In September at the Six Gaps ride, I stood on the Dahlonega Square as the teenage Cad cyclists whirled around the course like boomerangs. It was a spectacular site. Vendors, speakers, music, competition, camaraderie, spectators and cyclists of all ages.
As stood on The Square with my toy poodle taking in the buzz of thousands of people, a woman with a heavy Celtic brogue leaned over my shoulder and asked,
“What's your poodle's name? She looks just like mine.”
“Coco”. I turned to let her pet the poodle. “Where are you from?” I inquired.
“Scotland.”
“What a coincidence.”, I replied. “My last name is Scottish. It's Cadenhead – Head of the Caden River.”
“Cadenhead”?, she gasped “That's my last name!”
As you might guess, Cadenhead is an unusual name. I've taken to spelling it every time I say it because very few people know to pronounce the “C” as a “K” and the “a” as a long vowel rather than a short vowel as is phonetically correct.
You may also imagine my astonishment and disbelief when the Scottish poodle lover stared me in the eye and said,
“That's my last name.”
“What?” I stammered.
“Yes”, she continued. “That's my last name. Cadenhead spelled C A D E N H E A D”.
I searched her eyes for truth.
“I'm here from Scotland with other Cadenheads.”
Well, to make a strange and coincidental story short, we traded numbers and planned a North American and European Cadenhead dinner before they left the country, but here's the best part. Her niece's son was competing in the Junior Cad races at the 6 Gap ride. The two families shared a last name and a cross oceanic love of cycling.
The state championship cyclo-cross race was the next Cadenhead meeting. Truthfully, I wouldn't have attended this race had it not been for the Cadenhead connection. As soon as I got to the event, I ran into Miriam Voss who had traveled from Georgia to Vermont with me, the poodle, and a large group of cycling friends. She was racing at the state championship, and I was toting the poodle once again.
The cyclo cross wound through pine trees, up and down hills and mounds, through a sandy beach, and over short walls . “Cycling dressage” is what I called it. The air was filled with anticipation and friendly competition. Babies pedaled around on tricycles while competitors hummed along on their trainers. Dogs lapped up attention while riders spanned the Yargo State Park property.
Is this a great sport or what? Bicycles can go most any where. They can bring together the thirsty athlete and the poodle-loving Sunday-cyclist. Kids can be integrated into the sport, competitors can hammer it out while seniors stay active and healthy. Cycling combats depression, weight gain, and illness. Better yet, it offers a community of active outdoor-loving people.
My Scottish Cadenhead connection, Alexander Dijkema, rode like a champ at the Cyclo Cross State Championship. I'm not sure how well he did, and he didn't seem to care. He was much more concerned with his cycling friends. Miriam Voss placed 6th in the women's race “B” race. Not bad for her first year of Cyclo Cross racing.
You might ask me, “Why don't you leash up the poodle and start riding?” I ride but I also enjoy the sport as a spectator. I know I'll last longer that way. Plus, I might meet some more Cadenheads. I”m not sure the world needs more of us, but it's nice to know we're not alone and we're sharing the sport.
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