Rodney "White Socks" Johnson, RIP
Posted by Patty Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:39:00 GMT
Today we learned that Rodney Johnson lost his life to pancreatic cancer, and we are feeling just a profound sense of sadness. Rodney was a good man. The kind of quiet and unassuming guy some people might ignore as being a bit too dorky; not nearly hip or “in” enough. But if you ever got the chance to get to know Rodney, you would silently shrink, and feel like such an idiot for judging a book by its cover.
Rodney Johnson
Rodney was a quiet, gentle, man. A giant in deed if not power output or outward appearance. A completely modest person, he never talked much about his contributions to our sport, but there can be no denying that he was the right guy in the right place at the right time. Several times.
You see, Rodney, Mr. “White Socks” Johnson, helped create the International Mountain Bicycling Association in 1988. He sat on the very first IMBA board of directors, and helped file the articles of incorporation and establish its non-profit status and bylaws. He helped create the “Six Rules of the Trail” which still stand today as an excellent code of ethics for mountain bikers.
He was one of the founders of ROMP, our local mountain bike advocacy organization, which combined with five other California clubs to create IMBA.
And he was also one of the founders of Mere Mortals, too. The club whose motto is “Our fast is everyone else’s slow.” Rodney fit right in. His longstanding battle with chronic fatigue syndrome pulled him off the bike for many years. It wasn’t until just recently that he got back on the bike and renewed his love for the sport at a more relaxed pace.
In the picture above, you can see his cotton shirt, signature tall white socks, and happy attitude in a Lee McCormack clinic, working on his skills just like everyone else. Rodney was proof that you didn’t have to look like a way cool dude to have a great time on a bike.
Tailwinds and downhills now for you, Rodney. You will be missed.
I had the pleasure of riding/teaching with Rodney, and he is indeed a great fellow.
Let’s hope he’s ripping now …
leelikesbikes.com
Thank you for your tribute to my brother, Rodney. He was extremely intelligent with a kind heart and a gentle soul. The family has found it very gratifying to know that he had many friends not only from his high school days who attended his visition and graveside service but also from his biking activities and legal work at Stanford.
Rodney received great pleasure from his riding and enjoyed the visits, cards, and calls from his friends throughout his battle. We deeply appreciate your recognition of his contributions to the biking community and for your caring.
Judy Johnson
Dear Judy, and the rest of the Johnson family,
I hope you receive this. I just want to say how much I enjoyed riding with Rodney. When I struggled with some health problems of my own two yrs ago, his example always spurred me to push to new heights. My best rides ever on Russian Ridge, after taking up spinning again, was with Rodney. He took such pleasure in other people’s achievements and rarely spoke of his own.
He was so patient in helping people navigate hair pin turns or climbing up rocky inclines. And at the top he always rewarded riders with his customary chocolate covered cranberries, raisins and nuts. I never could figure out how they did not melt like mine.
Always methodical, he motored up hills despite how he was feeling, or the state of his bike tires or chain which occasionally gave him trouble. He never complained, and he was always concerned about safety, from the sunscreen on his nose, to the famous white socks. It struck me how little I really knew of Rodney’s life, because he lived in the moment and taught others to seize the moment also. It gives me chills to think that even as his time here was coming to a close, he encouraged others to get back on the saddle. Whenever I do so, I think of Rodney and ride for him. I am glad he is now renewed in body and spirit, and I look forward to seeing him on the hills in Heaven. I hope there wil be mountain bikes! No doubt, Rodney will have started a club! Yvonne