By Steve Lita, Editor

I have some sad news to share this month. But, in the end, there is some contentment. Longtime RoadBike readers will surely remember the ranting of our cantankerous Former Resident Curmudgeon and Associate Editor George P. Blumberg. George left full-time status with the magazine starting with the June 2005 issue, leaving the slot open for some punk, no-name, magazine editor wanna-be: namely me. He stayed on as a contributing columnist and feature writer, though, and in more recent years, he requested a more cerebral column name: Thinking Aloud.

In early 2008, George informed me that he was ill and would be slowing down his pace while he underwent treatment. George told me this in confidence; I think he regarded me as a friend and motorcycling colleague, as I did him. His inner circle of friends, and there were many, knew what was going on, but the general public continued to read on as George kept working his craft, writing for RoadBike, American Iron, AutoWeek, and The New York Times. The summer saw George feeling better and responding well to therapy. He and his wife, Pat, enjoyed a fun-filled season jam-packed with motorcycle riding, trips, sailing, and sports cars. She said it was “a summer full of smiles.” He even pitched the story you’ll read on page 58 of this issue chronicling as many motorcycle museums in the US as he could discover. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than riding to, and taking in, a cool bike, car, or airplane museum, so I jumped on it right away.

Communication with George was sporadic throughout the summer. I knew that if he didn’t return a call or an e-mail he was “busy” being treated, but he’d always catch up afterward. I heard some positive progress reports, and we kept George in the loop, swapping bikes around and getting him some seat time. Around the same period midyear, I planned a trip to Livermore, California, to spend time at the Cruiser Customizing parts outlet to lend a hand wrenching on a project bike. I knew it was a Honda VTX we were about to renovate, but more details than that I did not know. That’s where I met an extraordinary person in the bike’s owner, cancer survivor Polly Kavanaugh, the featured subject of this month’s Reader Profile (page 24). I got to spend time working shoulder to shoulder with her on the Honda, and a nicer, more genuine, life-loving rider of motorcycles I have never met. She was visibly moved when she saw the finished product, and more appreciative than a kid on Christmas morning. Just the other day I received a nondescript package, and inside was a handmade mug (microwave and dishwasher safe, she was careful to point out) with a huge “Thanks, Steve” emblazoned on it. In the enclosed note, she updated me on her riding, breast cancer walk schedule, personal accomplishments, birthday, and minor thumb injury, as well as gushed some more thank yous for the bike build. The ending was marked with six words that hit me hard, “Ride on and enjoy life every day — Polly.”

I received her package and note just days after learning that my friend and colleague George had passed away. The day before he passed, he sent me an e-mail titled End Of The Run. Short and sweet, the last sentence of his e-mail to me said, “It’s been great writing for you, and I hope the readers enjoyed. George.” I’m sure they did, George. I did, too. At the celebration of George’s life, a friend spoke of his intelligence, intensity, and integrity. It must have appeared rude of me, but I had to write that down when I heard it. It was so true of George. Most all his other friends spoke of his corny sense of humor, which I’ll miss. George was one of the staffers to interview me when I first applied here at RoadBike. He helped train me, and I learned so much from him. I can humbly say that I would not be here at RoadBike if not for George.

The good news is that we haven’t heard the last of George. No, he’s not going to write to me from the great beyond. He submitted several stories before his passing. Current Associate Editor Jon Langston found a traditional Gaelic blessing, which I feel says it best: