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FROM THE SUMMIT (Dedicated to the memory of FFBC club member, Cheyenne C. Willey – July 4, 1969 –
As Jim and I prepared to enter the mortuary Saturday, January 7, 2006 for services commemorating the life of Cheyenne C. Willey, a reporter from KTVU Channel 2 approached and asked us if he could ask a few questions. After we said it would be OK, he pulled out a photo of my friend Cheyenne in his army uniform, looking very serious, and asked what I thought when I looked at the photo. I couldn’t answer because the photo did not stir memories of the man I knew as Cheyenne C. Willey. It is for this reason I resolved to dedicate this newsletter column to the Cheyenne C. Willey I and other FFBC members remember. Cheyenne C. Willey began his long association with the Fremont Freewheelers in late 1989 or early 1990. His love of bicycling and his ever present engaging smile were two of his most obvious distinguishing characteristics. His lack of perceptible ego, quiet demeanor and cycling expertise belied his obvious youthfulness. Cheyenne introduced himself to us as Chris and did not begin using Cheyenne until early 1991. Shortly after Chris began accompanying us on club rides, I fell into the habit of treating him as a little brother. He never seemed to mind and, as is often typical of a younger brother, would often allow me to “boss” him around. One particular club ride comes to mind. We were riding the Palomares Loop and, as was often the case, he quickly sprinted out of sight only to find himself waiting for some time until we more mortal riding companions began to join him. He must have been waiting a lengthy amount of time when I finally slugged my way to the top and found him standing with his characteristically large grin. I looked at him in pain and obvious oxygen deprivation and said, “You know Chris, it is a club policy that the youngest rider to the top goes back down and hauls up the last rider.” After I had a few moments to catch my breath and regain my composure, I looked around to find Chris nowhere in sight. I shouted to no one in particular, “Does anyone know what happened to Chris?” Someone replied, “I’m not sure but I just saw him heading back down the road.” Dave Fishbaugh remembered a particularly painful Calaveras loop ride when a group of about five or six real crazies, including Cheyenne, began the ride with the temperature around 12 degrees. The temperature never rose above 30 degrees for the entire ride. While most cyclists sported booties or balaclavas, Cheyenne wore no substantial cold weather gear, yet Cheyenne was the only one still smiling at the end of that frigid ride. Al Quintana remembers that over a period of several months, Cheyenne would come out for his Wednesday/Friday rides. Al remembers, “when he did ride with the club, whether it was a weekday or weekend ride, he enjoyed riding and socializing with the rest of the cyclists. But, to me at least, he seemed to get the most satisfaction from testing himself and his abilities by pushing hard. … He was willing, and sometimes happy, to suffer to make himself better.” Sally and Darryl Wilson also remember Cheyenne’s cycling ability. “… we often refer to his smooth style and consistency when we speak of the better riders in the club.” Herm Rosenbaum will continue to “remember him with respect, admiration and affection. …” And former FFBC president, Scott Campbell “remembers Chris mostly for his smile and his laughter. He was a good man and a good friend. He served as the newsletter editor during part of my term as President of the FFBC.” Anne and Russ Bush shared with me that Cheyenne, who was a neighbor, often came by and spent time with Russ reminiscing about their shared military service experiences. Time spent together engaged in this activity was very important to both of them. The fact that a generation separated their experience played no part in their ability to relate and understand each other. Often he would join them as they bicycle commuted to club rides. In closing, I would like to share several remarks made by Cheyenne’s younger sister, Stacy, during his memorial service. Stacy referred to her comments as “ Cheyenne’s Legacy” and observed that he often found ways to help her become a better person. Cheyenne’s Legacy included:
And my favorite:
Although, over the years I saw less and less of Cheyenne as his work, family and the army took up more and more of his time, I believe there was always a place in his heart for the Fremont Freewheelers. There will always be a place in my heart for Cheyenne Willey. See you on the road. Karen White |
