#1
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RAAM rider killed
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Ads |
#2
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"gds" wrote:
see:http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/ Here it is. Yikes. With profound regret, Race Across America announces that Bob Breedlove, competitor #188, collided head-on with a pickup truck at approximately 12.15 p.m. EDT, on June 23, 28 miles west of Trinidad, Colorado. When paramedics arrived on the scene they pronounced him dead. The accident took place on a section of road that sloped very gently downhill for cyclists in the race. According to the driver of the pickup truck, Bob Breedlove appeared to collapse on his bicycle and swerved into the path of the oncoming vehicle. Cyclists competing in the Race Across America are offered the option of completing the race, should they so desire. Race Director Jim Pitre said: "Speaking both personally, and on behalf of the entire management and all those associated with the race, I extend my most sincere sympathy to the family of Bob Breedlove." At the time of the accident, Bob Breedlove was leading the 50+ category, and was 12th overall in the race. |
#3
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At least he went out on a bike.
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#4
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"Neil Brooks" wrote in message
With profound regret, Race Across America announces that Bob Breedlove, competitor #188, collided head-on with a pickup truck at At the time of the accident, Bob Breedlove was leading the 50+ category, and was 12th overall in the race. In the entire history of RAAM, this is the second death. On the other hand, the first death was either 2 or 3 years ago, the number of competitors is small, and the pressures may be increasing. IIRC, Breedlove was defending his "over 50" record. When he set the record, he made a few additional stops at fire stations as part of a "post 9/11" event. It's possible that the race is becoming more "serious" now and people may be taking even more chances. The brief news story indicates "It seemed like he must have passed out, he slumped on his bars. He just swerved right into our lane." It's also possible I'm just overreacting. |
#5
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Mike Kruger wrote:
In the entire history of RAAM, this is the second death. On the other hand, the first death was either 2 or 3 years ago. Wasn't there a Canadian rider (without a support team) badly injured 10+ years ago? It's possible that the race is becoming more "serious" now and people may be taking even more chances. Maybe just the sleep deprivation. It's probably not a great idea to ride day after day on 2-3 hours sleep. It's also interesting that this incident sounds eerily similar to the other recent fatality caused by a rider crossing over the centerline (apparently) unintentionally. Art Harris |
#6
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24 Jun 2005 10:02:35 -0700,
.com, "Art Harris" wrote: Maybe just the sleep deprivation. It's probably not a great idea to ride day after day on 2-3 hours sleep. That was my thought too. Those micro-sleeps happen quite regularly when running a sleep deficit. Didn't the old-time 6-day racers hve problems with hallucinating after a few days so that now 6-day races are less demanding? It's also interesting that this incident sounds eerily similar to the other recent fatality caused by a rider crossing over the centerline (apparently) unintentionally. Heat stroke was mentioned as another possibilty. -- zk |
#7
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In the entire history of RAAM, this is the second death.
On the other hand, the first death was either 2 or 3 years ago, the number of competitors is small, and the pressures may be increasing. IIRC, it the third. A solo competitor, riding without support, was killed many years ago. Chris Neary "Science, freedom, beauty, adventu what more could you ask of life? Bicycling combined all the elements I loved" - Adapted from a quotation by Charles Lindbergh |
#8
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"Zoot Katz" wrote in message
... 24 Jun 2005 10:02:35 -0700, .com, "Art Harris" wrote: Maybe just the sleep deprivation. It's probably not a great idea to ride day after day on 2-3 hours sleep. That was my thought too. Those micro-sleeps happen quite regularly when running a sleep deficit. Didn't the old-time 6-day racers hve problems with hallucinating after a few days so that now 6-day races are less demanding? It's also interesting that this incident sounds eerily similar to the other recent fatality caused by a rider crossing over the centerline (apparently) unintentionally. Heat stroke was mentioned as another possibilty. -- zk Nothing about RAAM is a good idea. A poster over in rec.bicycles.racing made an interesting analysis that concluded the death rate for RAAM participants, if extrapolated to Tour de France participants, would work out to 3 rider deaths in the TdF per year. Do you think that would be allowed to continue for long? As I said over in rec.bicyles.racing, it's a mass suicide attempt. Dr. Breedlove was successful. It's a shame and I'm sad for him and his family .... but I honestly feel worse when I think about the poor guy who had a passed out cyclist crash through his windshield. -- Bob C. "Of course it hurts. The trick is not minding that it hurts." T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) |
#9
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Art Harris asked:
Wasn't there a Canadian rider (without a support team) badly injured 10+ years ago? Yes, I recall it happened at night in New Mexico, but I don't remember any other details. -- "Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes, it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877) |
#10
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psycholist wrote: Nothing about RAAM is a good idea. A poster over in rec.bicycles.racing made an interesting analysis that concluded the death rate for RAAM participants, if extrapolated to Tour de France participants, would work out to 3 rider deaths in the TdF per year. Do you think that would be allowed to continue for long? As I said over in rec.bicyles.racing, it's a mass suicide attempt. Dr. Breedlove was successful. It's a shame and I'm sad for him and his family ... but I honestly feel worse when I think about the poor guy who had a passed out cyclist crash through his windshield. I tend to agree with you main points- although I'm probably enough of a libertarian to say that if these folks want to go out and do this that is OK. Anyone who has ever been in the military has learned that sleep deprivation is one of the main risks in combat and thus one of the main ingredients in training. The data there is very clear that no matter how high the level of fitness that sleep deprived folks quickly lose large amounts of both physical and mental abilities. And to me that is the key variable that makes RAAM more of freak show than an atthletic event. The winner needs to maximize on dealing with massive sleep deprivation rather than pure bicycle fitness or speed. I'm not arguing that these folks are not fit but rather that cycling fitness as "normally" defined is secondary to dealing with the lack of sleep. The death rate and medical drop out rate is probably higher than boxing. That is not what cycling is about. |
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