"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Rider killed during RAAM

Sad news from the RAAM website http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/
:(

With profound regret, Race Across America announces that Bob Breedlove, competitor #188, collided head-on with a pickup truck at approximately 12.15 p.m. EDT, on June 23, 28 miles west of Trinidad, Colorado. When paramedics arrived on the scene they pronounced him dead. The accident took place on a section of road that sloped very gently downhill for cyclists in the race. According to the driver of the pickup truck, Bob Breedlove appeared to collapse on his bicycle and swerved into the path of the oncoming vehicle.

Cyclists competing in the Race Across America are offered the option of completing the race, should they so desire.

Race Director Jim Pitre said: "Speaking both personally, and on behalf of the entire management and all those associated with the race, I extend my most sincere sympathy to the family of Bob Breedlove."

At the time of the accident, Bob Breedlove was leading the 50+
category, and was 12th overall in the race.

That sucks big time, I know this does it make it any better but at least he died doing something he probably loved.

Crap. Any reason stated why he collapsed?

Like driving and falling asleep behind the wheel... I wonder is he had a medical issue or was it fatigue?

Condolences to the family.

[EDITED]

These guys sleep like 2 hours or less a night.

Crap. Any reason stated why he collapsed?

When I watched the 2hr documentary on tv, there were guys falling asleep on the bike, there were guys who went so hard their kidneys failed, someone needed this brace installed to keep his head up cause his neck muscles were failing, someone else had their helmet pulled back with bungee cord tied to their saddles, one of the guys just collapsed as he got back on his bike after a short rest stop, people were seeing things and following invisible gnomes...
These guys seem to push themselves to failure way beyond what the people seem to do in the TDF and it's tragic sometimes...

That's what happens when you're over 50 years of age, you've barely slept in four days, and you're physically exhausted.

What a waste, I hope his family believes it was worth it.

When I watched the 2hr documentary on tv, there were guys falling asleep on the bike, there were guys who went so hard their kidneys failed, someone needed this brace installed to keep his head up cause his neck muscles were failing, someone else had their helmet pulled back with bungee cord tied to their saddles, one of the guys just collapsed as he got back on his bike after a short rest stop, people were seeing things and following invisible gnomes...
These guys seem to push themselves to failure way beyond what the people seem to do in the TDF and it's tragic sometimes...


call me soft, but its just not worth putting your self in that kind of danger. if you are too tired to ride safely, get off the dang bike already.

its sad that someone had to die for this.

my sympathies.
I've been following the race, it's end is on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, my neighborhood.
I just up there yesterday where the have the giant welcome banner.
how sad....peace Bob.

Crap. Any reason stated why he collapsed?

Sorry if this is a lengthy post, but it is a copy of the letter that RAAM sent out to thier mailing list members at about 6:30 pm eastern today.


With profound regret, Race Across America announces:


RAAM Suffers The Tragic Loss of One of its Greats

Trinidad, Colorado - Tragedy hit the Race Across America today
around 12.15 - 12.30 p.m. EDT, when Bob Breedlove, competitor
#188, collided with a westbound pickup truck 28 miles west of
Trinidad, Colorado. When paramedics arrived on the scene they
pronounced him dead.

The accident took place on a section of road that sloped very
gently downhill for cyclists in the race. According to the driver
of the pickup truck, Bob Breedlove appeared to slump on his
bicycle and swerved into the path of the oncoming vehicle.

The driver attempted to avoid Bob Breedlove, but the significant
impact was made at the lower left part of the windshield.

At the time of the accident, Bob Breedlove was leading the 50+
category, and was 12th overall in the race.

Jim Pitre, the race director, decided after consultation with Bob
Breedlove's brother, Bill, to continue the race. Bill Breedlove
considered that his brother would have wished this.
If a rider or team decides to pull out of the race, the management
and officials will provide assistance wherever practicable.

Talking about Bob Breedlove, Jim Pitre said: "This is a terrible
tragedy, just terrible. We all stand in awe of the memory of Bob
Breedlove, who was a supreme cycle racer, an outstanding surgeon,
and just a great human being. Speaking both personally, and on
behalf of the entire management and all those associated with the
race, I extend my most sincere sympathy to the family of Bob
Breedlove."

The support vehicle was providing leapfrog support to Bob
Breedlove at the time of the accident. Bob Breedlove was last seen
by his crew members about a mile before the accident took place.
They reported that he seemed fit to continue the race. "He seemed
fine, we passed him a PowerBar and a Spizz (energy drink), and he
went on his way," said one of the crew members.

Skidmarks leading off the road to the right suggest that the
driver of the vehicle did what he could to avoid a collision. "It
seemed like he must have passed out, he slumped on his bars. He
just swerved right into our lane." Said the distraught driver of
the vehicle, who hurried to the next town immediately after the
accident and made the 911 call himself.

From the evidence and accounts, the accident is thought to have
happened very quickly. While it is unknown whether or not it would
have made a difference if a support vehicle had been present for
Bob Breedlove, as an additional precautionary measure, a directive
was issued from race headquarters that safety continues to be a
primary concern and that all crew members are required to pay
special attention, and to continue to conduct the race in a safe
manner.

Crew members and riders have been instructed that if they feel the
need to do so, to pull off the course to process their thoughts
and gather themselves to continue. A 15-minute time allowance is
provided for this. Riders and crew members who require more time
will be granted this on request.

What a waste, I hope his family believes it was worth it.I hope his family believes it wasn't worth it. It's only a friggin bike race!

This marks the second rider in recent years who has died during the RAAM. A couple of years ago, a RAAM rider was hit by a semi tractor-trailer in New Mexico.

The fact that he died doing what he loved is relevant and should stay in the family's thoughts, though it will be of little consolation I'm sure. He was a great mega-endurance racer for many years. RAAM racers are incredible in what they do, though I'd never have the slightest desire to even attempt to ride for 20 of 24 hours in a day.

Condolences to his family and friends.

I was about 2 time stations east of where this happened. This is indeed a tragedy, my condolences to Dr. Breedlove's family & friends. It had a profound effect on riders that passed through our station.

Very sorry to hear about this. Myself, I question the sort of race that is so long yet requires you to finish in a (my opinion here) very short amount of time. For that same reason, I believe each of the riders understands what he or she is getting into. And apparently Bob had done this before, no?

I feel a lot of different things about this: sadness, awe, and disbelief.

What stinks about the race overall is that there doesn't seem to be any downtime for cyclists who are doing solo efforts cross country. Perhaps if they just said you have 15 days to get there, and total time in the saddle was used to determine who wins instead of the first person to cross the finish line, there wouldn't be so much pressure to ride yourself to death.

Koffee

P.S. Not to say that it isn't a legit race, though... there just should be some guidelines so that riders don't harm themselves just to hit a finish line.

Koffee

Very sorry to hear about this. Myself, I question the sort of race that is so long yet requires you to finish in a (my opinion here) very short amount of time. For that same reason, I believe each of the riders understands what he or she is getting into. And apparently Bob had done this before, no?

I feel a lot of different things about this: sadness, awe, and disbelief.
I believe this was Dr. Bob's 5th Raam, he's no stranger to mega ultra-endurance races and the risks they present. It's tragic what happened, but to the above posters calling it a waste and not worth it, this is what this guy lived for. He was over 50 years old and his kids are grown-up, although his family will miss him terribly, he raised his kids and now was doing his thing, I might feel much differently about a parent of young children (like myself) going out and taking these risks to fulfill selfish goals. I too have mixed feelings about this, as I've been excited over the last weeks waiting for this race and then to see this happen. I do believe that the race should go on and that these atheletes are aware of the risks they're taking. Hopefully this incident will step up everyone's awareness (especially the crews) so that rest is taken when it's needed. Saying that I'm assuming that Bob fell asleep on the bike and swerved into the truck, it's also possible that he collasped from reasons unrelated to fatigue (although highly unlikely). My thoughts go out to his family and friends, and to a safe trip for the remaining racers.

...I do believe that the race should go on and that these atheletes are aware of the risks they're taking. Hopefully this incident will step up everyone's awareness (especially the crews) so that rest is taken when it's needed. Saying that I'm assuming that Bob fell asleep on the bike and swerved into the truck, it's also possible that he collasped from reasons unrelated to fatigue (although highly unlikely). My thoughts go out to his family and friends, and to a safe trip for the remaining racers.

Extremely tragic. My heart goes out to all that new and loved him.

In his rider profile he notes concern over illness, injury or death as intimidating about RAAM. He also notes his time away from family as a sacrifice to compete (and I'd assume train for) RAAM.

HIs profile may be found here (http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/files/raam2005/riders/breedlove_bob_2005.htm).

It may very well be too soon to make judgements regarding what actually happened. From the information presented it does in fact appear that Bob swerved into oncoming traffic. However, other scenarios may be possible, a driver overtaking another vehicle for example, or a driver swerving, causing Bob to swerve. Mechanical failure (blowout, brake block lock, hub seizure) may be equally responsible as well as rider fatigue.

There are risks in everything we do, unless we do nothing. This is a sobering reminder for our loved ones, to accept-or at least understand the perhaps extra risks associated with ANY recreational sport, particularly at the proffesional/elite level Bob was.

If my memory serves, RAAM instituted more stringent safety controls following the previous riders fatal crash.

When my friends/family express concern regarding my cycling (and hiking) being too dangerous, I gently remind them of my feelings regarding the more extreme risk (in my opinion) associated with simply driving on a daily basis, as well as a reminder of my skills. Working at a trauma center I see first hand the results of this barely percieved risk on a near daily basis-sadly, repeatedley throughout my shift on occasion.

Camel

Just found this tribute video to Dr. Breedlove.

www.teamvirtual.us/lod/lod.wmv

Really awful... maybe he had a heart attack or collapsed from heat.

I hope his family believes it wasn't worth it. It's only a friggin bike race!That was my point, you are quick to pick up on the irony.

That was my point, you are quick to pick up on the irony.404 - Irony Not Found

John Howard was America's leading road bike racer in the 1970's and a pioneer in the "Ironman" races of the 1980's. He still has the record for most miles in a 24 hour race and the highest speed ever attained on an "upright" bicycle. He competed in the early RAAM period but decided: it was too dangerous.

Howard said that a "fit" cyclist can stay alert and ride safely in a 12 hour race, or even a 24 hour race. But, while racing for several days, especially on roads open to motorists, cyclists were going to get killed.

RAAM, if it wanted to, COULD require each rider to rest or sleep for eight hours out of each twenty-four hours. Instead, RAAM organizers have turned RAAM into a contest about who can sleep the least. The rider who sleeps the least can win the race, if he does not die.

I hope that every corporation that has sponsored or supported RAAM in anyway will send a message to the organizers: "Our support is terminated until the health and safety of the riders becomes your FIRST and ONLY priority".

What stinks about the race overall is that there doesn't seem to be any downtime for cyclists who are doing solo efforts cross country. Perhaps if they just said you have 15 days to get there, and total time in the saddle was used to determine who wins instead of the first person to cross the finish line, there wouldn't be so much pressure to ride yourself to death.

Koffee

Yes. Your two suggestions are exactly right. There needs to be mandatory "downtime" of eight hours out of every twenty-four hours. And, the "winner" should be based on "saddle time", not calendar time. There is no need for cyclists to die in this race.

John Howard set his 24 hour record (something like 600 miles in 24 hours) on a course that was closed to motorists. It is possible for cyclists to compete in "extreme" events without dying. Many "first rate" cyclists, such as Lance Armstrong, might be willing to participate in RAAM if the organizers ever acquired a bit of sanity...perhaps now they will.

I just read that the driver that killed Breedlove was 15 years old and did not have a license. Now I wonder what really happened.

http://9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=ae56c624-0abe-421a-0093-f7ef305a2035&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

Well now, everything dies baby,
thats a fact
But maybe everything that dies
someday comes back
Put your makeup on,
Fix your hair up pretty
and meet me tonight
in Atlantic City
Bruce Springsteen

Word on the course was that driver was 15, but also every indication on scene was that he tried to avoid the rider.

No word on whether or not he has been arrested, if he was playing with a gun and accidently shot him wouldn't they have taking him to jail for manslaughter? (Please do not view this as an anti-gun statement).

I just read that the driver that killed Breedlove was 15 years old and did not have a license. Now I wonder what really happened.



"The state patrol says the driver tried to avoid Breedlove and ended up off the road in a ditch."

i would think that if evidence poited the driver (especialy an unlisceced 15 y.o) being at fault, they would be throwing the book at him, doesnt appear to be the case.

im curious as to what the accident rate per hour of sadle time is for RAAM cyclists compared to the rest of the cycling public. might be tough to figure out, but sounds like it would be considerably higher.

alanbikehouston
What you said.

No word on whether or not he has been arrested, if he was playing with a gun and accidently shot him wouldn't they have taking him to jail for manslaughter? (Please do not view this as an anti-gun statement).
What? Why, based on the reports, would he be taken to jail for manslaughter?

Breedlove is said to have slumped over on his bike before swerving into the oncoming truck. For all we know Breedlove could have already been dead before impact. Maybe he fell asleep...but maybe he had a heart attack. ???

Yes. Your two suggestions are exactly right. There needs to be mandatory "downtime" of eight hours out of every twenty-four hours. And, the "winner" should be based on "saddle time", not calendar time. There is no need for cyclists to die in this race.

John Howard set his 24 hour record (something like 600 miles in 24 hours) on a course that was closed to motorists. It is possible for cyclists to compete in "extreme" events without dying. Many "first rate" cyclists, such as Lance Armstrong, might be willing to participate in RAAM if the organizers ever acquired a bit of sanity...perhaps now they will.
I think I agree with you and Koffee, although I think for endurance atheletes of this caliper, something like a 4 hour mandatory down period would be more suitable.

Wasn't breedlove the guy who wrote the article in Bicycling magazine about cycling leading to reduction in bone density?

I think I agree with you and Koffee, although I think for endurance atheletes of this caliper, something like a 4 hour mandatory down period would be more suitable.

I'm sure something could be worked out where thier would be a choice. For example, if the rider wanted to ride the first leg 24hrs straight, he/she would have to rest eight hrs., 12hrs straight would four hrs downtime etc., and so on. Sleep deprivation is just dangerous and stupid.

Actually I'd like to see RAAM turned into a randoneering type event somewhat like Paris-Brest-Paris.

RAAM, like other races, rewards biological freaks of a specific kind. Example-an article about Jonathan Boyer (former pro racer, 1985 RAAM winner) mentioned that several times he has driven his car across the US nonstop--the name Pierre Levegh ring any bells?
Also, RAAM was the first arena for the use of aero bars. The organizers of the Paris-Brest-Paris ride have banned aero bars because of cyclists' propensity for falling asleep while riding on their elbows.

I cannot find words to describe how sad I feel about this.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

What? Why, based on the reports, would he be taken to jail for manslaughter?

i know that he tried to avoid Dr. Breedlove, however a 15 year old without a license should not be driving a car. The driver was involved in an accident in which a person was killed unintentionally. I don't know, I just see something wrong with a kid without a license driving a car in which a person was killed. I wonder if a more experienced driver would have been able to get out of the way.

here's a report with video about Breedlove...

http://www.theiowachannel.com/sports/4648682/detail.html

P.S. Not to say that it isn't a legit race, though... there just should be some guidelines so that riders don't harm themselves just to hit a finish line.

Are the RAAM cyclists tested for drugs before, during or after the race? Given the race conditions, amphetamines, or an equivalent mind bending/body abusing stimulant, would certainly be a likely chemical of choice for those to whom winning is everything. Just asking.

Are the RAAM cyclists tested for drugs before, during or after the race? Given the race conditions, amphetamines, or an equivalent mind bending/body abusing stimulant, would certainly be a likely chemical of choice for those to whom winning is everything. Just asking.

Yes, they do test. This is a link to the rules and banned drugs.
http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/files/raam2005/riderscorner2005/GEAR/36GEARRAAM%20Drug%20Test%20Policy%20and%20Drug%20List%20colmn.doc

here's a report with video about Breedlove...

http://www.theiowachannel.com/sports/4648682/detail.html

At the least this is a nice write up, & the video shows that they did do a little research instead of just reading a 15 second blurb.

15 year olds can be legal drivers with a learner's permit (no actual licence). The news stories seem to indicate "witnesses" (more than one), so there might be some collaboration to what took place.

Who's to say that Dr. Breedlove didn't have an anurism (sp?). Remember the famous marathon runner Jim Fixx? Great shape, perfect health, it was just his time to go. I really don't believe that a bunch of rule changes from the race organizers is going to be the answer.

Yes, they do test. This is a link to the rules and banned drugs.
http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/files/raam2005/riderscorner2005/GEAR/36GEARRAAM%20Drug%20Test%20Policy%20and%20Drug%20List%20colmn.doc
Thank you for the answer with appropriate link.

I have been following RAAM since its earliest days. Each time a rider dies, there is a "discussion" about how concerned the organizers are, and how eager they are to make the changes that will make such deaths less likely in the future.

Yet, the reality is, RAAM is just as dangerous today as it was in the beginning. Cyclists riding 24 hours a day, through rain, fog, and dark, on PUBLIC highways, teeming with thousands of trucks and cars driven by folks who don't expect to see a bicycle.

The State Police in New Mexico have a lawsuit against Ford. Many officers have been injured and killed when Crown Victoria's explode into flames when struck from behind on the highway at night. That is the number ONE threat to the health and safety of highway patrol officers.

So, given that tired drivers, at 3 a.m., are fully capable of driving right into the rear end of a police vehicle that is covered with flashing strobe lights, how capable are those drivers of avoiding someone on a bicycle?

The solution is easy, but RAAM won't do it (the RAAM organizers have always confused "dumb and stubborn" with "toughness and courage":


- ride in daylight hours only

- must be OFF the bike at least eight hours per day

- the route must be on roads with prevailing flow of motor traffic of LESS than 55 mph, or roads where there are very few motor vehicles at all

- the winner selected by "hours in the saddle", not by calendar time

Let's not overlook the hazard this event poses to the general public. You may think it minor initially, but if you consider the ways this could have transpired...

For that reason alone, I'm voting for major changes to the event.

I'm all for endurance events (though I have no interest in registering for any), but the recent posts are absolutely correct: this has become a sleep deprivation experiment gone horribly wrong.

Let's not overlook the hazard this event poses to the general public. You may think it minor initially, but if you consider the ways this could have transpired...

For that reason alone, I'm voting for major changes to the event.

I'm all for endurance events (though I have no interest in registering for any), but the recent posts are absolutely correct: this has become a sleep deprivation experiment gone horribly wrong.

I've been thinking it is beyond hopeless to get the organizers of RAAM to take steps to protect the lives of the riders. Perhaps YOU have the solution: if we all refer to the "race" ONLY as the "SDEGHW", and we let the sponsors and underwriters know how we feel about subjecting riders to the risks of being involved with "SDEGHW", we might be able to shame RAAM into changing its ways. Let this be the LAST time RAAM takes a life.

So, given that tired drivers, at 3 a.m., are fully capable of driving right into the rear end of a police vehicle that is covered with flashing strobe lights, how capable are those drivers of avoiding someone on a bicycle?

Wouldn't they have to run down the follow car first? I've always followed RAAM, but more closely this year, as I worked a Time Station. Every rider that came in at night was closely followed by a very well lit follow car.

RIP Bob and condolances to the family.

I think manditory sleep is a good idea. However this is about freedom of choice. Everyone who races RAAM chooses to be in the race and agrees to the rules. Rules can be changed but we shouldn't belittle the choices the racers made to be in this. To say "its only a race" is shallow. For those who choose to race it is their passion and feuls their spirit. I come from a back ground of mountaineering and rockclimbing. Risk of injury and death is a reality for me. The rewards of these kinds of risky activities are very personal and cannot easily be quatitated. This was a concious choice no one forced him to go out there.

Bob i hope you enjoyed your time and I'm sorry to have never known you. May your life's achivements serve as an inspiration to many.

I learned of Bob's death during the Terrible Two on Saturday from someone who had ridden frequently with Bob and I offer my sincerest condolences to the Breedlove family, truly a tragedy.
To you RAAM bashers, who the hell are you to judge what is the appropriate risk for another person to take? Should Nepal close off Everest? Should it be made illegal to swim the English Channel? Every activity that combines hand/eye coordination with physical endurance involves risk, should we just limit ourselves to 5k runs on closed courses so nobody gets hurt? Maybe bass fishing is the limit of physical injury risk that a family man should undertake...Surely peoples families suffer when unfortunate events such as this transpire, but these people know the risks, they accept the risks, and they live and die for the risks. Their families most likely benifited imensely from the colorful, lifefilled, exuberant joy that their loved ones who were so talented to undertake such a challenge exibited every second they lived. The value of life surely cannot be measured purely by the seconds it lasted.
While I don't know how the laws are today, it wasn't long ago that an unliscensed driver was fully legal to drive a plated 'farm' vehicle (which a pickup would be no execption) on public roads in rural states.

...this is about freedom of choice. Everyone who races RAAM chooses to be in the race and agrees to the rules. Rules can be changed but we shouldn't belittle the choices the racers made to be in this....

"Freedom of choice?" But WHO has the freedom and the choices? If you want to ride in the Tour de France, you agree to the organizers rules. If you want to ride in RAAM, you agree to the organizers rules. So, the ONLY choice the riders get is to quit. Guys tough enough to enter these sorts of races are not quitters by nature. So, to say "Race under rules that will get you killed or don't race at all" is hardly a fair choice.

What is RAAM? What is RAAM about? If it about committing suicide, the riders could just stay in Los Angeles and ride their bikes up and down the freeway during rush hour. No need to ride across America.

I ASSUME the organizers would say the ride is NOT about suicide and NOT a sleep deprivation experiment. They would likely say that it is a high endurance challenge to find out who can ride their bike across the USA in the least time. If THAT is what RAAM is about, there is no need to ride in the dark, there is no need for a rider to go more than sixteen hours without sleep, there is no need to ride along side of 18 wheeler trucks going 70 mph.

I know of people who go to Nascar races just to see the next crash. Hours and hours of boozing and then "Wow...look at that car flipping over". A sick, sick form of entertainment. RAAM should be more than a "Death Watch". It should be a bike race. Riders should NOT have to chose between insane rules and staying at home.

Freedom of choice should involve more choices than quitting. There are dozens of ways to make RAAM a better race and safer race. Doing the same old dumb stuff next year is NOT a choice. Quitting is not a choice.