Color County Cycling Club Clair Jensen Tribute

I remember the first time I met Clair. It was at the Iron County
Fair, the first year they had the bike race thru the Gap. Marty
Sheeran and I had just begun riding rode bikes. We decided to
come up for the event and we didn’t know a soul. I started the
race pretty cocky thinking I was fairly fast and could win. I
got dropped on the turn that headed out the Gap road. I rode
by myself for awhile until a rider caught me. We rode together
for awhile and I thought I was done.
Then up came this old man. He was with three other riders
and we joined them. They chatted away and rode hard. I just
remember the guy had a girl’s name. Near the finish line I was
determined not to let the old guy beat me. I picked up the pace
and the old guy with the girl’s name came around me so hard
that all I could do was hang my head and come in behind him.
I was pretty disappointed and thinking that I would never ride
again.
The old man came over to me, put out his hand and smiled his
big grin, introduced himself and shook my hand. He told me I
rode good and encouraged me to join the club. He introduced
me to other riders who were there. I felt like I was part of
something. I never forgot the name Clair. From then on I felt
like I was Clair’s friend. Clair was the toughest rider I have
ever known. It was a pleasure to ride with him. I will miss him
greatly and will never forget him. I hope to be like him!
John Niedert

I am so shocked and just plain bummed. I rode in St. George
on Sunday with Katie and we had a good ride.
Clair was my mentor and the one that got me into cycling. I
remember doing a spinning class one day and Clair was in the
class. He looked a little under the weather, compared to his
jumpy step, and I asked him if he was sick. He said, "No, I
just did a century on the weekend." I asked, "What's a
century?" He told me that is when you ride your bike for 100
miles.
I went home and told my husband about my conversation and
told him that there's no way in heck, I would ever ride that far.
Well needless to say, the next year I completed my first
century ride, and the rest has been history.
I will miss him so much as he was one guy you could always
count on to help pull you in on a long ride when you were
dragging your butt. I just can't believe he's gone.

Gale Grover

I have so many memories of my dear friend Clair that I am
having trouble knowing where to start. I think I could write a
book, as many of you could, because he blessed my life daily
with his friendship, service, love, and acts of kindness. Clair
was a true friend and never spoke ill of anyone. He never
allowed complaining and always saw the positive in EVERY
situation. I guess I will have to list only a few anecdotes for
this purpose, but I have so many fond memories that
narrowing them down is difficult and doesn’t even come close
to painting the picture of just how much Clair has influenced
and blessed my life.

As an overview, Clair was the reason I felt comfortable
originally joining the club for group rides. He encouraged me
to come out every Saturday until I finally dared join in. I felt
shy and awkward joining in with a bunch of people I didn’t
know, but soon found that it was an enjoyable group and from
those outings I have made many lifelong friends, one of the
dearest being Clair. Clair was also with me on my first road
bike ride—miserable as it was…the wind was howling out of
the south (not unusual I soon found) and Clair patiently tried
to teach me to draft and he stayed with me the whole time
without a complaint. He earned a new respect from me after
that ride. Somehow, a month after my first road ride, he had
me talked into doing the USG road races. I was pathetic, but
Clair made me feel like I’d accomplished much! He pushed
me into my first century, my first double century and even my
first half marathon. A little story about my first half
marathon…the farthest I’d ever run in my life was 6 miles and
Clair told me I was fit enough that running the half marathon
would be no trouble for me. Somehow he got me talked into
running it (13.1 miles). It wasn’t so bad, for the first 6 miles,
but after that I was miserable. I watched as he, and then Quinn
left me in their dust. I dragged myself across the finish line,
nauseous and sore, and swore I’d never do another untrained.
Then I watched in amazement as he mounted his bicycle and
went on a ride, when all I wanted to do was throw up! He was
amazing! And when he did that, he made you feel like you
could do anything no matter what! And guess what, with some
work, you can! Somehow I let Clair talk me into many events
and activities even after that because his positive spin on
everything made it all seem so exciting and attainable.
Now that my life has taken a new road, with motherhood, I
knew I could always count on Clair. He gave me no excuses
not to ride, “Come on, I’ll be over at 5:00, we’ll just tow the
kid.” He loved my daughter like his own grandchildren and so
he is known as “Grandpa Clair” to us. Riley called him
“Gampa” and I admired the way she’d just climb up on his lap
and how he’d push her around the bike shop on one of the kid
bikes, or just play and interact with her. She loved him. I
loved him. We all love him. I was fortunate enough to
celebrate his recent birthday with him and his family. He
looked so cute there trying to eat with Riley and his own
grandson Jacob both on his lap, neither one of them wanting
to give up their spot on his lap. I don’t think he got to eat
much himself, but he sure kept those cute toddlers happy.
Clair was a man of service and an example of seeing the big
picture, loving every moment and seizing the day. He has
served me in more ways than I could ever express as he has so
many others. Brian and I marvel at how he found the time to
do it all, yet be so relaxed about it. I’ll miss lighting up when I
see his smile. I’ll miss him calling me and asking me if I’m up
yet, or if I’m still primping---all the cute and silly things he’d
say to get me wound up, but also how he seriously cared.
One of my favorite memories was the trip to Solvang in 2004.
We had such a great time and when he shared his photos with
me all he could do was comment on the huge smile I wore in
every picture. He was so excited that I got to experience the
fun and excitement and joy that he had on those rides. It
meant a lot to him to see his friends happy. He truly looked
outside himself and that is where his and our joy came.

I cannot comprehend the network of people that knew and
loved Clair, but it feels better to know that I am not mourning
his loss alone. There is a huge network of people who know
just how I feel. Now I’ve tried to keep this short and I’ve still
gone on for over a page. So I will end by saying, “Thank you
Clair, for your friendship, for your love, for your care, for
your service, for your example and for blessing my life. I’m
so grateful that I got to be one of the people who knew you
and loved you and shared many joyous times with you. Brian
and I have always referred to you as the Eternal Optimist.
You are sorely and dearly missed. We will always treasure
you in our hearts and I look forward to the time when we will
meet again.”
Chanda Jeppson

The genuine greatness of some individuals is not adequately
measured by usual world standards. While our acquaintance
and friendship with Clair has been of less intensity than those
who lived close to him — because we only saw him on
infrequent occasions when we visited our son and his family
in Cedar City — we gained a great appreciation for Clair’s
authentic generosity and greatness. When Cedar Cycle
burned, who was there not only to comfort, console, and
provide moral support, but also there with his tool to rebuilt
cabinets, display cases, and clean up the smoke damage on
equipment and inventory? It was Clair. Who always
encourages other bike riders on with uplifting words? Clair!
Who placed the needs and desires of others before his own?
Clair! The true greatness of an individual is embodied in
feeling of empathy for others, and in an unassuming manner
placing their needs and desires before his own. From our
acquaintance with Clair Jensen he exhibited these qualities in
abundance. These qualities help explain our reactions when
we first heard that Clair had collapsed while on a bike ride and
was in intensive care in a hospital. The feeling was: How
could this happen to someone as active, and healthy as Clair,
who completed many bike rides exceeding hundreds of miles
per ride? This explains in part why we ask ourselves if we
should drive to Cedar City from Logan to attend his funeral,
and why our son Theron’s reaction was: Yes! I will drive to
Cedar City to attend the funeral, and Kevin will no doubt also
want to.
Clair’s passing will leave a void in the lives of many, even
ours, though to us he was a remote best friend. Truly, Clair
will be missed by many who loved and appreciated him for
his generosity, kindness, empathy, outgoingness, and
motivating influence to do better and excel. Yes! Clair you
will be missed, and we wish to thank you from our heart for
all you have done for Brian and Chanda!
Roland W. & Mary Anna Jeppson (Brian’s parents)

As I have thought about all the times that I spent riding and
traveling with Clair, it was impossible for me to think of a
time that was my favorite. I started riding with Clair when the
CCC first started. Back then, I only rode mountain bikes and
swore I would never ride a road bike. Little did I know what a
powerful influence Clair would have on me. Before I knew it I
was talked into buying a road bike and Clair was teaching me
how to draft and ride in a group. The next thing I knew he
talked me into doing my first century (The Tour de Tucson). I
never thought I would be able to do a century, but Clair
assured me that it was possible. That was the first of many
rides that Clair talked me into; rides that I never thought I
could do or finish. He was always by my side helping me
when I got in trouble and making sure that I finished and was
OK.
We traveled thousands of miles together, we ate at the best
restaurants and rode some incredible rides together. He was
my personal tour guide and always made every ride fun.
When I tried to decide which ride with Clair was my favorite,
I came to the conclusion that every ride that I rode with him
was my favorite. He made sure we had fun and always made
everyone in the group feel special. I for one will miss his
warm smile and encouragement and his never-quit attitude.
Sue and I rode with him on the Saturday after Christmas; our
last ride together. It was just the three of us and we "laughed
and giggled" as Clair would say, and had a great time talking
and riding. It was a great day just like all the others when
you’re with Clair.
Joe Schoney

When it came to getting a person to do something he wanted, I
think Clair had the inside track. He presented his idea in such
a way that even if you didn't want to do it, all of the cosmic
Color Country Cycling Club 11 February 2008
forces would combine against you and you felt compelled to
say yes. I think anyone who has biked with Clair would agree.
Such was the case when it came to my first double century.
Joe had ridden the Solvang DC ride many times in the past but
had missed it in March 2006 so he was anxious to do it again
in 2007. We had recently started riding the tandem and Joe
needed my assurance that I would also ride Solvang (it's
tough to ride a tandem by yourself). After promising that I
would, Clair got wind of my promise and that was all it took.
He started his campaign for us to ride the Eastern Sierra
Double Century with him, Lonnie and anyone else that he
could work his magic on. Joe didn't even pretend to resist or
hesitate; he immediately said he would do it. If there was a
chance to ride with Clair, he was there. I wasn't so sure. I had
never ridden 200 miles before and riding Eastern Sierra
sounded like it wasn't the best choice for a first double
century.
"It was important," Clair said, "to start preparing for
Solvang now and Eastern Sierra would be the perfect
training ground."
"You can never start preparing too soon."
"13,000 feet of climbing would be a lot for a century
but was not really all that much when it is spread over
200 miles."
"The beauty is breathtaking and in fact you will be so
distracted by the beauty that you won't even notice the
climbing."
"I have done this ride before and it's an easy ride."
I could go on and on but you get the idea. I'm sure any of you
who have ridden with Clair know exactly what I am talking
about. I attempted to refute all of his arguments but it was just
no use, my fate was in the stars. Although my head was
shaking no I found myself saying "Yes."
The night before the ride we enjoyed dinner with Clair, the
rest of the CCCC who were there and many of his brevet
friends. We rode together on and off during the ride and each
time we would meet up again, Clair would act as tour guide
educating us about the area and pointing out interesting
natural features, waterfalls, wildlife etc. He would talk about
the next part of the ride coming up; always letting me know
what it was like and giving me a pep talk and assuring me that
I could get there without a problem. We met up at the last
food stop and rode the last 30 miles home together with him
and Lonnie. Typically there is a headwind home but that year
there was a tailwind which helped to get us back in record time.
As we got off our bikes at the finish, Clair was right there
congratulating me on finishing my first double century. That was just
the kind of person that Clair was; always motivating and
encouraging. It was one of the most beautiful rides I have ever
been on, however I did tell Clair afterward that although it was
really beautiful, it was hard not to notice all the climbing.
I don't know if this was my favorite ride with Clair, but it
certainly was the most memorable and I appreciate the fact that he
took the time to talk me into going. Another memorable ride
with Clair was the first brevet that he and Lonnie sponsored last fall
which started in Panguitch. Joe and I got our first introduction to
real brevet riding which included a sit down meal in Antimony
(halfway through the ride) complete with hamburger and
fries. I remember other rides on a single bike when Clair would hang
back and ride with me to make sure I didn't fall behind. Although
I have not ridden nearly as many rides with Clair as other members
of the CCCC, riding with Clair was always a great experience. I
will treasure the times we had together in the past and I will miss
him in the future.
Sue Schoney

Clair is one of a kind. As I look back on my memories of him
I can’t remember a negative one. I always called him the
Eternal Optimist. My first experience with him was in my
shop when he brought his ProFlex in to get tuned up. I just did
a regular tune-up with nothing special, but to my surprise over
the next few weeks I had many people come in with their
bikes telling me the Clair had told them that it was cheap and
that his bike had never worked so well. One of those guys was
Ralph Rawlinson. As I got to know him better I found out he
In His Own Words
• “I’m just happy to be here.”
• “I’m like an old coyote. I can make a living
anywhere.”
• “I’m like a lizard, the hotter it gets the better I like
it. I just lie out and soak up the sun.
• “If I die, just poke holes in me so I don’t bloat and
leave me for the coyotes.”
• "I'm gonna start slow and taper."
• “Just follow the fat guy.”
• When asked how he does it all or how he could
ride that far he'd always reply, "You just get up
and go!"
• "I set a new PR today. Slowest time ever."
• “Never pass up a chance to pee.”
• “If you’re always early, you’re never late.”
• “Life is good.”
Color Country Cycling Club 12 February 2008
was always positive. Anytime I saw his smile I could feel his
optimism.
Clair loved serving others. He left many of his own projects at
home undone because he was too busy helping others. He
helped me many times in my shop and at home. Less than a
week before he passed away, he went out to Lonnie’s to cut
up a tree that Lonnie had cut down. He figured there would be
about 2 truck loads of wood, so he had Chanda drive our truck
out and loaded it up then stayed and loaded his own up. When
I got home and saw how much wood was there, I was blown
away by his hard work. Clair loved physical labor. The next
day he called me at the shop and asked me where I wanted
him to put his truck load of wood. I told him that I would
come over after work and help him stack it in his back yard.
He said he had enough and wanted to give it to us and that he
was on his way to our house to unload it. I told him to stop by
the shop and pick me up and I would help. That day I realized
that when Clair was with you, you were the most important
person to him. He was never in a hurry to just do the job and
move on. He has the ability to make whoever he is with to feel
important. Everybody was Clair’s best friend.
I feel way blessed to know Clair. The time I was able to spend
with him and get to know him has made me a better person.
Hopefully I can honor him and do the same for others.
Brian Jeppson