Cross was one of Brett’s favorites, we’ll miss him here…but he’d want us to ride on, race on, and have fun while we’re at it.”
Following those words, hundreds of cyclists took part in a silent memorial lap in Brett’s honor (see video here). The lap was led out by Brett’s friends and his Team Bike Gallery teammates, many of them weary from the road after driving to Idaho for his funeral yesterday.
Some of Brett’s friends had made copies of his race number (800) and passed them out for all of us to wear in his honor. Below the number was a winged figure on a bike and the words,
The silent lap was a somber, yet powerful way to say goodbye to Brett and to remember what his life, and his death, mean to our community.
These past two weeks have taken a toll on many of us. And, while some things will never be the same again, especially for the families and friends of those we’ve lost, the undeniable spirit of the Cross Crusade will live on.
Brett, who dressed up as Captain Underpants at the Halloween Cross race last year, would surely have smiled at the abundance of spirit on display yesterday.
Words and photos can’t do the silly insanity justice. But I’ve tried to capture a bit of it in the slideshow below:
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Thanks to everyone who makes the Cross Crusades much more than just another bike race.
Video: For video of the memorial lap, see CrankMyChain! Cycle TV.
Party: Check out Kenji’s slideshow for all the debauchery at Saturday night’s party.
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October 29th, 2007 10:28
The ride of silence was an amazing and moving event- a great tribute to Brett- hundreds of riders snaking along the course, silent.
I also have additional pics on my site, including of the party from the previous night.
October 29th, 2007 10:30
[...] minutes late. I was in time to watch but not to ride. It was a fine tribute and Jon Maus has a nice piece over on [...]
October 29th, 2007 11:22
What is it about a Halloween cyclocross race that makes men want to wear women's clothes? Beyond the term "'cross" and the connection with cross dressing?
At least that was the pre-race chatter when I came to the line. I didn't have time to answer as I was adjusting my tail and my hound dog ears and wishing I'd marked some more teritory.
October 29th, 2007 12:16
I really appreciated the silent lap. Well done! On a separate note, there seems to be a lack of organization at the start of most "C" and "Masters C" race. Often times, we are unable to hear pre-race announcements, and several Master C racers blend in with the "C"s and start when they do. I would like to see a cleared separation and a more effective facilitation for the riders.
October 29th, 2007 13:15
This post was about Brett and the party, the crosscrusade.com site has a forum for actual race related responses. thx
October 29th, 2007 13:21
Matt,
Maybe a good place to start w/ your "separate note" subject related to the "Masters Cat C Race Starts" is on the actual crosscrusade.com site forum, or with the race promoters in person.
This is a completely separate website. On this page, the topic is about celebrating the loss of one of our friends.
Good luck with that important concern you have. In the context of Brett's death, this seems a little selfish, no?
October 29th, 2007 14:41
What an emotional time that lap was. Being in something as silly as a Halloween cyclocross race with all you crazies, but riding comletely silent. I didn't know Brett, but from riding with all of you, felt like I did.
October 29th, 2007 14:44
The race was definitely bittersweet; tears were shed on the lap of silence but we still rallied and made a great day of it.
Jonathan--you had me by six places yesterday! Great race, but now you're my new target. Thanks for the great writeup and carefully-cropped picture of my back!
October 29th, 2007 17:55
[...] been a few days since Brett Jarolimek died underneath the tires of a garbage truck. I’ve been speechless. So soon after [...]
October 29th, 2007 18:26
I didn't know Brett, but from those who knew him, I feel our city lost a grand citizen, a caring, charismatic man who added his voice, his interest, and his vitality to our ever-growing biking community. God Bless him and the legacy he has left. A Ride of Silence seems fitting, and emotionally it will be more difficult for some, but it will be long remembered. God Speed Brett.