Not Forgotten: Jon Lennard, aka @itburns

In memory of our lost friend, Jon Lennard aka @itburns.

I bought a Road ID the day I learned of Jon Lennard’s death on August 12, 2013. Someone in the posts of the original announcement of his passing (below) mentioned he was identified by his Road ID. Of course he had a Road ID. What I knew of him made that perfect. So responsible and sensible.

The nature of this community is a strange thing; we don’t know each other by name, just by the handle we use. We are as anonymous as we choose to be. I only knew Jon’s real name because we’d emailed each other and he’d sent me a copy of Merckx 525 for Christmas. We were, without knowing each other formally, friends. At Velominati, I was always happy to see his crazy Avatar show up, that ridiculous image of Gollum in a Giro helmet. Who thinks of this stuff? Only @itburns. He and his spirit helped shape this community, like many others have. His voice stood out in the for his good nature, willingness to stir things up in a fun way, and always fostering a collegial atmosphere in the midst of controversy.

He was living La Vie Velominatus, throttle wide open. He was Rule #43 embodied .

Someone told me he was wearing his V-Kit; I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but the idea that he was wearing it at the time of his death chills my blood. I am honored beyond words that he wore it into his last moment but I’m ashamed that we weren’t strong enough to better protect him. The first death in V-Kit. It is a horrible thing that words can’t describe.

We all risk so much when we ride; we are at the mercy of the traffic around us, one moment’s inattention and it’s over. Jon’s death didn’t stop me riding, but it has me thinking of him every time I swing my leg over a top tube. This could be my last ride. Either make sure it isn’t, or make sure it’s worth it.

I miss you @itburns; I’m happy every time I see one of your old posts pop up in the archives. I will ride my bike tomorrow, on August 12, the anniversary of your passing, and I will think of you again. I’ll never forget you, my friend.

When you ride today, remember that this could be your last ride. Either make sure it isn’t, or make sure it’s worth it.

Vive la Vie Velominatus, and go with Merckx, my brothers and sisters.

He also has a Facebook Group set up by his friends that gets regular updates on friends reminding us of how awesome he was. Check it out: Shuttle’s Velominati Hall of Fame.

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frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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frank says:

Aug 12 2014 at 9:29 pm

@Buck Rogers

@Nate

I happened to be in Houston on business when the news about John came thru last year. What a kick in the gut. Never met him in person but what a sense of humor. I suspect no one will touch he number of plus one badges he earned. Roll in peace brother.

Great point about the +1 badge. Perhaps it should be the @itburns badge, no?

Maybe we could make him a special one; I did already on the day of his passing dive into the code to do some hard-wiring to make sure his status didn't fade away (its tied to recent activity, an unfair ask under the circumstances).

I wish I knew more about him; I feel like from what I know, keeping his status would be what he wants - that giving him some additional badge feel weird to him. But I'll let those who knew him better advise me on that.
frank says:

Aug 12 2014 at 9:32 pm

@Chris

Every now and then, surfing through old articles, I come across one of Jon's posts. Sometimes there's a kick in the guts followed by a chuckle or wry smile as I realise I've come across one of his post before I've read it but more often than not the chuckle and smile come first: the kick doesn't come until I've thought "great post, who wrote that?" and spot his nasty little helmeted head.

He won't be forgotten. Roll on @itburns.

This is really just spot on. Sad reality is that I don't venture into the archives too much except when I'm clearing out spam (fuck you spambots) and the fact is, whenever I see his posts as a result, I'm a bit thankful that spam filters aren't perfect.

Some day, this site will die down and I'll have nothing to do but peruse the archives; I'll enjoy seeing that idiotic avatar of his every time.
Jen says:

Aug 12 2014 at 10:21 pm

@frank Jon was everything the community appreciates him for - incisive, thoughtful, observant, precise and a shit ton of fun. he started cycling with us then fell profoundly in love. I thought I was dedicated, but compared to him, my love of cycling was a mere grade school crush. He was all about he road too...no mountain biking (or tris...sacrilege!). He would be quietly thrilled to know what an appreciated presence he was among the velominatus. he was stellar.
Ron says:

Aug 13 2014 at 4:06 am

Just realized that August 12th is Laurent Fignon's birthday.

One mighty cycling came into the world, one might cyclist departed this world.
Nate says:

Aug 13 2014 at 7:26 am

@frank

@Buck Rogers

@Nate

I happened to be in Houston on business when the news about John came thru last year. What a kick in the gut. Never met him in person but what a sense of humor. I suspect no one will touch he number of plus one badges he earned. Roll in peace brother.

Great point about the +1 badge. Perhaps it should be the @itburns badge, no?

Maybe we could make him a special one; I did already on the day of his passing dive into the code to do some hard-wiring to make sure his status didn't fade away (its tied to recent activity, an unfair ask under the circumstances).

I wish I knew more about him; I feel like from what I know, keeping his status would be what he wants - that giving him some additional badge feel weird to him. But I'll let those who knew him better advise me on that.

Just a thought, don't know if it is a good one but perhaps we could call the +1 badge the "it burns memorial +1..."
Mike_P says:

Aug 13 2014 at 7:31 am

@Ron

Just realized that August 12th is Laurent Fignon's birthday.

One mighty cycling came into the world, one might cyclist departed this world.

Both of them should be eternally celebrated by us. Both left the party far far too early.
HHHeartache says:

Aug 13 2014 at 9:25 am

Got to Memorial park a bit late last night (5.30) due to traffic, hammered the Picnic loop until 6.05 in honor of Jon (he was on his way there one year ago...). Had a beer in the Ho parking lot (where, after his ride, Jon always hooked up with the gang who ran the mountain bike trails every Thursday).
I know everyone worked through their grief yesterday in their own way. This was mine.
I put an "In Memory" card up in the Picnic Loop notice board (and photoed with Jon's Cycling Bible: how many times did he yell at me "Rule 5" on rides!)

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HHHeartache says:

Aug 13 2014 at 9:28 am

@HHHeartache I know it sounds like a short ride, but I had to go on and meet more friends for Hash run (hashing was another of Jon's pleasures)..... we raised more glasses before, during and after the run...
unversio says:

Aug 13 2014 at 9:45 am

Ciclismo a un glorioso strada. AMerckx
Teocalli says:

Aug 13 2014 at 11:04 am

Couldn't get out yesterday so took some time out today. Cruising along and thinking of @itburns and another cycling buddy I lost recently (through natural but unexpected causes) and suddenly this raincloud appeared and it dumped huge raindrops for a short(ish) period. @itburns and my buddy must have been up there reminding me not to be just a fair weather rider!

Some things you don't miss till they are gone. Along with another mate we had converted my buddy from the dark side in the bushes to encompass the way and the road. Once or twice a week he would ping me on skpe to see if I was working from home and if I was he'd call and we would just talk bikes for an hour or so. I miss those calls.