The riders (part 11 of 15)

This is my buddy Hugh, the only rider I knew at the outset of the
Trans-Am ride. I've known Hugh for maybe 20-25 years -- thru the
Wolfmen (softball), and school/PTA stuff, and mutual friends. And of
course we've done some riding together. But I've experienced some new
facets of his personality -- the essence of his persona -- on this
ride. Hugh left all his maps at home. Hugh fell asleep at the intro
meeting of the group. On our very first ride, Hugh dropped his hotel
key on the road. (Clive picked it up.) Hugh left his chair at home.
And his new GPS watch. Hugh bought a mirror but it fell off his bike,
and he lost it. Hugh left his dog zapper (Jeff K's dog zapper,
actually) by the Bumpass VA post office. (Clive picked it up, but
didn't know what it was, so left it there.) Hugh left his backpack in
a restaurant in Burgin KY, but two guys in a pick-up came by and said
they'd seen it there, so he went back and retrieved it. (He said he
thought he was feeling unusually refreshed and strong post-break, but
couldn't quite figure out why.) Hugh's brand-new bike broke. Hugh had
the group's 1st flat, two weeks into the ride--and then the 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th flats the next day. "Hugh -- the next turn is in 8 miles; we
go left on 184," I say. Next thing I know, in 1 mile he's turning
right on route 63. But, as he says, other than that, the ride is going
really well. Actually, in spite of all his misadventures, Hugh retains
a remarkably positive, and infectious, upbeat attitude. He's also
perhaps the most social human being ever born. You've got to factor in
an extra 10 minutes, minimum, if you stop at some middle-of-nowhere
store for a Gatorade break, in order to allow Hugh time to chat up the
proprietor about local history, how he/she came to own the place, top-
selling items, the frequency of biking customers, the general arc of
mercantilism in America, etc etc etc.

(Late breaking news: as I write this, in a state park just into so.
Illinois, I'm told that Hugh had to run back to the pool/shower to
retrieve his bike shorts and sandals.)

At a recent awards ceremony, Hugh won the not-at-all-coveted prize for
the "most bad occurrences while biking" -- the rest of the group
COMBINED couldn't touch him. He wears his prize, a 2nd yellow warning
triangle, with pride.

And speaking of what he wears, this picture shows Hugh in his standard
biking regalia -- long pants, long-sleeve shirt, hat under the helmet
with visor and neck cover. (Dermatologist's orders.) Michael,one of
our leaders, has taken to calling him Lawrence, as in "... of Arabia."
It kinda fits.