My Friend Jim

My friend Jim is a lot of things. He's a husband to my friend Rhoda. He's a father to my friend Bri. He's a best friend to me, and I imagine to a great many others out there as well. My friend Jim always calls back. My friend Jim has consistently beat my ass on each and every bike ride we have ever done. My friend Jim always sucks it up when we are late, and acts as though it isn't PISSING him off. He always has a smile and the right answer, and if I'm lucky, a really disturbingly nasty joke. He donates more time to my team (as does his family), than I do sometimes. Jim gets along with each and every single person that I have ever known. Jim is a hell of a bike rider, and has proven at least 9,000 times in this past year alone. Jim accepts me for the low-life, dirt-bag that I am. He always, and I mean always, has my back. Jim listens to the frustrations of my relationship, my work, and everything else I can create. My friend Jim all but paid my rent for the months I took off work to get the team off the ground.
His wife fed me, his daughter let me crash in their camper, while she slept on the floor or with her parents. They have seen me at my best, and at my worst. My friend Jim still calls me back, after seeing the latter. My friend Jim was like the friend I had since sixth grade. Thing is, I just met Jim last year. I am thankful every second of every day for my friend Jim, and his wife, and daughter. I am a better person for having met them, and use them as a barometer for my behavior every day.
My friend Jim is moving to Colorado. As much as I understand why, it still sucks.
My friend Jim will be missed by more than just me. He will also be missed by all of our team members, supporters, sponsors, and all those fortunate enough to have the Roff's at an event they weren't even racing. Jim, Rhoda, and Bri, we don't want you to go, but wish you the best, and will always be here for you no matter what. Good luck, and don't get too comfortable out there. You'll be back, shoveling snow in a crime free, affordable, scenic, healthy environment only goes so far...:)

Cap'n chris