The End of This Story & The Beginning of all the Others

OK have you figured out who this guy is? Alright, alright.. for those of you outside the bike world, and for those inside it who wouldn't take the time to talk to anyone over the age of 25 that doesn't look like Lance Armstrong, I'll tell you! This is none other than Jerry Bliton. So what you ask? Well you just want to start something don't you?

2001 Norba National @ Snowshoe Mountain West Virgina. A skinny 30 something guy shows up to a house full of strangers to share the expenses of the weekend. Shortly after arriving he is introduced to an older gentleman and his wife. Hand shakes are exchanged, as all good men do and it was at that moment the skinny guys life became a little better. Better you say? yea better because I was the skinny guy who had the honor of meeting Jerry & Kathyrn Bliton and I will tell you what made my life better.Jerry started telling those that had just arrived about the Norba course. He explained it in such detail that I would have guessed that he had actually helped lay the course out. Those of you that attended this particular weekend will remember just how muddy the new course had gotten because of the relentless rain the area was getting. Jerry sat around the table in the Chalet that evening telling of the climbs, turns and descents as all of us quietly sat like children listening to a bedtime story. I wondered for a moment, who is this Jerry, really? A man more than twice my age yet he fit the group of young people better than myself.

Later in conversation Jerry told us of something he keeps in mind during a race and I'll tell you but it may not be exact so here goes "tenths turn into seconds which add up to minutes" It may not seem like much to let a tenth or a second go during a race but when its over you'll see the results of those in minutes and minutes are the difference between winning and losing in mountain biking. Very true and I've never forgot this very sound advice from my now good friend Jerry.

Fast forward a few years and I'll tell you how Jerry invited us over to his house to see his training area and photos of the magnificent bike trips that he and his wife Kathyrn have taken. Afterwards he saddled up on his bike and rode a few miles with our small group. Or let me tell you how Jerry has driven all the way down to Seven Springs (more than once) to stop by our 24 hour camp offering support mentally and physically. Then quietly slipped away only to return with food from the nearby town. Oh I won't kid myself and make believe that he had only come to see us but the way he talked and treated us when in our camp made you feel like no one else matter to him.
To this Day I have the up most respect for Jerry and I cherish the the surprise moments when he shows up at the shop when I'm there or when you see him before a race only to watch him stick around for hours afterwards just to clap while you receive your award.
Exactly how old is Jerry, you ask? 25, 31, 43, 56, 61? Nope, he's 71. In my eyes Jerry is as young as he feels and I would hang out with him any day over allot of other people. He has Kids & grandkids yet he can talk bikes and racing with the best of you. He's sponsored by Kenda Tires and is also inMonth of Mud Hall of Fame http://www.gorocket.net/ , so look for him out on the trails and do yourself a favor... stop and introduce yourself. You would be lucky to have him as a friend.

So this story may End but someday you may meet Jerry and create new ones for you to tell. Until then I'll start writing the next chapter and I'm sure Jerry will show up somewhere within it.

stork