Memorial to Local Female Cyclist

[three]

The local cycling community has lost a young and vibrant member. **Edit: The medical examiner has announced a cause of death as hypothermia. To all who ride in cold weather states/countries, let this be a reminder of the risks involved and the preparation/caution that goes with riding year round.

The cycling community here is an undeniably strong and supportive community. Everyone, regardless of whether they knew Rachel or not, is crushed at this loss.

The following links give more information:

http://www.mplsbikelove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5730&start=0&sid=3b7ad258c039bfa313d7c034c7a42075

http://www.startribune.com/13753181.html


**Word has it that a charity befitting of Rachel's interests is being chosen so the public can offer donations in her memorial. I will update this thread when that charity is announced in case anyone here is willing to honor her memory with a contribution.**

[Bad JuJu]

Oh, that sucks! It makes me both sad and angry. So sorry for her friends and family; angry that a female cyclist can't go out alone in the evening and expect to be safe (though of course the cause of death hasn't been determined yet, but you KWIM.)

[sundial]

How very sad for her family and friends to lose one so young. She had her whole future ahead of her. :(

[RoadRaven]

Ah, how tragic. The whole thing is just so sad

I can't get the links to open, Three (that will be my lousy connection speed). I assume she was riding when she developed hypothermia?

[Geonz]

Welp, her body was in the river, so that's probably what caused the hypothermia. Sadness.

[three]

There are bike trails everywhere here, all throughout the city - and some are along the Mississippi River. I don't know if she got off her bike and went to stand by the river, or if her bike slipped on any icy section of the trail and she fell down into the river. Either is possible. There are a lot of spots along various lakes and the river where it wouldn't take too much of an accident to land you on thin ice and thereby put you at risk of hypothermia. Regardless, I think it's still a good reminder that winter riding has other risks that go beyond the simple task of making sure you're bundled up. Black ice on trails/streets, nearby bodies of water, less people/traffic in the winter and therefore less chance of help should there be an accident, etc.

It has been a reminder of all those things for me, at least. So much time and effort goes into attire and dressing for the cold, that it's been easy to forget about everything else that comes with the change in weather.