Foo - I lost a friend

Yesterday evening I got an email from my teammates that one of our members, Don, had a bad accident while riding to work. The reports were sketchy, but apparently he caught a signpost, went down hard and broke his C1 and C2 vertebrae, along with other injuries still to be determined.

I signed up for his CaringBridge page to keep up with his progress, hoping for the best, but today's news was that his brain injury is unrecoverable and that his wishes were if this situation was ever to come up that he not be artificially sustained. I can understand as he'd be paralyzed and unable to interact with his family in any meaningful way. They are honoring his wishes and letting him go.

I've spent a good bit of time with Don, mostly at the 24 Hours of Moab, first supporting him as a racer, then two years ago he had a pre-race injury and helped me out with race support. All I can say is that I'm very sad to no longer be able to share his company. Don was a great guy, humble, curious, happy no matter what the situation and generous to a fault...one of those friends we'd all wish to be like.

I'm still a bit blown away by it all, but thought I'd share it with my friends here. Fellow cyclists, we're down by one good man. :cry:

I'm sorry.

Aw, sorry to hear that.

Man, that's brutal. Very sorry to hear about that.

Hugs, man- I'm sorry to hear this. Everyone involved is in my thoughts tonight.

I can't help but shed some tears over this. It's definitely one of those situations that could happen to any one of us.

Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you every day.

Now, I am scarred to ride outside, I might as well just stick to tai-bo for my excercise. :(

I'm terribly sorry for your loss, and that of everyone who knew him.

Sorry for your loss, Wordbiker. All I can offer in consoling thoughts is that if you have to leave this world, it might as well be doing something you love to do. Remember him fondly, as he'll exist as long as he's remembered.

Ugh. I'm very sorry to hear this. From your description, Don would have made a great fooster.

Ugh. I'm very sorry to hear this. From your description, Don would have made a great fooster.

Very much so.

Most of my time spent with Don was making one another laugh. We were doing a tough job made easier by his company...much like Foo does in our lives.

Thank you all for your condolences, prayers and well wishes. Don's family still has a rough road ahead of them.

I'm very sorry Word, that's a terrible thing to happen. Keep your chin up and do good in his name.

WB - I'm sorry to hear this. In time, I'm sure you'll find some appropriate way to honor him. Pass along our condolences to his family if you feel it's appropriate. :(

A little after 7PM, Don's endotracheal tube was removed. His family was by his side as he passed into the next world. Until I see you there Don, I will do my best to live a life of love as you did.

My condolences Word.

I'm so terribly sorry to hear such horrible news. Prayers to all. :(

Sorry to hear that, WB. I will say a prayer for his family.

So sorry Wordbiker. It is so hard losing someone. Take care.

Sorry for your loss, Wordbiker...

:(

So sorry for your loss. :(

Oh man I'm sooooo sorry!:cry:

Sorry to hear wordbiker.

WB -- my sorrow, man. Yes, we have all lost a brother, but you knew him better than we.

We all mourn, but you will have to remember him fondly for us all.

Your sorrow is mine.

I talked to my teammate Richard today and he shared a Don story.

I didn't get to see Don at Moab this year, but was never told the story why. Apparently Don was the team captain and had planned to go. When it became apparent that he couldn't work full time, train and remodel his mother's house all by himself...he opted out. To "make up" for dropping out, he refused to take his teammates entry money, paying the whole bill himself.

I was also given a link to some pictures of Don. I only knew him through the mountain bike team, but Don was much more athletic and well-traveled than I'd given him credit for. Triathlete, roadie, rock climber, daily commuter...Don was a very fit guy. He also gave back as a director of our junior road development team, pictured here third from the right, back row.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/5328_121270928703_690578703_2216584.jpg

You were a mentor to far more people than you know Don. Ride in peace brother.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/5328_121325613703_690578703_2217485.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/5328_121270928703_690578703_2216584.jpg

I see at least 14 bits of decades of legacy here.....

Each of the kids in the picture will carry fond memories throughout their lives, and will be served by examples he set for them. It's a good legacy. :D

That's terrible news, Wordbiker. I am sorry about your friend. He sounds like he was a truly fine human.

I am sorry for your loss WB. Remember him and the way he lived!

:(

:(

:hug:

I'm so sorry to hear this Word.

Rick

Sorry to hear, WB. Sounds like a great guy who had a very positive impact on the world in his time here.

To Don! :beer:

Praying for you, your friend and both your families, Word.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l156/Wordbiker/5328_121270928703_690578703_2216584.jpg

I see at least 14 bits of decades of legacy here.....

Each of the kids in the picture will carry fond memories throughout their lives, and will be served by examples he set for them. It's a good legacy. :D

I know Tom.

It's stuff like that which keeps me involved with the team.

Thank you all for your kind hearts and compassion. :love::hug:

this is so terribly sad. I normally try to avoid these bad news threads as tragic stories about cycling make me doubt riding. Irrational but i doubt anyone doesn't think it every now and then. Somehow the OP made me read it and was very very moving. He sounds like a great person, taken too soon.

Condolences to you and his family.

Sorry for your loss WB....my condolonces to you and his family.

so sorry, WB

Sorry for your loss.

WB, sorry to hear about your loss. no doubt he made an amazing positive impact during his short time here, and his number was up. now its up to folks like you to carry on that legacy. :thumb:
and... :hug:

also, if I can take a moment to point out... the importance of a health care directive. how fortunate his family didn't have to make that decision.
today's news was that his brain injury is unrecoverable and that his wishes were if this situation was ever to come up that he not be artificially sustained. I can understand as he'd be paralyzed and unable to interact with his family in any meaningful way. They are honoring his wishes and letting him go.

Several years ago I lost a good friend to complications from a serious injury. She was an expert mountain biker and had won her category at the senior olympics several years in a row. She was out riding with friends, slipped off the trail and in a freak accident, broke her neck. She was rendered a quad. This was a woman who never stopped moving - always exercising, was strong as a horse and totally independent -now totally defendent on others. She lasted 2 years. It was a tough two years - she wanted to commit suicide and end her imprisonment. It was a blessing to see her go.

Instead of being sad I always think about how strong she was. How she made us all want to try harder and be more like her. I remember her courage and I remember her depression and how we had many conversations about God and what He meant to us both.

I am so sorry for your loss but remember he was doing what he loved and hopefully he left an impression on those around him. Always remember all the good things about him and try not to be sad. He probably would hate that!

Sorry. :(

WB- sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Our prayers are with you and Don's family. I am certain that his legacy will carry on within the ICCC group.