The Bicycle Flowers

A close friend of Christina Deshaies and the Thyme and Again crew, Kaleb McCutcheon, died Monday, July 3, 2006. Only 27, he had a wonderful, wide circle of friends in what his obituary described as "the huge family of Athens bicycle riders, racers and trail builders."

Some of you may know of him as the son of Harry and Rebecca McCutcheon -- the Mac and Beth of the great local hardware store. And some may have read that the delightful Bicycle Flowers sculptures on the East State Street traffic island were designed with him in mind. Christina sketched the idea. Joey Boyle, of the Thyme and Again crew, used his welding skills and bicycle mechanic materials to create the sculpture. Kaleb was a member of the Athens Bicycle Club, as are Christina, Joey, and much of the Thyme and Again staff.

This remarkable young man asked his family and friends to celebrate his life when it can be done without tears. "If you must buy flowers, plant them where walkers and bike riders will enjoy them," read the closing lines of his obituary.

You can see how he inspired the Bicycle Flowers.

Shown in photo at the right artist and bicyclist Joe Boyle installs his bicycle-themed sculpture in the highway median on East State Street.