how to deal with the death of a fellow cyclist

[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

[velocilex]

Silver,
How awful for you to experience this. I don't know what to say except that you are in my thoughts, as are the others who had to witness this tragedy and the poor man's family. (((hugs)))

[silver]

Thanks to everyone for "listening" and for your support. I've had several hours now to process this. I know I will ride again. It will be scary. Yes, I think that the biggest lesson that I can take to my riding is to always assume that the driver does not see me.

One of the things that I'm having the most trouble processing is that it didn't seem like to me that his injuries were going to be life threatening. He didn't seem to have a head wound. It seems that the major problem was blunt trauma to the chest.

Velocilex: I was riding this ride as a tune up for the Hilly. I will be inquiring as to whether the family would feel it appropriate for me to ride in his memory. let's do a rool call later in the week for TE folks who are riding.

[annie]

This is so awful! I couldn't even respond on my first read-through.

You seem to be handling it ok for now, Silver. I hope you continue to do so! My thoughts are with you and all else involved. So scary!!!!

annie

[DDH]

I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this. I don't have any words of wisdom, and can't even imagine what I would do in the same situation.
I am sure this gentlemen who enjoyed and loved riding would not want anyone to stop because of this tragedy. The only thing I can say about drivers is that I think a lot of the time they are looking for other cars and nothing else when they go to execute their turns or what not.
I cannot imagine not seeing a bright yellow jersey coming down the road at me. I try to always be aware of everything that is going on around me when I drive, not just the other vehicles.
I hope that comfort and peace are with you during this hard time and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and other bicyclist as well as you.