Originally Posted by BluesDawg

I finished the build last night. I had been waiting for my handlebars, Salsa Cowbell 3. I have been thinking for a while what to name this new bike, going through many monster references and other ideas. Nothing was really sticking.

While working on the final assembly, I learned the sad news that Levon Helm, my brother in throat cancer, is near death. I'm not sure of the details, but his family posted that he was near the end of his battle with cancer. I was not aware that he was battling cancer agin and I don't know if it was a recurrance of the throat cancer or something else.

I have long been a big fan of Levon's music with The Band and his later solo work. When I got sick in 2008, I was inspired by his story of dealing with a very similar case as mine and have considered him an older, more talented brother ever since. This news hit me like a ton of bricks and I must admit that I sat at my desk sobbing for a while. I flooded Facebook with videos of some of my favorite songs by Levon and The Band and listened while building my bike.

It soon became clear what my new bike's name would be. And he shall be Levon.

First ride is coming later today, along, I hope, with better pictures. It might be raing today, but Levon and I will be riding.