Cyclist dies in race in Portland, OR

[latelatebloomer]

[QUOTE
He is always hit really hard by these tragedies; yesterday when I told him I'd been freaked out because of the similarity to his own accident he asked, "Do you want me to quit racing?" I assured him I would make no such demand on him, even though I was really grateful to have him still with me. Later I heard him mutter to himself, "Maybe I *should* quit racing." [/QUOTE]

He sounds like such a sweetheart...good thing for me my hub didn't hear about this accident - he'd NOT ask me to stop riding, but he WOULD want to drive beside me dragging a mattress.* Meanwhile, he's in NYC today riding the subway, which these days seems a helluva lot more dangerous. To tell the truth, I'm eyeing my helmet, too....

*when I start to ride clipless, this might be a good idea.

[Susan Otcenas]

Lynne,

I've raced at PIR both this year and last. I'm sure it will be very difficult for me to go past that spot for quite some time. It will be hard not to have it somewhere in the back of our minds, especially during the finishing sprints.

I witnessed a spectacular pile-up last year out at Hagg Lake. The men's cat 3s crashed immediately in front of the finish line, right where I was standing. The most seriously injured cyclist, who was unconscious, was taken out on a helicopter. I still replay it in my mind from time to time. The remembered sound of bodies and bikes hitting the pavement stills gives me shivers

I've been trying to persuade more of my female friends to come out to race at PIR. Just after this, a friend of mine sent me an email, saying that she wasn't so sure she was willing to give it a try, given what happened there on Tuesday nite.

As awful as Tuesday was, I reminded her that life is full of risks. Riding our bikes out at PIR is actually one of the safest places we could be riding, especially as compared to riding out in traffic. And, riding in a group at faster speeds will teach you great bike handling skills and help develop faster reaction times. Skills you can put to use on the streets.

I hope to see you at PIR *next* Monday. (I did the short track MTB race there this past monday - what a hoot!) Don't let this keep you away - instead let it remind you how fortunate we are to be able to do what we love. I'll be there on a charcoal grey Felt. Say hi.

Stay safe everyone.

Susan

[smurfalicious]

Susan! I'm trying to go to the short track race next week. I saw your results on the website for last week, nice work! I'm not sure how I'll do, but I think going all out for 20 minutes is soooo my style. I'll be there hopefully the 18th, but definately the 25th. I'll be the girl on the blue GF, with streamers, lookin' hella fine in my new TE approved outfit. Meow!

[Lynne]

Lynne,

I've raced at PIR both this year and last. I'm sure it will be very difficult for me to go past that spot for quite some time. It will be hard not to have it somewhere in the back of our minds, especially during the finishing sprints.

I witnessed a spectacular pile-up last year out at Hagg Lake. The men's cat 3s crashed immediately in front of the finish line, right where I was standing. The most seriously injured cyclist, who was unconscious, was taken out on a helicopter. I still replay it in my mind from time to time. The remembered sound of bodies and bikes hitting the pavement stills gives me shivers

I've been trying to persuade more of my female friends to come out to race at PIR. Just after this, a friend of mine sent me an email, saying that she wasn't so sure she was willing to give it a try, given what happened there on Tuesday nite.

As awful as Tuesday was, I reminded her that life is full of risks. Riding our bikes out at PIR is actually one of the safest places we could be riding, especially as compared to riding out in traffic. And, riding in a group at faster speeds will teach you great bike handling skills and help develop faster reaction times. Skills you can put to use on the streets.

I hope to see you at PIR *next* Monday. (I did the short track MTB race there this past monday - what a hoot!) Don't let this keep you away - instead let it remind you how fortunate we are to be able to do what we love. I'll be there on a charcoal grey Felt. Say hi.

Stay safe everyone.

Susan

Hi Susan. I agree with you completely. In fact, it's the ONLY place I'm willing to try racing because I have soooo little experience in the saddle. I went out having only tried drafting a few times and never having done a pace line. But, in watching my BF, I knew they usually have "mentors" and I wanted to be able ask questions and learn as I rode it (ironically, there were no mentors on Monday, so the ladies I was racing against actually helped me, if you can believe that!!!). I will be there Monday, but may not race ONLY because it's supposed to be close to 90 degrees and I have serious problems with heat. That's not to say I won't be there the next Monday (7/25 is dark, from what I hear). Thanks for the encouragement I have a little red white and blue Fuji pro and usually wear a Descente top and black shorts. Even if it's too hot to race, I'll still ride around the track for fun before the race.

[betagirl]

Wow, I feel so bad for his family. This and the guy who died on RAIN. It's always a shame when stuff like this happens.

As for the helmet discussion, cycling is a dangerous sport. Period. It has a disproportionate death rate compared to the number of people who actually ride (I forget the percentage). My friend has had 2 crashes with me, and her helmet saved her bean from serious damage both times. First crash she went down on her left side and I was sure she did a face plant on the pavement. For whatever reason, her face was unaffected but her helmet was cracked and she had a nice bump on her forehead. Other minor scrapes and a concussion, she went to the ER just to be safe. She was back on her bike in a week. Second crash was at a lower speed and I didn't see her go down, but I heard it. Again, helmet cracked - head ok. She only had a cut on her elbow that time. Another guy I know got clotheslined by a fallen tree on a bike path from a storm the night before. He was looking down, wasn't expecting it, and wham. He was on the pavement before he knew it and was missing a tooth. In that instance, his helmet did nothing for him. Not that helmets saving your noodle is any sort of news flash to you guys, but I guess my point is that this just comes with the territory of this sport. I do think learning how to fall is imperative if you're going to bike. There are certain things you're supposed to do if you start to go down, and unless you practice a little in a field or somewhere "soft" they won't be ingrained reflexes. #1 rule is not to stretch out your arms to try to brace yourself. Instead try to clip out and tuck. Sounds easier said than done to me I read 1 article about how you're supposed to try to launch yourself over your handlebars and run. I was like sure, ok. But you get the idea.

Alison, glad your hubby is ok!

[RoadRaven]

. I do think learning how to fall is imperative if you're going to bike. There are certain things you're supposed to do if you start to go down, and unless you practice a little in a field or somewhere "soft" they won't be ingrained reflexes. #1 rule is not to stretch out your arms to try to brace yourself. Instead try to clip out and tuck. Sounds easier said than done to me .

When I crashed badly earlier this year in a corparate triathalon (hit the tarseal at approx 30km/hour -nearly 19 mph) I rolled... didn't conciously think to roll, but I did and I think thats why I could get back on the bike and finish - bleeding and bruised, but I finished.
When I got back and took my helmet off, one of the folks at our tent noticed I had a fist sized piece of my helmet outta the back... I had memory probs for a week.

So yeah, def wear a helmet and let your self roll - don't brace yourself into the crash...

Still feeling awful for the families and friends... such an awful freak accident