how to deal with the death of a fellow cyclist

[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))))))))

[DarcyInOregon]

What a terrible tragedy. It is what we all fear when we get on the bike.

In Oregon, there have been bicyclists killed this year, just like you described. The biker is doing everything right, and a car will make a turn into a drive or side street without looking and run over the cyclist. The motorist always claims the sun was in their eyes. I don't get it. I really don't. When I am driving, if the sun blinds me, I certainly don't make any turns until I can see what I am doing and where I am going. So I don't understand this explanation as to why a driver kills a biker.

And I don't understand how we can protect ourselves against people who drive while being blinded by the sun. Are there any solutions?

Anyway, lots of hugs for you.

Darcy

[Thistle]

Silver, i am so sorry. I cant even imagine how awful and traumatic it was.

I think you need to know that whatever you do, however you deal with it is the right way, cos there is no "right" or "best" way.

Keep posting, keep talking, keep grieving. Keep knowing how much we are holding you in our hearts.



Hugs and sympathy
Thea