Ali, we salute you! You are missed.

G O O D B Y E . A L I . J A N U A R Y . 2 0 0 7

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Guestbook   Show guestbook | Sign guestbook   # Page: 1 | 2 |  EntryNo: 10  Date: Wednesday 22:07 03.01.2007 . Breakfast on the Bridge in Vancouver » click to enlarge «.  EntryNo: 9  Date: Wednesday 21:55 03.01.2007 Ayleen Russelll, Jane and Ali » click to enlarge «On our ambassadorial trip to Vancouver, B.C. that Lee mentions below, we lost Ali. It wasn't our fault, it wasn't Ali's fault. He was just so calm unlocking his bike after a night of Indian food, taking his own sweet time (as Ali was wont to do) that he didn't realize we left and we didn't realize he wasn't with us. He didn't try to catch up with us, he just went back to the house and waited. We didn't realize he was gone until we got way up to the hill we climbed to overlook the city. After that, we implemented an Ali rule: that at every stop we counted off before we hit the road. In all the time I knew Ali, I don't think I ever once saw him rush - walk fast, ride fast or otherwise. On that same Vancouver trip, Ali discussed, with amazement, his observance that "non-advanced" bike riders didn't know to pedal with the balls of the feel, as opposed to the arch. A few months ago he marveled at my riding in a higher gear and spinning less, something he had never before considered but that he described as looking relaxed and elegant. I've got a lot of great, quirky moments of Ali in my head. They'll all swimming around these days. It's great to recall all the fun times, but sad to have it sink in that there won't be any more of them with Ali.  EntryNo: 8  Date: Wednesday 20:19 03.01.2007 adventure! I will miss Ali. He was a welcome presence not only on MMR, but on the Pedal Potluck Picnic rides, where I believe he also set an attendance record. He'd always run a li'l late, and I knew I couldn't take off without him. He brought his guitar along for the ride often and would play music for us after we ate. I don't know what we'll do without him... urbanadventureleague.blogspot.com  EntryNo: 7  Date: Wednesday 17:34 03.01.2007 kirsty ali was one of the first people i met, during my first three days in portland. we rode a pedal potluck picnic to two plum park, and he shared some amazing munchies with us all. he was always fun and interesting to talk to by the fire with his guitar on midnight mystery rides. ali, you're sorely missed. x  EntryNo: 6  Date: Wednesday 17:13 03.01.2007 Ben I remember hanging out with Ali at so many early mystery rides, rocking out when I brought my guitar or just singing with him. He taught me America's "Horse with no name" and Bjork's "Hunter" and a few others. I remember a few memorable karaoke rides with him also --- Ali could do Neil Young like no-one else. He was always a kind and gentle man, and I will miss him, as will Portland's bike community.  EntryNo: 5  Date: Wednesday 16:05 03.01.2007 Lee Henderson Ali joined an early ambassadorial visit to Vancouver, BC and that is when I first met him. He was the only other person I knew who played a classical guitar with strings reversed like I do and he helped me sing my bike songs in Portland when I visited there. bikesexual.org/dinos  EntryNo: 4  Date: Wednesday 16:03 03.01.2007 Carl Thanks to Ali, whenever I go on a themed ride, I end up humming the Midnight Mystery Ride tune with modified lyrics ("The Cash Money Alley Cat...we rode there on our bikes...Alley Cat..."). I'm not going to pretend it wasn't a little annoying, but it was always a pleasant reminder of my Beatles-loving, snack-bringing, soft-spoken friend. On the Urban Adventure League's Pedal Potluck Picnics, Ali was an essential ingredient to the diverse stew of regular attendees: a young, history-obsessed leader/punk, the queen of a mini-bike dance troupe, a one-legged locksmith, a rocket scientist, a technology-obsessed boat person...and Ali the Iraqi translator and troubadour. I remember asking a friend, "Who IS that guy?" after first meeting Ali. I don't feel like I ever got to the bottom of that question -wish I'd gotten to know him better- and that makes me sad, but I'm very grateful for the time I did share with him and all the stories I've heard about him. Ride on, Ali.  EntryNo: 3  Date: Wednesday 15:05 03.01.2007 Lee Henderson, Fossilosopher Ali joined an early ambassadorial visit to Vancouver, BC and that is when I first met him. He was the only other person I knew who played a classical guitar with strings reversed like I do and he helped me sing my bike songs in Portland when I visited there. I wish I'd had a chance to get to know him better. bikesexual.org/dinos  EntryNo: 2  Date: Wednesday 14:52 03.01.2007 Chris Ali was a really nice person. It seemed like he couldn't hurt a soul. I will certainly miss seeing him along on the rides. So long, my friend. Your time with us was too short.  EntryNo: 1  Date: Wednesday 12:05 03.01.2007 Team Midnight Please leave your remembrancecs of Ali, Team Midnight Superstar. yeabikes.net/midnight « previous page