The Adventures of Ryan and Kate

This is the story of how we were gifted our tandem. It is a difficult story for me to write, it's beautiful and sad.

At the beginning of the summer we purchased the shiny new Cannondale tandem we had our eyes on since our engagement. A few days later, my dear family friend and neighbor, Greg Mongold had a heart attack and passed away on a tandem ride with his wife Linda. There were less than a mile from home, my parents' neighborhood, "Edgewood Hills". Within the week after his death my mom received a phonecall asking if Ryan and I could use their Santana tandem. For those of you unfamiliar with the bicycle industry (me included) this is a top of the line tandem, that also had a dozen upgrades on it, like disc brakes, all courtesy of Greg. We were speechless and didn't know to accept such a precious gift, but Linda insisted she wanted a couple who would truly enjoy it. We were able to return the Cannondale at Bikesmiths, the owner knew the Mongolds and understood the situation. I have to say this is definitely the most incredible gift we have received as a couple.

This bike means so much to me. Greg Mongold was the one who helped me get into cycling, after I received my road bike as a college graduation present. He did all sorts of maintenance on my bike and gave me lots of tips. I went on rides with him and Linda that summer to get ready for the Hilly Hundred. He is a teacher and always a great encourager and advocate. He was Math department chair at both North and South high school - my mom can't say enough about him as a teacher, and neither can his students.

Picture caption: Greg Mongold, of Bloomington, Ind., kisses his wife at the shoreline of Wallis Sands Beach in Rye on Monday after traveling some 3,622 miles in 50 days as part of the America By Bicycle tour.

I feel very privledged to ride the Mongolds' bike. It's a symbol to me of their great romance. After years of marraige, couples often have separate hobbies and activities, not the Mongolds. They loved cycling together. They rode their bikes across the United States, from the West to the East Coast. It was after that cross country ride they decided to get this tandem. They had many great adventures on it and traveled with it to many exotic places. I'm sure Greg wouldn't have rather done anything else on his last day, than be on this bicycle with his beautiful bride.