Still in shock

[maillotpois]

Yesterday a local young rider, and friend, dropped dead on a ride. It was his 23rd birthday. He was just a great kid - exuberant, a crazy strong cyclist (finished the Terrible Two five times, always placing high), and one who was always encouraging to others and with a positive word to say to everyone.

www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111015/ARTICLES/111019667/1350?Title=Sonoma-County-cyclist-23-collapses-and-dies-on-steep-ride

I last saw him at the Granfondo. He was bike marshalling and we chatted as we climbed Kings ridge. He was the kind of rider who'd always take the time to slow down and chat with you, even though he was faster. I remember him really trying to help me hang with him and his race-y buddy on the flat windy part of Devil Mtn Double in April. I am going to be training for the Terrible Two with a mutual friend this year and next, and was actually really looking forward to having an opportunity to ride more with Matt on some of our training rides. :(

[redrhodie]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. That's so sad. Do they know why? I wonder if he had a heart problem?

[maillotpois]

They believe it was a heart attack. I don't know for sure. This morning there was a memorial ride up to the place where he passed out. I wasn't able to go, but it looked like a lot of folks did from the pictures I have seen.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow. So sad and tragic - he was SO young! Things like this really make me appreciate each day I have good health and wake up still breathing in the morning.

[OakLeaf]

Oh man. I'm so sorry. But I hope when it's my turn, that I'm so lucky.

[Veronica]

Wow - that is so sad... so young.


Veronica

[pll]

So young, it is truly shocking. Last June, one of my students died while working out, due to an arrhythmia. Thinking about it still leaves me a bit melancholic.

[Tri Girl]

Oh Sarah, I'm so very sorry. :(
What a tragic loss- so very young with so much more life to live.

[Dog]

I'm sorry to hear that. He probably had some type of underlying heart condition. Still hurts though....
It does remind us that we should not take our health for granted!

[roguedog]

Hey Sarah..know it doesn't help but at least it was a gorgeous day, doing what he loved best with friends. Peace, bro.

[indysteel]

I'm so sorry, Sarah. That's just a tragedy. It's hard to comprehend how someone so young and active could die like that.

[snapdragen]

I'm so sorry MP, he's much too young.

[maillotpois]

Thanks guys. Yes it probably was some sort of undisclosed heart defect. They are doing an autopsy tomorrow.

The sad thing was he had just gone back to college to get his degree. He had also just gotten his drivers license. As some of you noted, though, he was doing what he loved - and it is somehow a lot better than if he had been hit by a car or something like that.

[SadieKate]

F@#$, read your email about the Foxy.

[MojoGrrl]

That's very sad. Wow. So young.

[salsabike]

Sarah, I am so sorry.

[jobob]

very sorry sarah

[Tokie]

Thank you for telling us about such a special young man. Some things will never make sense. I am sorry too. tokie

[Owlie]

MP, I'm so sorry. If there's a good way to go, quickly on a nice day doing what you love is probably it.

[azfiddle]

So sorry .... cherish your memories of your friend. Sudden losses are so hard.