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/”/]
As per all of the above,
Just this morning I was getting angry and using some stern words at my 6 yo daughter for not eating all her breakfast whilst both my wife an I shook our heads at our sick little 18month old boy destroying everything in his path and I assume he had had enough of being sick and was just bored.
The above news puts things in perspective.
Big hugs when I get home from work me thinks !
Saddened by this. Ride in Peace, Brother.
It looks like his friend Doug is trying to get a Ghost bike set up in the place where the accident occurred, which I think is really beautiful.
If you are in the area or can in some way help get this put in place, please do.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403487096540974/
@frank
I think reading the subsequent posts family/friends have asked that they don’t as they don’t want to be reminded of it as they pass the site…
*sigh*
I’ve got nothing to say beyond a wish to express my sadness and condolences to Jon’s family and friends.
I had a 200km ride planned for thursday. In jon’s memory i will put my snowboarding season pass in my spokes. As it might be for many of us, that is my first real connection with a bike…topps baseball card stuck in the front wheel
My sincere sympathies to Jon’s friends and families. RIP @itburns.
Very shocking and sad news. My condolences to Jon’s family and friends. Thanks to the keepers for sharing this with the V community.
So terrible, I’m at a loss for words. My condolences to his family and friends everywhere.
Like many here, I’m a long-time lurker (excluding one or two random posts), and I’ve never met Jon, but reading this brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful community this is. What a sad day. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.
Just reading all the posts and finally the pictures. I know Jon…!
A sad tragedy.
Mike L.
I’m really saddened by the news and my thoughts go out to his family and friends. I’ll definitely be thinking about Jon on my next ride. RIP, brother.
So very sorry for our loss.
Cycling in Istanbul, i have had to accept the reality of a real chance of serious injury in my commutes and rides. There is just so few people doing it and motorists are a bloody nightmare all the time its like being in a derby. I have already had a couple of close calls resulting in months off the bike. This just brings me back to a reality we all have to accept that we are inherently vulnerable whilst pursuing our passion.
Knowing all those things it is still shocking when someone you are connected with in however small a way is taken in this manner. It is brilliant to see how many people loved and cared for him both here and on his facebook memorial page. It was also good to read the information update from @BobMartin and that he was there so soon afterwards.
I know that when I go out this weekend I will be putting an extra effort in with Jon foremost in my mind.
This is terrible news and I wish his family well. There is a place for remembering all the good things, his contribution to the community, and his now posthumous ability to unite us in reflecting on why we ride and the things that connect us.
Perhaps we could have a Jon Lennard Memorial VSP Prize at some point and then every year thereafter. That would be nice and a way to come back to this point of reflection.
Dreadful news, heartfelt sympathy to those closest.
Live your life to the V
Another reminder of our vulnerability when taking part in the sport we love.
A great shame, and though I didn’t know him either he seemed like a great guy from his banter on here and many will clearly miss him. As always it’s made me spend some quiet time just thinking.
Ride safe people, VLVV.
Simply awful. Condolences to Jon’s family and friends.
g
this is awful ,repose en paix
Awful news. Another reminder to me that, just as ships are their most vulnerable close to land, bikes are at their most vulnerable near junctions.
Condolences to all of Jon’s family and friends.
David
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.
sincere condolences to Jon’s family and friends – and to us all because this site really is a band of brothers and sisters.
We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further: it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow,
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
White on a throne or guarded in a cave
There lives a prophet who can understand
Why men were born: but surely we are brave,
Who take the Golden Road to Samarkand.
Sweet to ride forth at evening from the wells
When shadows pass gigantic on the sand,
And softly through the silence beat the bells
Along the Golden Road to Samarkand.
We travel not for trafficking alone;
By hotter winds our fiery hearts are fanned:
For lust of knowing what should not be known
We make the Golden Journey to Samarkand.
Terrible, terrible news. Everyone else here, respectfully, has said plenty about Jon Lennard/@itburns. Though never having met the gentleman, I feel a real sense of loss. My sincere condolences to his family and friends
It is really great to hear a bit more about Jon from his close friends. The fact that you can share funny stories and have a laugh (Rule V on his tombstone!) I think really shows how great of a pal he was and that he lived a full life, though 48 is too short.
Yup, if I ever get blasted by a car I hope my pals have had enough fun with me and my wacky habits that they can remember the laughs and good times and not get too down.
RIP Jon. I just joined this community yesterday and can already tell its a tight one. May you forever have the wind at your back and air in the tires
Don’t have much to add, but I certainly feel the weight and the sadness. His contribution to the community will be missed. Condolences to his family.
These accidents are obviously tragic. I am sure Jon is in a better place. I hope (and I suspect Jon would hope) that no one quits riding a bike because of an accident like this. With the millions of bikes on the road every day, the odds of dying in an accident are pretty miniscule. My MO for driving a car or riding a bike is to assume every other driver is going to run the red lights, run the stop signs, cut me off, etc., and that I should ride/drive accordingly. Even riding defensively has its limits for our safety and won’t prevent accidents like Jon’s, particularly in heavy traffic areas. I am lucky because I ride primarily in rural southern Wisconsin and never cross major roads and three lane highways. Be safe out there.
RIP Jon – thoughts and prayers to family and friends. Ride hard, be safe.
RIP Jon
RIP Jon — never even knew you, but I’m moved nonetheless. Sadly, most here know exactly how much this loss hurts, particularly for those who know and love him. It does burn.
My first memory of reading one of Jon’s early posts was laughing long and hard at his screen name and every time after, until now, sadly. RIP Itburns and thank you.
I rode with Jon at the very cold and wet Austin Cogal. This is sad news. Very sorry to read such news.
Sad news. I’m reminded of @itburns’s recent comments re. the Man with the Hammer:
Nice. And so true. There’s a cruel irony that a big part of cycling, as noted in Jon’s V-moniker, is that it burns; but the pleasure in what we do is taken from not minding that it hurts. In the exertion of cycling, we feel most alive””and that’s why we all ride.
This is desperately sad and my heart goes out to his friends and family. I think for those who ride this weekend, if you can capture a moment, a picture, an essence, then a post here will remind us all of why, we, and Jon ride…..
I am reminded of:
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there – I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush
I am the swift-up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there – I did not die.
“@Gianni My Festum Prophetae tradition of a long solo ride is consistent in having the Hammering Man along for company toward the end. For this tradition only, I would feel cheated if he didn’t show. The rest of the time, he is like a friend that accid… »”
@Steampunk Yeah, that’s what I think of when I think of @itburns.
In memory, we have done this…http://www.caferoubaix.ca/
I log in wondering what wit and wisdom will be up today and read this. I never knew Jon except through his posts, but what posts, funny and shot through with a love of the sport. he will be missed. RIP Jon
Has anyone ever seen a study done on the dangers of cycling, other sports, etc. vs. driving? It seems like far too many cyclists get killed doing what they love and have a passion for, but adjusted for numbers participating, it still seems like driving must be far more deadly. Or maybe I’m wrong.
Not sure if this has already been posted here, but I thought this was important (saw it on @itburns’ FB memorial page.)
That’s sorted, I’m getting one. And before anyone asks, so long as its not yellow, you are clear on whatever Road ID you get from a Rules perspective.
@frank I didn’t see that on the FB page but this sad event has made me realise how important decent ID is. I will be getting one. Two bands, orange to go with the V-Kit and red for the club kit.
Like most here I never met Jon and probably never would have but he was certainly an important part of this place and through that, part of my life. I can not really accept that he has gone but it amazes me and comforts me that so many people feel the same way about his passing.
terrible news. Jon’s posts were consistently worthwhile. He will be missed here and sure by the many who knew him in the flesh.
@frank
I just ordered one. Have thought about it for years, now seems like the time. Besides, Bob Roll and Levi Leiphiemer endorse it, what more do you need?