I wanted to share this note I wrote and read to Paul as this is a glimpse into my experience being Paul's coworker, friend and biking buddy. I feel so blessed to have known him, learned from him, been inspired by him and grateful for the huge impact he had on my life.  

To one of the best guys I know (Paul),

I wanted to write this note in case I can’t express these words in person because I’d be too choked up. Life definitely feels unfair right now. The words “I’m sorry” don’t begin to cover how I feel about the cards you were dealt in this life but I’m hopeful during this next phase of no more treatment you can find peace in knowing you lived life to the absolute fullest and spread so much joy to those around you. I’m going to try to express how grateful I am for the time I got to share with you as I shed many tears writing this. Paul, your zest for life, unparalleled optimism, strong faith, unwavering positivity, loving marriage, insane amount of patience, off the charts intelligence and the joy you radiated when on a bike are things I’ll never forget, especially the hooting and hollering down your favorite trails. I have been lucky enough until now never to have to say goodbye to someone too soon. To say you’ve had an impact on my life is a huge under statement. I cherish all the years I was fortunate enough to call you a colleague and a friend and these last few years when you finally convinced me to get into mountain biking have been some of my favorite memories.

Here are a few things I’ll never forget: early morning dawn laps at bear mountain, watching you absolutely crush it at our pump track sessions, the slap happy tears of laughter during our co-worker backpacking trip to the Trinity Alps (the dutch bros drink mix up, realizing muffin tops caused muffin tops, the way you hung back with Jason when his feet were hurting like the kind/patient soul you are), the pivotal skills sessions down the baby hill at roaring camp that forever changed my confidence on the bike, all the videos you sent before my first enduro race to inspire Shelby and I and just the feeling of general encouragement, advice, and friendship you provided around work, biking and loving life. I will do my darnedest to continue to carry that with me in life and remember those lessons you taught me. Thank you will never be enough for introducing me to a hobby that has allowed me to strengthen my community of friends, spend more time outdoors, meet cool mountain bike boys and embrace the joy and smiles of life on two wheels. As I prepare to head to Utah on a bike trip with friends I’ll most definitely be riding for you, Paul, my friend, bike mentor, coach. I’ll try and carry with me the ever-present-stoke you always had as I think fondly back on the many trail memories we made. Whenever your time runs out I know there are some fun Dusty, Cobb and Chuppa laps waiting for you in heaven I just hope everyone can keep up with you up there.