The attached photo is how I always pictured Dave in my head at the mention of his name, and how I will continue to. I'm not sure who shot this photo*, but I poached it at some point over 10years ago and have saved it as a reminder how enjoyable riding a bike can be with the right attitude. He passed away this week due to complications from a biking accident.
He never seemed like the type of guy that was leaving anything on the table. He took, and made, opportunities for himself. He never appeared apathetic, he was always smiling. He was gifted athletically, and had paid more than his fair share of dues in quest for roasting. It wasn't uncommon to see his teeth had moved about or that a scar was healing. He was a savage, seemingly always getting after it.
We had the opportunity to catch up when he was in Austin last year for Texas Toast. We stumbled into each other randomly, and Dave immediately picked me up off the ground and paraded me around for the better part of a minute. There wasn't much you could do if Dave decided he was going to do something like that, even if you are a 33 year old man. We completely ignored the event and everyone else for the next couple of hours and drank brews by his van, catching up on stories we hadn't had the opportunity to share over the last few years. I'm very happy to have had that opportunity, he hadn't slowed down at all either.
Hearing about his passing today inspired me to share a thought that Dave helped enlighten me to; we all run out of time, so we mustn't waste it. Make use of it. Follow your own crazy. Knock some teeth out of your head and fucking smile about it. Living a good life is all there is, everything else is bullshit.
Thanks Dave.
*Photo by Chris Tolley