Paul Bacho, RUSA# 472, passed away on Christmas Eve. Paul rode brevets with Central Florida Randonneurs for many years as part of the Ohio horde seeking refuge from long, cold, wet, dark winter days.
I first met Paul soon after he completed his Paris-Beijing tour in connection with the 2008 Olympics. What an amazing adventure! What an amazing guy! Sometime around then I found out that he — in a tie with two others — held the American record for participation in Paris-Brest-Paris. I recall riding with him a bit on one PBP (it might have been 2011? 2015? I can’t recall…). And I distinctly recall chatting with him in line (a wet, cold, and muddy line at a foul-smelling sheepfold) to check-in for the 2019 PBP.
Paul was a memorable guy because he was always smiling, happy, excited, interesting…. He was living life to the fullest, all the time, even when things kind of sucked. I remember on one difficult, hilly, and hot 400K (Route 555, for those who know), Paul was pulled off the roadside, having a rest and cooling off, just a mile short of the lunch control. I was really concerned — who stops a mile short of the control? A guy who really knows what he’s doing and knows his limits, that’s who. And a guy who was dedicated not only to getting the job done, but to having fun, too, and keeping things civilized while still having a grand adventure. That was Paul.
Sad news of Paul’s passing brought further revelations about him, about which I had no idea: Wine making? Lived in a log cabin? Carpenter? Trainer for a pro ball team? Marathoner? Diver? What an amazing guy!
Paul, we’ll miss your adventurous spirit, your good nature, your kindness, and your healing presence. Ride on, into the next great adventure!