Each of us throw a leg over our top tubes and submit ourselves to the open road in recognition of the risks involved. These risks include those of a puncture, crash, damaged equipment, disability, and – ultimately – death. We try to be vigilant, we ride assertively yet defensively, and we hope for the best. We take every reasonable precaution to ensure we return home to ride again another day.
Longstanding community member Jon Lennard, known here as @itburns, will sadly not have that opportunity. Jon lost his life on August 12, 2013 at approximately 7:30pm while riding his bike in Houston, Texas. As of this writing, details are sparse, but the Houston Chronicle reports that he was hit in an intersection by a vehicle, and thrown violently from his bicycle.
People say online interactions lack a personal connection, and for the most part, they are right. But Velominati somehow seems to bridge that gap. We rarely meet one another, but somehow we bond, and we become what can only be characterized as friends. The loss I feel – and that I know Brett, Gianni, and Marko each felt as the news spread amongst the Keepers – suggests that this bond of friendship truly exists. We have lost not only a community member and Velominatus, but a friend.
Jon was what we characterize as a Pedalwan. He was relatively new to Cycling, and lapped up the knowledge, wisdom, and lessons that this community has become so good at providing. He asked questions, gave advice, and always delivered everything he said with a fantastic sense of humor. He was the picture-perfect example of living La Vie Velominatus. I am proud that our community appealed to him because he was exactly the kind of person we want to appeal to.
A few additional words:
@Bretto:
Although I never met Jon, he was a huge part of our community and this news has left me feeling sick to the stomach. I can’t begin to imagine how devastated his friends and family are at this time.
Jon, under his moniker @itburns, always seemed upbeat and positive with valuable input to any and every topic he participated in. He was a true Velominatus and will be genuinely missed around here. When I look at his palmares, the similarities between Jon and myself are many, which makes me think we would’ve gotten on famously; it also reminds me how very mortal each and every one of us are.
My condolences go out to his loved ones, and while this is a tragedy of terrible proportions, it is some small consolation that he died doing what he loved. RIP, VLVV Jon.
@Gianni:
This is sad and strange. We have lost a fellow Velominatus. He died in the saddle. We all have made friends on the site, most we have never met. How is that possible? We have conversations and arguments about bikes, cycling and life yet we don’t ever see each others faces, but we are still friends. If any of us had ever been stranded in Houston, @itburns, Jon Lennard, would have helped us out. To us he will always be known as a friend and Velominatus. Rest in peace. VLVV.
@Marko:
If I were to rattle off the first five or so community members that spring to mind, @itburns (Jon as we’ve come to know him now) would most likely be one of them. He’s an old timer around here and has been posting long enough to have become part of the ether of Velominati. His contributions were thoughtful, pleasant, supportive, and always furthered our discussion. I wish his untimely death wasn’t the impetus for us to learn more about him. Turns out he and I would have surely had other fun discussions about guitars, Metal, and kayaking as well. Maybe Jon’s passing will encourage us all to appreciate each other a bit more and know that there’s much more than cycling than we all have in common. Go with Merckx, brother, and thank you.
His childhood friend, Ron Willis, who kindly made us aware of the news:
Jon was smart as fuck and wasn’t kidding about the OCD… dude had his way (the only way) of doing things! Used to laugh my ass off watching him dick with his snowboard bindings EVERY day for half an hour on our ski trips. Can’t imagine what that bike went through.
Our biggest argument about things cycling – he thought “Dutch hill” work was the same as hill work (gravity bitch!)
Our second biggest argument – buy some fucking Zipps you cheap bastard!
Really gonna miss him.
Our deepest, heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones. We have marked the date of his death on the Velominati Cogal Calendar. Let us take a breath and acknowledge it could just as well have been us. Be safe, and always come home to ride another day.
We’ll miss you, Jon.
Jonathan King Lennard
Dec 24, 1965 – Aug 12, 2013
Single, no kids
BS Aerospace Engineering, Texas, 1988
Part owner of Software company that does contract work for Shell Oil.
Musician (bass and guitar)
Walking encyclopedia of all things rock ‘n roll
Avid reader (a lot of science fiction, Asimov, etc)
Beer/Spirits/Coffee – no expense spared for the best.
Early on: skate, surf, kayak
Later: cycling and snowboarding
Update: Some community members have been sharing photos. We’ll keep updating this as we get more.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Jon Lennard/”/]
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Tragic. RIP @itburns. Condolences to all friends & family.
This is a terrible reminder how fragile and vulnerable we can be on our bikes, no matter how badass we are. Take care one and all.
Although I'm a cyclist, I mainly wanted to [briefly] post a few of my recent comments about Jon (below). I was a hard-core cyclist in my youth. About a year ago, I found that Speedplay X2's and a bike fit ended the debilitating pain that kept cycling out of my life for almost twenty years. I often commute to work (22mi each way). I did a century back in May. Nonetheless, Jon gave me no end of sh1t for the "bento box" (small bag behind the stem) and leaving the caps on the tubes. Oh, how he loved The Rules. "Rule #5" should be on his tombstone. He'd look at my bento box and say, "this is my fault; I took-on a Pedalwan too soon." No text can capture Jon. Beyond all else, the written word fails to convey his acerbic wit and his epic sense of "timing." He was never "mean" about it... but, man, IT BURNS! This was the Jedi Grand Master of smack talk.
Some of you have ridden with Jon. For those of you that haven't, I'd like to share two recent posts I made about Jon.
I take a different (and probably less-wise) approach to traffic laws: I don't respect them. I assume that people are TRYING to kill me. I commute on bicycle in one of eleven states where it's still legal to text whilst driving. I see people texting, reading books, and watching TV while passing me. I even saw some dumb bimbo with a freaking DOG on her lap, texting, and driving at the same time. In Texas, we give driving neither the attention nor respect that it deserves (I've spent thousands-upon-thousands of dollars doing HPDE/automotive racing). Please be safe out there. I often say that "I know that I'm living on borrowed time, riding a bicycle in Houston." I don't care what actually happened with Jon's accident. It won't bring him back. However, that part of the road is three lanes wide, has a 35mph speed limit, and goes through a very busy park -- I simply cannot understand how the driver wasn't able to evade hitting Jon. We'll never know what actually happened. Jon is gone forever... and the world is a bit less bright for it. Please be careful.
We all appreciate your kind words.
While I didn't know Jon, as a fellow cyclist I feel we all share a bond even if just for a fleeting moment with a nod as we fly past. I can only offer my condolences to his family, friends and the members here who know him.
RIP brother.
Very sad news conveyed with lovely sentiment. Best wishes and Thoughts to Jons friends and family.
Take care everyone, it only takes one car and not even any intent; cyclist loses every time.
pt
Such a sad loss. Most of us have had close calls - some closer than others. The thread of grace from which we're suspended is narrow indeed. Perhaps a subtle JKL on future jerseys as a memorial?
In recent years, Jon lived by The Rules. and berated me on every possible occasion for not riding enough. "when are you going to sell me your Cervelo, and, by the way, what is that POS hanging from your saddle?" was the greeting he used on every opportunity, as he got off his beloved Specialized, in full Velominati rig. So, I bought the book and will ride more, in his memory. (PS: I bought a few spare copies, also. I will share the knowledge)
I just bought: 'Rules: The Way of the Cycling Disciple' by The Velominati
http://www.amazon.co.uk
Rules: The Way of the Cycling Disciple
My wife just woke up and read on our community listserve that a cyclist was hit down the road yesterday. And we had someone killed earlier this summer. Driver fled, had a suspended license, but turned themselves in the next day.
Sad news about Jon. RIP and may you get in all the long rides you want, Jon.
Yep, strange to feel close to someone you've never met, but definitely "knew" Jon from his contributions here.
Driving/license laws. It'll never happen, but that is the one thing I'd really, really like to see discussed during elections. Why do we allow a sixteen year old to pilot a deadly machine after two evenings courses and a short ride around the block? What other deadly machinery has such a low tolerance required to operate? Very frustrating.
Everyone do their best to ride defensively aggressive out there! And make sure you've hugged your loved ones recently because it only takes one distracted driver or one tough sunset angle. This just happened to me a few weeks back when riding in the morning. Trucker nearly sideswipped me and I don't think they ever saw me.
Terrible news, I'll be thinking about those Jon touched and left behind today for sure.
Tragic news, absolutely tragic. Heart goes out to his family. RIP Jon.
@Toho
Oh I think we got that from his posts - he could skewer anyone, in the nicest possible way. Though most of us never met him he certainly came across as someone you would quite like to meet.
Thanks to you and his other friends who have made the effort to come on here and share your rich and obviously much-valued friendship with Jon. It helps those of us who only knew him online as @itburns see the full picture of Jon Lennard.
This is really the worst part of our sport. Unfortunatelly I gave up riding on open roads a long time ago...and I usually repeat to my friends: "I love cycling but I love myself a little bit more". RIP Jon.