- Aug 7, 2010
- 404
- 0
- 0
Robin Williams / Comedian, Actor, Writer, Bicyclist: July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014
Well known public figure Robin Williams died earlier today at his Tiburon, California home under circumstances that will surely dominate the news for the next few days. While some will best remember him as “Mork from Ork” or from his many movie roles and voice over roles, or for his comedy stand-up routines that his peers regard as being among the funniest in the biz, I prefer to remember him for something that gave a glimpse into his “real” self away from show biz. Robin Williams was one of us—he was a cyclist and a passionate one at that.
Many among the San Francisco Bay area cycling community tell of early morning encounters with a cheerful and unassuming rider named “Robin” who seemingly had no destination but liked to join on with other cyclists and accompany them wherever. It was only later that some of these cyclist realized who their impromptu riding partner was. He was spotted at Interbike and at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show a time or two where he’d wander the aisles drooling over the latest hardware much like the rest of the hardware junkies. But unlike most, Williams could afford to buy the objects of his cycling lust and it was rumored that he owned over 50 high end bikes.
Robin Williams was never a svelte speedster, never raced or aspired to cycling greatness. But he rode whenever he could—for the joy, for the therapeutic aspect, for the freedom and for the sheer love of rolling along on a pair of wheels. He once said, “When I’m riding my bicycle I feel like a Buddhist who is happy just to enjoy his mundane existence,” which is something that I believe every cyclist can understand.
Well known public figure Robin Williams died earlier today at his Tiburon, California home under circumstances that will surely dominate the news for the next few days. While some will best remember him as “Mork from Ork” or from his many movie roles and voice over roles, or for his comedy stand-up routines that his peers regard as being among the funniest in the biz, I prefer to remember him for something that gave a glimpse into his “real” self away from show biz. Robin Williams was one of us—he was a cyclist and a passionate one at that.
Many among the San Francisco Bay area cycling community tell of early morning encounters with a cheerful and unassuming rider named “Robin” who seemingly had no destination but liked to join on with other cyclists and accompany them wherever. It was only later that some of these cyclist realized who their impromptu riding partner was. He was spotted at Interbike and at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show a time or two where he’d wander the aisles drooling over the latest hardware much like the rest of the hardware junkies. But unlike most, Williams could afford to buy the objects of his cycling lust and it was rumored that he owned over 50 high end bikes.
Robin Williams was never a svelte speedster, never raced or aspired to cycling greatness. But he rode whenever he could—for the joy, for the therapeutic aspect, for the freedom and for the sheer love of rolling along on a pair of wheels. He once said, “When I’m riding my bicycle I feel like a Buddhist who is happy just to enjoy his mundane existence,” which is something that I believe every cyclist can understand.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram