To the Family of Nicole Reinhart
Thoughts While Standing at 83 Highland Avenue
---------------------------------------------
 
Of this all, and thanks to Nicole Reinhart, I now know one thing to be true.
What makes this world turn is beautiful old ladies.
 
For while standing at 83 Highland Avenue, every day since Sunday and 
sometimes four times a day, I have yet to be there when an 
older woman hasn't shown up with flowers.
 
To them, Nicole was nothing more than pretty yellow blur. 
A champion of a generation of women, 
standing atop their tired shoulders, 
reaching for things denied them.

 And you were brilliant.
  
 And you were glowing.
  
 And you were smiling.

 And you were fast.
  
 And you were so brave.



For the past four days, cyclists of all types 
have gathered at the tree where Nicole had died.
 
The tree itself is an elm, sort of rare any more, like a bike rider. 
And the tree looked to be about the same age as Nicole. 

It took a special tree to stop you.
 
There were all types of bike riders who 
came to that tree.  Most came back repeatedly, 
as have I.   We cannot stand there for more than five 
minutes before somebody shows up on a bike, most with flowers, 
or cards. Some came with candles and gifts. We've packed some 
of them up for your folks. The piles and piles of flowers, however, 
we left because we kind of need them, still.  
 
A few older men have come by but not many. I think the whole
 thing sort of leaves them frustrated. They can't fix it.  
 
The old ladies know, however, that some things you 
can't fix. They pray. They leave flowers.  And then
they go home, and make sandwiches for children
and send birthday cards to friends and 
check in on others.  
 
And thanks to them the world, 
spins one more time. 
And we go on,
thanks to them.
 
Nicole, you would have made a wonderful old lady.  
 
 -Richard Fries  
The Ride Magazine  
20 September, 2000