This news is so **** up, just cannot get my head round it at all. God knows what’s like for family and friends up there but I wish you all strength. Dumb thing is that I never thought there would come a day when I would be properly worried about Jenn – always doing crazy challenging things, but you knew she would get through them cos she is completely nails right? But you know that.
Been thinking back a lot to when I knew her. Won’t bore you with war stories but one thing that sprung to mind was when I shared an office with her at Sussex Uni and she was just getting into contributing to bike magazines in her spare time. One day she phoned in sick with a cold or toothache or something, but like any good biker, the sun was shining and the trails were calling and she was out on a ride instead. Might have actually been a photoshoot or something come to think of it, I dunno. Of course you can guess what happened – she came in to work the next day with her arm in a sling cos she’d taken a tumble and knackered her wrist. Not entirely sure how she explained that one away…
Bearing that in mind, now she’s not at work, I hope she’s not spending too much time in front of a computer (and if she is, I hope she has crumpets and a HUGE mug of tea). But Jenn, if you are reading this, I wanted to say two things to you:
Sorry I have been a crappy friend and have not been in touch. I do still think of you though… I don’t ride much now), but every time I do get out on the trails round here I am *constantly* reminded of rides with you and the rest of the Brighton crew. It’s ridiculous really: every dodgy root, every sticky-out tree, every iffy corner, and -most importantly- every conveniently-placed picnic bench holds a story or a memory of some sort. No word of a lie, your spirit still lingers in the woods round here, it always will. All I have to do is get on my bike and I will meet it. That all sounds a bit dippy but for me it is the utter truth.
Secondly, I never did thank you enough for that day when I rode to work and forgot to bring in some trousers. You lent me your spare jeans without a moment’s hesitation, and though they were a little short and a lot tight, you totally saved my (veggie) bacon. And that’s cos you are AWESOME 🙂
Anyhow, sending you positive thoughts and LOADS OF LOVE! NXXX