Anyone heard any talk in this forum about the rider who died from a freak bike failure a couple months back?
My family has ridden with him, he was on a new CF framed bike (I'll leave out the brand for now, but it was very expensive) when it self destructed at 15mph on a smooth road, there were witnesses. His bike just collapsed, he landed on top of his helmeted head, and damaged his brain stem to the point of being paralyzed/heart stopped, etc bad...

He lived for a couple months but died a day ago from his injuries.

I ride with that club sometimes, but they don't seem to have a message board I can find.

Thanks in advance

It's the Massapequa Park Bike Club. Here's a link to the post about it. I only started visiting the MPBC forum a month or so ago because I was considering joining the club. So sad to read stuff like that...

http://www.massparkbikeclub.org/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=142

Thanks, I eventually found that after posting it here, but I found the same thing, not much information at all. My parent's went to the funeral last week, I just can't believe there's not more news on this, no one seems to know about it at LBS's in the city.

Massapequa.... my old stomping grounds. Berner HS grad.

How times have changed. I took my children down to LI a few weeks ago, and showed them where I used to ride as a kid. Those were much safer days (early '70's), or at least so we believed. This was before Sunrise Mall was built, and I would bike from one of the adjacent neighborhoods (Northgate Rd) over the the "3 streams" - the bike path (dirt) that ran from Massapequa station all the way up to Bethpage Park. We'd spend the day loafing around the park, then ride home before nightfall.

And nobody worried.... Today, in rural Eastern Dutchess County, I freak when I haven't seen my girls in the past 3 minutes!!!

While down there, I pointed out the "Schwinn" dealer in the Park, right next to Frank Grillo's Mobil. Of course it isn't the Schwinn shop any more, and come to think of it, I heard Frank Sr. died years ago.... Made a pilgramage to Brands in Wantagh. That has grown a lot!

Massapequa.... my old stomping grounds. Berner HS grad.

How times have changed. I took my children down to LI a few weeks ago, and showed them where I used to ride as a kid. Those were much safer days (early '70's), or at least so we believed. This was before Sunrise Mall was built, and I would bike from one of the adjacent neighborhoods (Northgate Rd) over the the "3 streams" - the bike path (dirt) that ran from Massapequa station all the way up to Bethpage Park. We'd spend the day loafing around the park, then ride home before nightfall.

And nobody worried.... Today, in rural Eastern Dutchess County, I freak when I haven't seen my girls in the past 3 minutes!!!

While down there, I pointed out the "Schwinn" dealer in the Park, right next to Frank Grillo's Mobil. Of course it isn't the Schwinn shop any more, and come to think of it, I heard Frank Sr. died years ago.... Made a pilgramage to Brands in Wantagh. That has grown a lot!



Hey man, I graduated BHS in 86, small internet ain't it.

I remember them building that mall, the train tracks were ground level, and there was alot of woods and marsh land around. I remember Sunrise Schwinn, but I was partial to a smaller place in Amityville, on Merrick Rd, forgot the name, but an old guy and his son ran it. Bought my first good bike there (Lotus Eclair). It was next to the guy who did all the foreign car repairs (he actually owned that whole block).

Did my first trail cycling ever on that Bethpage/Tacapusha reserve area.

I grew up in Queens but moved out to the island about 10 yrs ago...mostly in the Massapequa area. I'm in Wantagh now but I usually ride the Bethpage trail on the weekends. During the week, after work, I stick to the Cedar Creek trail. I never saw the island the way you guys did, but I'm sure alot has changed. All neighborhoods change. Ahhh, if only we could go back in time.

Fibber: Heading to the Fair at all? I've never been there but will most likely be going next Tuesday. Just wondering what it's like.

-Tina

I bought a set Schwinn bottle generator lights from Sunrise Schwinn in '83. I just gave them away last year.

In the late 80s I was selling transmission parts to Frank Grillo Mobile.

Hope you guys don't mind a compiled response!

I went to Eastlake Elem, McKenna JH, & Berner, graduating in '75. The 'woods', as we knew Sunrise Mall prior to construction beginning in '72 was 75 acres of cycling bliss with a deep sand pit in the center section. It was crisscrossed with trails, and I built up a number of bikes to ride (and kill) in there.

A friend of mine's brother was killed on his bike at the grade level RR crossing at Park Lane / Unqua. He wanted to beat the Eastbounder, but didn't look left to see that there was a Westbounder coming at the same time. Very sad....

Is the route up along the lakes to Bethpage paved now? I was a dirt trail when I was young.

Trying to remember the foreign car place on Merrick. Was that the site that was Amity Chevy? A few blocks West of Rt 110. My dad bought a Chevelle from them in '65, and I think they went under and became a private shop.

The Dutchess County fair is wonderful. Clean, extremely safe, with something for everyone. Still has it's agricultural roots, crafts, antique restorations with lots of noisy 'hit & miss' engines (ok, a guy thing), cooking shows, talent shows, big name acts, great food, etc. Plan on a full day, as it is pretty large. If you have kids, go on the web for advance purchase tickets for admission and rides. We rarely miss a year. By comparison, Ulster fair is nice but very small. Orange County fair has a bit of a dark side to it, and you have to be a little more careful.

Bet you were selling to Frank Jr. by the late '80's. Are they still there?

Any links to trail maps for the Island. Casual family riding with either a trailer or trail-a-bike for my youngest.

Steve

A riding buddy, who lives in Massapequa, told me today that Massapequa is an old indian word for "Near the mall"

Loved it.

SB

Yep, that is the modern interpretation of the tribal name. But I prefer the battle cry of the LIRR conductors from 35 years ago as you pulled out of Seaford Station: "Next Stop - Matzos-Pizzas". Bet they don't say that stuff anymore!

Sad but true. Jay's bike failed and he had injuries similar to Christopher Reed. After months in the hospital he died from complications.

I bought a set Schwinn bottle generator lights from Sunrise Schwinn in '83. I just gave them away last year.

In the late 80s I was selling transmission parts to Frank Grillo Mobile.

Funny you should mention Frank. I knew him well. We own Sunrise Cyclery as that is the name now, but same owners.

However, I grew up in Bethpage and went to Island Trees. Anyone from there?

Anyone heard any talk in this forum about the rider who died from a freak bike failure a couple months back?
you couldn't have searched that far, i started this thread about the incident in the road forums over two and a half months ago, two days after it happened...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=294488

Unfortunate and tragic news. Condolences to family and friends of the deceased rider.

you couldn't have searched that far, i started this thread about the incident in the road forums over two and a half months ago, two days after it happened...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=294488


Thanks for the link.

And you're right, I didn't "search that far", just on the Massapequa club's site, and this regional forum.

I guess I shouldn't have brought it up since you already started a thread months ago, "two days after it happened"




my bad.....

... Berner HS grad. ...

So why a Shepherd and not a Berner in your avatar. :p

Madison, my wonderful 100+ pound male full shepherd, passed away in great distress from a condition called Bloat a few months back. He was only 7 years old at the time. That photo was taken in happier times when he was 'pet for a day' at my daughters preschool. He had been a companion animal prior to being given to us, and had the most gentle and laid back disposition. We keep talking about another dog, but the very thought of it breaks my heart.

I know you are just kidding. Some day soon I do need to retire that photo.

Alfred G. Berner Sr. High School has been demoted to a Jr. HS due to shrinking enrollment. I guess this means my diploma is worthless?

Sorry about Madison. We had a similar issue in January 2006, and I understand all too well.

Hopefully the family of this person who died will appreciate the extended reach of cyclists offering virtual support. What an unfortunate situation for this Jay Suslan gentleman.