Inspired by Scott

On occasion before, I have admitted to aviation inspiration in my cycling, such as here, here, and here. In my last cycling commute, on April 5th, I took my cycling commute inspiration from another source; a fellow University of Washington alum. Scott Crossfield.

Scott appeared in a supporting role in "The Right Stuff" as a "civilian pilot" of the D558-2 that was the first plane to exceed Mach 2. Less well known was his attitude towards flight that was demonstrated in his role as chief contractor test pilot in the X-15 program. Scott endured much in that program, including a vehicle that exploded under him, and another that broke as he performed an emergency landing. Even so, in his last X-15 flight, he followed orders and did not exceed Mach 3 or climb into space. Watch the embedded video starting 46 minutes and 50 seconds in and for the following minute.

That example was my inspiration for my commute on April 5th. I went in and came home. No close calls, no "death on my left," no attempts to advocate cycling by exaggerating its danger (no links for this one, but I'm sure my loyal reader can think of many such sites and organizations). Simply getting the job done.

Thanks, Scott. UW Aero Class of 1947. Watch starting at about 46 minutes and 50 seconds in to the video. The entire show is, IMO, worth watching but that segment contains Scott's recollections and attitude. Simply getting the job done. So now we can move on to new topics...

Scott Crossfield Gets the Job Done Starting at 46:50

 

Go Outside, Shaggy

Chandra, Contemplating Coffee

 

Shaggy Goes Outside

Last Friday, I made my last commute. It passed without any events of note, much like the 487 bike commutes that preceded it. No close calls. No motorists out for blood. But that is the event of a post not far off in the future. In the meantime, today's post means a lot more. It may represent the last time I see "Shaggy."

Honda Stickers

Hopefully, it will not be the last I see of Chandra, first noted on this blog here. It was nearly four years ago - crimeny, where has the time gone? Since then, there have been many shared experiences. We went to cycling school together - twice. We also went to instructor school together. Besides various rides and other events. For a sampling of them, go here. Greatly neglected in all these events has been Shaggy, the long-suffering dog, and the Honda with the bumper stickers on it.

It seems that Chandra is leaving North Texas, and his last day at work here was the same as my own. I hope we'll have more to do together in the future. Still, it may be the last time I saw Shaggy in all his glory...

Chandra in "High Vis"