how to deal with the death of a fellow cyclist

[Triskeliongirl]

Hi Silver, maybe if you tell us more about what actually happened, that will help. Then we can all learn something from this unfortunate incident. Was this a club ride or event? What was the name of the group? How exactly did the accident happen? Even when out riding alone, its always good to leave a map of your planned route with someone, and of course one should always carry emergency contact info., insurance card, etc., although in a real emergency you are ideally brought to the best facility, trauma center, etc. to deal with your injuries. -e

[silver]

It was an event put on by the local bicycling group. It's a big annual event here. We were riding the 100k. It was a beautiful day, bright and sunny, (I guess it still is just a sad one now) We were about 40 miles into the ride. He had gone down a nice hill was probably going about 25 to 30. The car was travling in the opposite direction also down a hill. The accident happened in the valley. The car turned left into the rider. It appeared that he had his turn signal on. He said that he never saw the cyclist. It's possible that the sun was in his eyes. It appeared that this was close to the driver's home. His family was there pretty quick. He probably turns left onto this road all the time and maybe turned in pretty fast without carefully looking, but I'm just guessing, I didn't see it happen.

The car was a yellow jeep wrangler. There was no damage to the jeep except the windshield was smashed. It appears that he slid up the hood into the windshield and then was thrown to the ground. It did not appear that his injuries were going to be life threatening to me, but maybe your mind just doesn't want to believe. He was responsive at one point and said his chest hurt and his breathing was labored. I would guess that maybe his ribs were fractured and that maybe they punctured his heart and certainly his lungs.

He was wearing a helmet and a bright yellow jersey there should have been plenty of visibility.

[jobob]

I'm really sorry this happened to you, silver, and I hope you can get back on the bike and enjoy cycling again soon.

And thanks for the reminder to carry emergency contact information.

Your experience really brings home the fact that we should never assume that drivers can see us.

That's why I always wave at drivers at intersections to try to get some sort of acknowledgement that they see me, although granted that's really difficult to do going downhill at a high rate of speed.

[Bad JuJu]

Oh, I'm so sorry, for you, the rider, his family, your family, the whole group. It does sound like one of those things that happens when a motorist is too familiar with the route and just does things reflexively, but who really knows other than the driver himself. Makes me think about a fast descent I was doing yesterday and thinking about how I might be in trouble if I had to take evasive action at that speed. Cyclist or motorist--none of us can afford to get too complacent.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

How truly awful.

Perhaps one way you and his cycling friends could do something positive from this terrible experience- you could perhaps present an essay or article to the local papers about motorist/bicycle safety and awareness? Perhaps combine it with a short biography of the cyclist with his photo. YOu could run this idea by his family and see if they agree. It might even save a life somehow one day, if lots of people read it.

[Python]

I'm so sorry. What a terrible thing to happen

We are here for you. There are so many different emotions you and the other riders will go through once the initial shock starts to wear off.

Emotions like deep sorrow. Anger. Frustration at the unfairness of it all. The feeling of relief i.e. "it could have been me", then guilt that you are alive and the man you were out riding with is dead. So many different, and difficult, emotions to deal with.

It is all part of the healing process. I know. I've been there (different circumstances).

You are in my thoughts.

[Bikingmomof3]

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry. I do not have any words of wisdom here. (((((((Silver))))))))