In Memoriam: Jon Lennard, aka @itburns
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/”/]
Jon, @itburns, my thoughts are with your family and friends. Ride in Peace.
This is a hard deal to accept but hope that his family and friends will heal. Will wear a black arm band on the ride this weekend and remember him.
This is terrible news to hear, my condolences go out to his family and friends. Jon was surely an important part of the community here and he will be missed.
VLVV indeed – we will miss him terribly
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. We’ve all lost some part of our lives here.
Sad sad news. RIP @itburns.
RIP Jon. Didn’t know you, but if you rode a bike, you were my friend.
Terrible news. Sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Be at peace Jon.
Unfortunately it can take something like this to remind us of how chance can change things forever. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.
Ride safe.
This puts many things in to sad perspective and no words from me can do justice to what I’m feeling for a man I never met. Heart-felt condolences to those of you who knew Jon but most especially his family.
Ride in Peace brother.
@MMinSC
+1 – I was trying to think of what to say in response to this sad news, and you’ve summed it up perfectly.
Sad news…. RIP
I lived – and cycled – in Houston for a while and can attest the drivers there are completely mad.
My heart goes out to his friends and family.
So sad and my thoughts are with his family. Long time lurker but this hits home as I live down the street from where this happened. In shock that this was a member of this great community. RIP Jon.
Very sad news. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. RIP, @itburns
How does one begin to deal with this sort of thing?
@Cyclops I lost one of my wife’s close friend a few years back to a similar tragedy… I know one or two friends rarely got back on their bikes after hearing about that… That would be the example of just how not to deal with it…
I’m not sure what to say other than he will be missed. RIP Jon.
Really sorry to hear that. His posts were witty, clever and often brought a smile or a chuckle – I’m sure they will continue to do so when we see them in past articles and archived posts in years to come, and he’ll be remembered.
Condolences to his family and friends who knew him in real life.
This is incredibly sad. I’m speechless.
So sorry to hear about this. This community is incredible in how it connects people who have never met and never will, but feel like they know each other nonetheless. I’ll be riding for @itburns today. My thoughts and prayers go out to his those that knew him personally.
Jon, ci vedremo su altre strade
This is really sad news. From learning more about Jon in the article above, I know that I would have had a lot to talk about with him in real life.
I will raise a glass to him tonight.
Very Sad…Very Sad Indeed
Wow, that is terrible. Very sad indeed. He will be missed here.
My condolences and prayers for family and friends – a terrible loss. We all know the risks when we set out on the road, yet we roll on embracing our love for cycling regardless. Roll on @itburns, thanks for making the community better.
Well, that was some sad and shitty news to wake up to. RIP @itburns, and to everyone else, VLVV.
@motor city From learning more about Jon in the article above, I know that I would have had a lot to talk about with him in real life.
Me too. How many others here have a ton of things in common besides cycling, and we’ll never know until something like this happens?
Condolences to @itburns/Jon’s loved ones. I know I’ll hug mine a little tighter tonight.
Condolences to Jon’s family including the Velominatus one.
unbelievable, so sorry and i share everyones feelings and sadness
my dearest sympathies to itburns and his family, my heart bleeds for them
I’m from Edinburgh but have a friend in Houston who told me about this a couple of days ago, so sad. My thoughts echo many of those written above.
I’ll wear a black band on my Friday ride this week
Condolences to his family and friends. Ride in Peace Jon/@itburns
Terrible news. Sobering and maddening at the same time.
I would like to think that fallen cyclists become agents for the Man with the Hammer. Much like Santa’s helpers. There would be some serious karmic brilliance in the world if each time we took a blow, it was delivered by a fallen comrade, sent to keep the roads clear of over zealous cyclists writing cheques their guns couldn’t cash…
Hit me it @itburns…
Holy FUCK!!! What the HELL! Jesus this hits me right in the gut! I knew and road with itburns in Texas and he was just an awesome guy! We rode the Austin Cogal together and met up for a few rides in Boerne. God he will be missed. Godspeed, brother until we meet up in the great Cogal in the sky. Sooooo sad.
Horrible news. It’s a unique place, VM, that you can feel like you’re friends with people you’ve never met in person. He’ll be missed.
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May Merckx hold you in the palm of His hand.” (Irish/ Belgian blessing)
Condolences to friends and family.
Surf, skate, snowboard, cycling and only a month younger than I am. We never met but you sound like a great guy, you will be in my thoughts on my next ride.
Nothing to add to what The Keepers have said well enough already, except that is just pish news to hear, a sad day, a loss to all & condolences from the Scottish Brethren.
Jon @itburns, fellow Texan, keep your angel wings on and fly far from the devils anchor and never fear the man with the hammer again, for you have reached a destination that has no boundaries. Gods speed.
I will play a song on my guitar in memory. I was going to post some Jim Morrison lyrics from a Doors song, but it is too painful, even in tribute.
Goodnight sweet prince.
@Buck Rogers that photo says it all…it might hve been the first time you met jon and jeff, but it looks like youre childhood buddies out for a pint…tailwinds await you mate
I’ve spent most of this morning reading old posts on this site. I’m suprised to see how many times we interacted with each other with quips and advice and banter and information. Sad sad day. He’ll be missed, I feel for those that knew him personally. This site will be the poorer for his passing.
Truly sad news. Fair winds Brother.
My heart is heavy hearing this and my thoughts are with his family and friends. Be safe out there everyone.
VLVV
Just when I thought my shit was going badly, something comes along and makes me realize that things could be a whole lot worse. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers. RIP @itburns
That’s terrible news. Rest in Peace, itburns.
Sad sad news. Heart warming to see all the love here.
I was greatly amused by Jon’s moniker and avatar. Made me smile every time I saw it. I live in Houston and unfortunately never met Jon. My loss.