Weighty Issue

Ernest Gagnon is a pretty damn impressive fellow. Two years ago he tipped the scales at over 500 pounds and had a wealth of other health issues. Instead of surgery, or simply doing nothing he decides he's going to lose the weight training for and competing in a cyclocross race. Now he's down 240 pounds. You can read the full story here.

I'm mightily impressed with his accomplishments, but what I find equally cool is the acceptance and support he found in the cycling community. Serious cyclists can be an intimidating. Lycra. Gazillion dollar carbon rides. Jackrabbit bodies. And a language that only vaguely resembles English. And, that's just the serious road folks. Racers are an even more intense crew.

Yet these awesome folks accepted this morbidly obese man, and even helped him on his journey. I've found mostly accepting, encouraging people in cycling. Yes, there are bike snobs -- but there are snobs in any pursuit whether you're talking wine or wingshooting. But this group went above and beyond to help a man struggling with a major life issue achieve a positive outcome.

Why the mass media doesn't seem to be able to find stories like these amazes me. We can spend hours on Justin Bieber's antics, but a guy loses 240 pounds through personal strength and courage and he's overlooked. In an era of rampant Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and other weight-impacted health issues, we should all hoist Mr. Gagnon on our shoulders and lap the cyclocross course with him.

Kudos to all involved in this fantastic story.

-Sean-