June 14, 2003 A FRIEND DEPARTS We lost a friend to the bike today, But not a friend of ours. The Loess Hills of the Midlands, Have gone away for good. And with them go the friendly rollers, That our bike learned to love. Those friendly little rollers, That Ron and LaValle learned to hate. We had a day with relative flat, But what will be tomorrow? We start into some country With topology yet defined. We are sure of little but certainly know That the cycling gods will surprise. They will make damned sure, and make it stick That we have a reason to climb! Ron