Jack Berry was famous for bringing new riders to Growlers. I’ve often said that - in a previous life - Jack was a fitness instructor for Hitler Youth. He was fine when it came to recruiting people. Problems typically ensued when they came out and got on a bike. After a trail or two, Jack would lose his patience and ride off and leave them.
It was a weekday. Jack texted me to see if I wanted to ride with him and a young dude from his work. The guy seemed fit, sort of thin and energetic looking. Probably in his early 20s. When they got to my house, the new guy started hopping his bike in my driveway. I hate that shit.
All seemed fine as we rode up the pavement. But about halfway up the Power Line Hill, I could tell the new guy was starting to have respiratory problems. When we got to the top, he got off his bike and told Jack, “I’m not feeling so good.” I rolled my eyes. Same shit, different day with Jack’s new guys.
Jack told him to ride gravel to the intersection so he could recover his senses. Meanwhile, we rode Mr. T. He said he was feeling a little better when we reconnected, so we rolled down Walk in the Park.
At the bottom, the young dude started hurling. It took him a while to finish. When he finally stopped, Jack told him how to get back to my house. Yep, his experience at Growlers included one trail - Walk in the Park.
I was on Jack’s ass as we rode the lower trails. He kept trying to defend himself. “The guy said he was fit and had good bike skills. Plus, he’s young. You can’t blame me.”
Yeah, I could.