tarwheel 

Sad story in the local news today about a missing bike tourer who was found dead in his tent, apparently from natural causes. The 66-year-old was trying to complete a lifelong dream to ride down the East Coast from Massachusetts to Florida. His family became worried after they hadn't heard from him for several days and began a search in our area, where he had last contacted home.

Bicyclist missing in Knightdale found dead :: WRAL.com

mdilthey

Tragic. A good reminder to stay safe and be in contact with help and loved ones. Hopefully this wasn't a case of trying to "tough it out" because you're supposed to on a tour... you're not.

Thanks for letting us know, Tarwheel.

10 Wheels

Sad

badger_biker 

Very sad but a lot can be said about being able to exit this world somewhat peacefully while living your dream. I would choose this over getting snuffed by a vehicle but it is still a shame.

Marc40a

I read an online comment about this story that I totally agree with...

Something to the effect of "Better he died pursuing his dream than in a hospital bed, wearing a diaper, pumped full of morphine."

gandrimp

The guy died doing what he wanted to do his whole life. If only I could go out the same way.

rumrunn6

just saw this in our local news. I wonder if I would do the same, solo

staehpj1 

At only 66, with young grand children, and apparently fit, I'd rather hang around quite a while. Yes there is something to be said for dying while doing something you love, but at 64 I like to think I will be riding another 20 years or more.

Todzilla

No doubt we all would. But the underlying question is: did his ride itself hasten his demise? I would think not.

I live in the area and when I read about his disappearance I was saddened. Further saddened to hear he had died, but I too felt some comfort he died peacefully while pursuing a lifelong adventure.

Vintage_Cyclist

I bought a used bike (an 83 Motobecane Grand Touring) last spring from a guy who said his father used to use it for touring. He said his old man was still an avid cyclist at age 82 and was also still doing extended bicycle tours with friends.

Cyclebum

Beat the heck out of dying in a nursing home. At 74, hoping for 10 more years. But Spoon says "Harpo, you go down fast after 75." Spoon is sort of 'down' right now, at a point where cycling is out of the question. Recovery anticipated, but not quickly.

Arvadaman

Glad to see him doing what he loved.

Rest in peace Richard.

Condolences to his family.

MassiveD

I am currently recovering from triple by-pass. I'm 56 and spent the summer getting into all kinds of mischief with big logs and open water swims and teenagers that hate me. Lots of stress. Way less smooth stress than riding a bike.

When did the heart attack hit? Watching tv while eating a bowl of corn flakes. This stuff runs in my family. I got away with every kind of crazy stunt this summer, and yet nearly died from sitting on the couch eating cereal. Tomorrow is promised to no one. What ifs are meaningless.

sam21fire

My condolences to the family, but I've seen people die (with families present) in MUCH worse situations, full of regret and pain. As stated above, I'll take a tent in the wood during a tour over connected to tubes and wires watching my family weep.

Enjoy your continuing adventure, Sir...Seeya at the next summit.

thumpism 

I just turned 65 and would like to do some more bike, motorcycle, and VW camper touring in my future. I'd like to think I would not be intimidated into staying home by the prospect of something like this happening to me during a trip. If ya gotta go...

RWBlue01

If you have to go, you have to go. I am a good bit younger, but I would rather go on tour or doing something else for fun, vs. sitting in a meeting or laying in a hospital.

saddlesores

i was running marathons, doing year-long cycle tours....apparently fit. went in for a
simple physical, doc says "everything's just fine, well, except for that murmer, but you
knew about that, right?"

no. i didn't. echo tells me i'll be needing a new valve, in ten years or so sez
the doc.

five years later...........valve area had reduced from size of a 3/4" pvc pipe to that
of a mcdonald's drinking straw.

felt okay. went jogging, took a shower, went to bed, next day caught flight to
india for heart surgery.

one month later back on the bike. one more month managed a century. a

MadKaw

Dang, he almost made it.

Not being flippant. I have come to know what goals mean. I wish he could have made it to Florida.

indyfabz

Pfft! I am 50. I have had a St. Jude aortic valve since I was 25.

mobilemail

I tell my wife that I would rather go like this than waste away slowly in my easy chair. There is no guarantee we will live a day longer, but we can live every day better.