Bicycle Mechanics - Regarding sydney

Article Launched: 11/24/2005 01:00:00 AM

Truck hits, injures bicyclist; police say teen driver was text-messaging
By The Denver Post


Highlands Ranch - A text- messaging teenager behind the wheel of a Chevrolet truck ran over a 63-year-old bicyclist in Highlands Ranch at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, said Lt. Alan Stanton of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

The newer-model truck was eastbound on Wildcat Reserve Parkway just west of Summit View Road when it crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with the bicycle, Stanton said.

The victim, whose name wasn't immediately released, was airlifted by helicopter to a local hospital.

Stanton said the initial investigation revealed the young driver was text-messaging on his cellphone when the accident occurred.
It isn't believed that alcohol, drugs or excessive speed were a factor in the accident.

The youth was released to his parents at the scene.

Both the truck driver and the bicyclist are residents of Highlands Ranch, Stanton said.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/telenick/sydney.jpg

As a pre-script to this thread, on behalf of the moderators and administrators on the forum, I thought I would give a heads up about sydney.

sydney (didn't like his name to be capitalized) was a member of our forums since January 24, 2004. Incredibly, during the nearly two years that he posted on this forum, he posted over 14 posts per day and over ninety-four hundred posts, with the majority of them being in the Bike Mechanics Forum, elevating him to the fifth highest poster of the over thirty thousand members (as of today, November 26, 2005).

Earlier this week, sydney (real name Jim Price, of Littleton, CO) was riding in the bike lane when a 17 year old who was driving and text messaging on his cell phone drifted over into the bike lane and struck Jim, seriously injuring him. The paramedics did cpr on the scene, then took him to the hospital, where he remained on life support, until his family could reach his side. Later, his family took him off life support. Jim died.

We remember sydney here and we honor him with our memories, and we do keep him alive. He is not of this world anymore, but his spirit will always remain with us. He lives through these forums. He lives through our memories. We will always remember sydney for his profoundly prolific contributions. No matter how brash or abrasive he was, he was always well respected, sought after for advice, and gave incredible advice to people, often going out of his way to elaborate on subjects. No subject was ever treated with anything but total seriousness when dealing with bikes. It is clear sydney loved cycling. It is also clear he was an authority on the subject, and was a great help to many members here.

It is sad that we were not able to express our gratitude to sydney fully for the wisdom he gave. His life was taken well before his time, and though we all wish we could express to him our thanks and praise him for the wonderful advice he gave, we know that is not possible. We do hope, however, that Jim's family will take comfort in knowing that this thread will remain here in honor of sydney. We also ask that Jim's family feel free to return here and continue to participate and use sydney's username and account. I think we would all take some comfort in that.

I end this by using the words of sydney's daughter, Kimberlee when she quoted her father-

Ride Hard, Live Long and Never Give Up!!



Koffee Brown

Forum Moderator

Are you here? I don't have a question or anything, I just would like to hear you are still here.

I think he's busy smoking carpet.

it´s better to let sleeping dogs lie

edit: I was just joking but it seems in very poor taste now.

Its really outrageous - cars suck

- RIP Sydney-

Hi, Just curious were you wondering like me if he might be Jim Price aka biker_billy on the other forum that was reportedly killed by motorist while cycling in the Denver area? I was certainly saddened by reports of Billy's death. He was a valuable source of information and an avid cyclist. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Hi, Just curious were you wondering like me if he might be Jim Price aka biker_billy on the other forum that was reportedly killed by motorist while cycling in the Denver area? I was certainly saddened by reports of Billy's death. He was a valuable source of information and an avid cyclist. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Yes, Montana, That is exactly what I fear.

I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it, but they did have similar writing styles.

Sydney was last active on cyclingforums.com Yesterday @ 11:13 PM

His last post here was on 11-23-05

btw, I'm pretty sure sydney is a brit.

Sydney was last active on cyclingforums.com Yesterday @ 11:13 PM

His last post here was on 11-23-05

btw, I'm pretty sure sydney is a brit.

That is good to hear. As grouchy as he is, I like his straight-forward style.
Sorry to raise a false alarm.

If sydney is a Brit - than he's living in the States. How I know this - I'm not at liberty to state.

I hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it, but they did have similar writing styles.

I have no doubt they are (were) the same.

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=60

Al

So is that a picture of Sydney? (I'm concerned too.)

So is that a picture of Sydney? (I'm concerned too.)

'fraid so.

http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_328082145.html

Al

I can't believe it! I haven't been participating on this forum for very long, but Sydney has always taught me a lot. Despite (and sometimes because of) being a curmudgeon. I feel heartsick that he might be really gone! God save us all from text-messaging teens!!

Does anyone know for sure here, or do people just guess?

A "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated" moment is awkward for everyone involved, I'm sure...

Don't write the epitaph until you've seen the body, so to speak...

In winding back Sydney's posts, he seldom went a day without posting. It has now been two days. Has someone sent a message to his email?

Wow, uhhh... I have a very bad feeling that it was indeed one in the same person. :(

News article states that he's in critical condition. Any further information?

God's speed on recovering sydeny, God's speed.

Well let's hope it's not him and he's just visiting his relatives for the holidays or something.

Wow, uhhh... I have a very bad feeling that it was indeed one in the same person. :(

News article states that he's in critical condition. Any further information?

God's speed on recovering sydeny, God's speed.

Sadly, Mr Price succumbed to his injuries. He was a good man.

Here is an article identifying the man in question.

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. -- A 63-year-old Highlands Ranch man died Friday from his injuries in a car-bicycle crash earlier this week.

The Douglas County sheriff's office has identified the man as Jim R. Price. Authorities say he was hit by a car while he was riding his bike Wednesday at Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Summit View Road.

Price was pronounced dead Friday morning at Swedish Medical Center.

The sheriff's office said the 17-year-old driver may have been text-messaging on his cell phone when he swerved into the bicycle lane. The driver's name hasn't been released. He is also from Highlands Ranch.


Authorities don't think the driver was speeding or that drugs or alcohol were involved. But they say it's likely that charges of careless driving resulting in death will be filed.

The driver of the vehicle was released to his parents at the scene.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/5404020/detail.html

Well I might as well share this then:

Several weeks ago sydney sold me several parts for my now completed bike. I just went out to the garage and found the box that the parts arrived in. The return address: James Price

RIP.

If Jim Price is indeed Sydney, then sadly, he is dead. All of us should lift up Jim Price and his family in our prayers. Such a travesty. News Report (http://9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=c9eb73a8-0abe-421a-01dc-ad1d2b8bef62&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf)

Well I might as well share this then:

Several weeks ago sydney sold me several parts for my now completed bike. I just went out to the garage and found the box that the parts arrived in. The return address: James Price

RIP.

That is the confirmation I was seeking. RIP sydney

:(...

Oh my god.

Holy **** everyone. This is not good. I

I cant even think about this. Oh my god.

hi565

It is indeed sydney. RIP, for those who have known him, he was a great guy.

Oh my god.

Holy **** everyone. This is not good. I

I cant even think about this. Oh my god.

hi565

I'm still in shock myself man.

I'm still in shock myself man.


Its like I should'nt be hit this hard, but I am.

This is really sad, I can't believe it happened. :(

I'm a late comer to this party so Sydney was an established contributor when I first got here. I certainly hope we are all wrong. His wit and succinct, if sometimes cryptic, replies are (were?) a lot of fun to read as well as very informative.

I sure hope he is just on vacation this weekend. He did vanish from the forum for several days a couple of months ago and reappeared saying he had been on a camping trip. I hope that is the case this time too.

God bless. RIP dood and keep on cycling...

Koffee Brown

Oh no. I remember just last week I asked a question in the Mechanics Forum about using a 7spd cassette on a 9spd hub. Sydney was the only one who responded, letting me know I needed to use a 4.5mm spacer.

After all the times he drove me crazy in the past, I'm glad I had the chance to thank him for the advice, rather than ending up in an argument over some pointless technical babble.

It is an absolute shame that some moron teen, took a mans life in this way. As much as I am for personal rights, this is exactly why cell phone use should be banned while driving. I don't give a crap what you say.

All I can say is, at least he passed on doing what he truly loved.

I wish the best for his family.

Jesus no.

What hit me so hard was taking the first ride on those parts I bought from him on Thrusday.

Like Koffee said - keep on cycling sydney - may the road ahead be smooth. Your wisdom, and wit, will always be remembered.

Wow. Anybody have details on surviving family. They might want to hear from us how much he added to this forum.

I'm stunned.

I'm a late comer to this party so Sydney was an established contributor when I first got here. I certainly hope we are all wrong. His wit and succinct, if sometimes cryptic, replies are (were?) a lot of fun to read as well as very informative.

I sure hope he is just on vacation this weekend. He did vanish from the forum for several days a couple of months ago and reappeared saying he had been on a camping trip. I hope that is the case this time too.

I wish that was the case, but it isn't it has been confirmed.

Wow. Anybody have details on surviving family. They might want to hear from us how much he added to this forum.

I'm stunned.

His daughters email address is txstevens@cox.net
Her name is Kimberlee Stevens and she is welcoming emails.

Sydney, you'll always be in our thoughts......keep on cranking, we'll miss you man.

George

Should we do like a group thing to their family?

hi565

I'm glad I had the chance to thank him for the advice, rather than ending up in an argument over some pointless technical babble.

So many missed this.

Hey Jim, you really caved in that roof, pal. See ya on the other side.

Oh no. At least he died doing what he enjoyed (besides smoking carpet). sydney will live on in BF obscure references.

This sucks

Was just headed over here to post the same thing Patriot. It is indeed a terrible thing to be so reckless with a motor vehicle. Text Messaging even more so than talking on a cell phone is a huge distraction and I can barely walk let alone drive (which I refuse to do) while trying to text message.

RIP sydney. Thanks for everything, man. :(

The tough part is that it could have been any of us. From now on everytime I hear a car behind me, I'll be wondering if the driver is playing with his phone. Or radio. Or whatever. All it takes is a second of inattentiveness to destroy lives.

sydney will be missed. :(

First I'd like to say I hope this is untrue but for the short time I've been visiting bikeforums I've learned Sydney is the first guy to call you out on a bad thread but he's also one of the first guys that you could count on for help on hard to find bike info. I myself will really miss his input on this forum.
Is anyone aware of his family's financial situation? I'm sure there is a few of us on here that could help out if needed.

Yes, this is unbelievably sad especially since some kid was playing on his cell phone. I’ve had a couple of close calls because of this. If the moderators can pull this off I would like to donate flowers to the family. Just a thought.

Ride on in peace sydney. Despite the hard edge of your posts here, you are missed greatly. :(

Why they still allow cell phones in cars is beyond me. It is truly a threat to the other cars, as well as cyclists and pedestrians to have distracted people out on their cellphones busy doing everything but looking at the road.

I hope the kid goes down for murder and gets prison time. It's about time someone was properly prosecuted for killing a cyclist.

Koffee

Why they still allow cell phones in cars is beyond me. It is truly a threat to the other cars, as well as cyclists and pedestrians to have distracted people out on their cellphones busy doing everything but looking at the road.

I hope the kid goes down for murder and gets prison time. It's about time someone was properly prosecuted for killing a cyclist.

Koffee

+1 :(

His sharp tongue and meaningufl contributions will be missed. Rest in peace.