BSG team members, cycling community friends, and Connie.

Time with Larry Kemp.

I was with Larry Kemp in his final moment as his life drained out of him. I spent his final week with him in Mallorca while he pursued his passion for cycling at the racing camp. I was one of the beneficiaries of his loyalty and dedication to our cycling team for the past four years.

The accident last Tuesday took Larry's life in an instant. One second we were riding in a two-up pace line on a small country road, on a beautiful morning eagerly awaiting the steep climbs and scenery to come. It was to be an epic day. The next moment he was struck broadside by a car. He never knew what hit him. Despite valiant efforts by our group and professional medics, Larry could not be saved. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. But for the grace of God, it could have been not one of our group but three or four of us. All that separated Larry from his fate and ours was one or two seconds in time.

I have never seen Larry happier than he was during this final week of life. Surrounded by cycling coaches, mechanics, racers, seigneurs, and cycling teams from all over the world, Larry was enthused about every moment of this experience. He was planning his racing season with the coach, he was racing to the top of every climb in and effort to get the self appointed KOM award, and he sprinted for every little town limit sign. We rode by day and watched Paris Nice live on Eurosport in the afternoon. Larry's favorite times were with Johnny - our 60-year-old Danish mechanic. Johnny has worked the tour for teams like Kelme for 30 years and has been to 139 countries. After each daylong ride, Larry would hang with Johnny in front of the hotel as Johnny tuned the bikes to precision. Sipping Spanish beer, Larry and Johnny would discuss things like the position of Bernard Hinault's handlebars. Larry's obsession for Campagnolo was central to his debates with Johnny. Renee Wenzel, our coach, stated that in his twenty years of coaching the US National and Saturn teams he had never met a guy with a deeper passion for cycling. Larry's love for cycling seemed even more boundless on this final week of his time on earth.

Over the past four years Larry has been a devoted and loyal member of our cycling club. He was my original connection to the club - we met at the Jerry Baker ride on New Year's Day 2000. Larry has been indefatigable in performing duties and organization for the club. He never said no to any thing I asked him to do. He never missed a team ride. He was at the start line as often as any member of our club. Larry was never destined to be on the podium often yet he gave it every ounce of effort he had every day.

Larry died clad in the BSG team kit. From head to toe every piece of clothing bore the signature of our team. He was the most dedicated and loyal team member I have ever known. His loss leaves a big hole and void in my life and our team. He connected me to a new community and like Larry this team is like a family to me. Larry and I planned to grow old together cycling the famous routes of Europe and chasing the great races. I loved the guy and I miss him. I will be forever grateful for the gifts he gave me the past four years.

Thank you for being here with us today to remember Larry.

Dan