"Nothing perfect lasts forever. Except in our
memories." From the poster to the movie: "A River Runs
Through It"
This is a place where people who loved Steve Bowen may feel
free to write a memory they have of him, a story, or to say goodbye to a good
friend. Please share your thoughts by clicking on the "Comments" at the bottom
of the tribute below. You need not be a cyclist to share a memory
here.
Sadly, Steve passed away while riding his last Century of 2012. The photo above is one of the last, if not the last picture taken of Steve on his last ride with
Marcella Piersol. Hollywood sign in the back, big smile on his face, and of course his
CA Triple Crown Jersey!
Steve loved the long hard Double Centuries in the California Triple Crown as shown by his History Report HERE Steve was passionate about all aspects of cycling and was the owner of Palos Verdes Bicycle Center Steve was Vice President of the Los Angeles Wheelmen in 2002, 2003, and 2004. He served as Chairman of the Los Angeles Wheelmen's Grand Tour in 2010. On December 26, 2012, Tony Musorafite wrote:
"Morning everyone ... I know some might wonder why I waited to send
this important information out, but I did not want to ruin anyone’s Christmas
with such sad news. On Sunday, Dec 23rd, Steve Bowen was out with
Marcella Piersol doing his last century of the year (he did one a month with
Marcela). Somewhere around Skirball Center Marcela stopped to wait for Steve,
but he never showed up. She waited a few minutes when a car pulled up next to
her and asked if she was waiting for another cyclist? He told her that there was
a cyclist down just back up the road a bit, and within a minute she was back
with Steve with two motorists already performing CPR.
It was fortunate that one of them was a
doctor who continued CPR until the paramedics arrived. They rushed him to the
hospital and continued CPR for about another ½ hour, but were unable to revive
him.
I was told that Steve will be buried
alongside his mom in Maryland, but aside from that I have no further
information.
I know some of you have already heard the
news, but if anyone has any updated information please feel free to pass it
along. And if any SB Wheelmen riders can pass the message along to the club it
would be much appreciated. I have already informed Planet ultra, and the LA
Wheelmen.
Although I am deeply saddened by the passing
of our great friend and riding comrade, I find some solace in the fact that he
passed doing what he loved doing best…
On Monday 1/21/13, the Palos Verdes Bicycle Center announced:
"In memory of Steve Bowen, we would like to invite you to his Memorial Service at Wayfarers Chapel on Saturday January 26th at 2pm as we share, remember, and celebrate his life.
Wayfarers Chapel 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Please feel free to ride your bike to the service. Please RSVP to events@pvbike.com."
Jim Cook captured this good photo of Steve climbing the steep grade of the White Mountain climb on the 2012 White Mountain Double.
Marcel Hoksbergen posted this beautiful video of Steve's Memorial Ride on Facebook
The California Triple Crown family lost a true legend when John T. Clare passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2012.
Let's celebrate John T's life!!
This is a place where people who loved John T. may feel free to write a memory they have of him, a story, or to say goodbye to a good friend. Please share your thoughts by clicking on the "Comments" at the bottom of the tribute below. You need not be a cyclist to share a memory here.
John T. completed 152 Double Centuries in the California Triple Crown series, more than any other cyclist as of 2011!! And he rode all of those Doubles since 1999!!
Two cycling legends shaking hands.
A memorial ride was held in his honor
on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, lead by his son, John M. Clare.
Roland Hoffman, the California Triple Crown Video Guy, was there
to interview John's son and wife, Sandye, and create
this beautiful video tribute to this great cyclist.
In Roland's video interview here with Sandye, he asked her what it was like to ride some of the California Triple Crown Double Centuries on the tandem together. As she wore John's favorite CalTripleCrown Custom Jersey, she explained: "There's nothing like it. There's nothing like working together, really being a team and really feeling as one. He brought me up to a level where I could ride the Doubles with him. We only did 8 together. I never thought that I could do it and he showed me that I could. That was something very special about John. He could bring you up to more than you thought you could be. He always made me find something better in myself. Because he was very much that way himself. Whatever he did, he was going to be the best at it or he wasn't going to do it. He brought that attitude to me and taught me that."
John's son said, "One of the things he might have been most proud of was when my son, and I and he did the California Triple Crown together. We did the Thousand Mile Club that year. There were a lot of things he was proud of. But he was a family man and very family oriented. That was a family accomplishment. He had a lot of things to be proud of. But I think that might have been one of the things he was most proud of."
The three generations of Clares rode the FIVE Double Centuries together in 2000. Grandpa John T. rode 15 Doubles that year, son John M. rode 7 Doubles that year, and grandson Ian rode 5 Doubles that year. One of the FIVE Doubles that they rode together that year was the Tour of Two Forests which has an "EXTREMELY HIGH" difficulty rating!!
John wrote for his Hall of Fame induction in 2003 that his best long distance cycling experience was : "Completing the Butterfield Double with my son John M. Clare (who has now done 33 Doubles) and my Grandson Ian Clare (who has done 6 Doubles, the 1st at 13 years of age).You just can’t get a better high than doing something like this with your son and grandson!It was the greatest!"
From his 2003 Hall of Fame induction: "On the bike, he sometimes gets philosophical and thinks about how fortunate he is to be in great health and live in a place where he can just go out and ride my bike like this.Also how lucky he is to have a wife who has been with me for 41 years and a great son and a great daughter of whom he isvery proud, and 3 terrific grandkids.What more could a person ask for?
His advice to new riders is:
- Pace yourself (don’t take off so fast, slow down and remember this is 200 miles you’re doing here)
- Eat right (don’t try something new, stick with what works for you)
- HYDRATE
- And remember that trying to gain time by going like a banshee downhill isn’t worth the risk.It’s wiser to gain your time on the climbs, not the descents
His biggest improvement in the last year has been more consistent training which has given him much better condition.
He shared a funny story with me.On one occasion, he was riding along with a couple of other guys.We passed a rider with a flat on the side of the road.Without stopping, one of the guys he was riding with asked if the guy with the flat needed anything.He asked for a tube.Still not missing a pedal-stroke, this guy pulled a tube out of his jersey pocket and tossed it to him, hitting him squarely in the face.As they continued on, they heard “thanks!” … all of this transpired without the halting of their forward movement.
Another great story he shared: "I was riding on a particularly windy day in an area covered with tumbleweeds.At one point, there was a huge gust of wind, and the rider in front of me was suddenly engulfed in this massive 6-foot tumbleweed.It virtually swallowed up both man and bike.The poor guy struggled along trying in vain to extricate himself from this thing.Those of us riding with him finally suggested that he turn around and let the wind blow the darned thing off him, which he did.The plan worked, but the poor guy was really scratched up, and I don’t think he ever wants to hear the word “tumbleweed” again as long as he lives!"
He is rightfully proud of cycling at this level at age 62 and still feeling like he's 35.His personal philosophy is to act young and you will be young.
He listed his proudest cycling achievements as:
- 1999 Hemet Double Century:1st male rider in (along with Marc Patton). - 2000 Hemet Double Century:1st male rider in (along with Gregory Somerville)Time: 10:54:00
- 2002 Fall Death Valley Double Century:Came in with Craig Robertson, Kenneth Holloway, and Graham Pollack in 10:49:00, two minutes behind the 1st male rider in.
- 2002 Furnace Creek 508:Team Bluebird, age 50+, second place in under 30 hours.
- He did 15 double centuries in 2001 and 15 double centuries in 2002 and he completed his 50th Double Century this year on the Solvang Double which was a great moment as we rode across the Finish Line together!!
In the 2004 Spring Death Valley Double, it was a pleasure
to climb Hell's Gate in the daylight with John.
I was riding WAY above myself here being towed by John
Sandye was waiting for her husband after a fantastic day of cycling!!
John was inducted into the Furnace Creek 508 Hall of Fame in 2009 and you can see some great photos of him HERE.
In this video from the 2010 Camino Real Double, you can see John T. Clare riding east from Oceanside from 0:20 to 0:50. He was very smooth on the bike. Later he's seen pulling Chuck north to San Juan Capistrano.
On the 2011 Knoxville Double, John looked so young on the bike. No one would believe he was 70 years old!! Photo courtesy of Steve Meichtry
On the 2011 Knoxville Double, Alan Ptak and I were able to hook up with John at mile 150.
It was my 100th Double Century. I didn't realize it but it was John's 150th Double Century. I was so happy to come up on him and be able to ride with John. He was always a good guy to ride with but usually he was miles and miles ahead of me by late in the ride. I found out that the only reason I was able to catch up with him was that he was recovering from the White Mountain Double which he rode the week before. He explained that at age 70, it was taking him a little longer to recover from these tougher Double Centuries and the difficulty of White Mountain slowed him down a little on Knoxville. I was so honored to ride with John!! To finish my 100th and his 150th with John and Alan was the perfect way to complete these major milestone rides for all of us!!
All smiles at the last Rest Stop of the Knoxville Double.
At the finish, Frank Neal, the California Triple Crown Data Guy,
checked us in. This was a great moment for John and I, made better by the fact that we both rode in together.
The next day, John was a very sharp dressed man in his CalTripleCrown Stage Race Jersey!! Lynn Katano made the Hall of Famers CalTripleCrown badges with the numbers of Doubles that each of us have ridden. Note than John's badge reads 150!!
John, you were a great inspiration to me and to many cyclists.
Thanks for leading the way.
Our thoughts and hearts are with your family.
We will honor you in the days and months ahead.
Chuck Bramwell California Triple Crown Guy
John M. Clare and Scott Clare rode the 2013 Camino Real Double and wrote: "Last weekend my younger son Scott and I got to honor my dad by riding the Camino
Real Double. We rode the Calfee tandem that Mom and Dad rode in 8 doubles. We
had a great time on a wonderful ride. Dad made sure we had great weather and no
mechanical issues. We miss him but it is a privledge to honor him on the road
with all of our CTC friends."
