RIP Cowbell Guy
09-02-15, 08:37 AM
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RIP Cowbell Guy
I never knew his name, but he was a familiar and welcome face sitting on the bench alongside the American River Bike Trail (just east of the 19-mile marker). Whenever he'd see someone on a bike he'd ring a cowbell and shout words of encouragement. Last night on our commute home, we noticed flowers on his usual bench; we had to stop and check it out. It seems he passed away a few days ago. Another rider who stopped by mentioned that he heard he had cancer of some sort. We all expressed our surprise and sadness; I had just seen him the week before on my commute home - he rang his cowbell, I rang my bike bell. I always meant to stop by and chat with him to find out his story; now I guess I never will. Hopefully some folks around here knew him and can fill in his details.
RIP Cowbell Guy.
KenshiBiker
Edit: His name was Garland. There will be a meetup near the bench on which he used to sit, from about 5:30 to 6:30 tonight (September 2), organized by Hammerin Wheels (I'm not a member so hopefully posting this info is OK - just found out about the meetup by Googling "Garland").
RIP Cowbell Guy.
KenshiBiker
Edit: His name was Garland. There will be a meetup near the bench on which he used to sit, from about 5:30 to 6:30 tonight (September 2), organized by Hammerin Wheels (I'm not a member so hopefully posting this info is OK - just found out about the meetup by Googling "Garland").
Last edited by KenshiBiker; 09-02-15 at 02:44 PM. Reason: More Info
09-02-15, 11:26 AM
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If I were a little closer to retirement, I'd be a cowbell guy with my own bench too.
09-02-15, 12:33 PM
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One of my co-workers said he saw him out riding on Sunday. Ringing his cowbell and riding his bike to the end. Yeah, I admire his priorities in life.
09-02-15, 09:31 PM
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I'm sad. A fixture on the ARBT--always a smile and a good word plus the cowbell.
09-03-15, 10:35 AM
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09-03-15, 10:00 PM
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I never knew his name but he was awesome. I rode the ARBT a lot when I lived in Fair Oaks. He would always give me a holler, a cheer, a nod. Always had a great attitude and he spread it around. He'll be missed.
09-08-15, 12:41 PM
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There will be a "Garland Party" this Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Fun, Food and Music to be had; at Garland's Bench (near the 19 mile marker on the ARBT). Bring your cowbell.
