Cyclist out of NY doing the C&O from Harpers Ferry to DC. Tree fell on him during a storm that whipped up yesterday.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...wlxH_blog.html

CCrew, RIP to the rider. It's summer and with so many on the road all manner of wrecks and their severity are to be expected, but this incident is bizarre.

Brad

RIP.....must have been his time to go.

Yikes! What are the chances? It would be difficult to look for such hazards every mile but I can see how this could happen overnight at a campsite. A real lesson in keeping a weather eye and seeking proper shelter before a severe storm. Also careful inspection of your campsite.

Yeah, I think they were actually riding based on the description. I'm like you in the chances, worse than the lottery I'm sure!. There was an 8 year old that got killed a couple weeks ago in the DC area when a tree fell on their tent. I keep thinking - When your number gets called you're going regardless!

RIP to the guy, hopefully it was something he loved doing.

At least they didn't feel compelled to specify whether or not he was wearing a helmet.

He died doing what he enjoyed doing. Not many can have that chance.

So sad to hear this story.

I rode the stretch from Edwards Ferry to Sycamore Landing today, and it was an absolute mess. This was within a mile and just south of where the tragedy occurred. In a three mile stretch, I had to carry my bike over or around probably 50 large trees that had fallen across the towpath. Looks like the wind blasted through there. It was not a fun ride and I only rode it to avoid a much longer ride on the road, but in retrospect, it would have been much faster to take the longer route.

I saw several fully-outfitted tourers on River Road, unable to ride the towpath.

Here are a couple pics from today's ride at Mile 29.

WOW!!! the of stories of weather issues on the C&O this year with the flooding earlier and then this.... would make a tour there a pain.... going to have to keep a eye out before my August camping tour on the canal...

Thanks for expanding on the info, what a mess.

Brad

Sorry to hear that cyclist dying. The C&O is wonderful but boy, when a storm comes, places to shelter can be minimal along it. And unless you hear the thunder, it's hard to tell when a storm is coming on the C&O. Still this is a freak accident and I would feel far more safer along the C&O then riding along US 40.

I feel bad for his friend! Imagine the shock when he went back to check on the guy and found him dead. That was truly a freak accident.

This a true tragedy my prayers go out to the rider, his family and friends.

And all the more reason to stick together. My one riding buddy is a good guy but once he gets rolling, he does not stop. He is almost 10 years my senior but is much faster than me. We just got back from a tour of the Greenbrier, which is much more remote than the C&O and has lots more hazards like bears.

A simple accident can turn into a real tragedy without help. That has to be going through the surviving friend's mind. No telling what he could have been done to prevent it or get more immediate help had he been there. Perhaps nothing or perhaps there would have been two of them involved.

I agree with gpsblake. It is hard to see a storm coming on the C&O. But a good idea would be to get a weather report before you set out for the day.