Audax Cyclist killed

[Underachiever]

Hectic!

 

Condolences to the friends and family.

 

Maybe it is a sign for the Audax organisers to up the safety a bit more?

 

Not the fault of the organisers at all!!!!

 

I was part of the Audax yesterday - was VERY fortunate not to have witnessed this tragic, tragic accident.

 

Most, if not all of the riders involved in Audax events use the full left hand side of the road at one point in time during the course of the event. Especially on the quieter roads. This is my 4th event of the year. Normally the groups are very small - 2 to 4 riders per bunch and about 20 riders in total. Lots ride alone. All of the races are done on relative quiet roads, but it only takes one truck......

 

Yesterday, being a shorter ride, attracted a lot of riders, probably 50+, and the bunches were big and fast.

 

We all are to blame.....we should ride single file....

[Underachiever]

Thats just it, there is no back up, no safety, no ambulance on stand by, no nothing, zip, nada, squat, you get a map and a card and they wave goodbye, see ya in X hours....or maybe not,..... you are on your own.

 

...and you actually pay for that privilidge.

 

GOG, sounds to me like a typical training ride that we all do every weekend, bar the map and the card. Unless you train with an ambulance behind you 100% of the time?

 

BTW, there are a fair bit of support vehicles involved, they do get "involved" when needed. Another fall resulted in a broken collarbone and the vehicle was to the rescue.

[TheSaint]

Almost weekly I read about a cyclist dying on our roads. This is happening far to often. Having lost someone close in a similar accident this heart breaking.

 

Is there nothing that can be done???????????

 

My prays are with the family.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

GOG, sounds to me like a typical training ride that we all do every weekend, bar the map and the card. Unless you train with an ambulance behind you 100% of the time?

 

BTW, there are a fair bit of support vehicles involved, they do get "involved" when needed. Another fall resulted in a broken collarbone and the vehicle was to the rescue.

 

Naa, not quite the same thing. On my typical training ride I go at a time that suits me (a time that I feel is safe) and I pick the route (one that I feel comfortable with).

 

Having your own support vehicles is differant to having AUDAX support vehicles like a stand by ambulance etc, I have also done my share of Audax, and never have I heard of them providing any kind of emergency medical assistance. I even wrote them a letter once on this very issue, I was told its not in the spirit of Audax and the rules expressly forbid it.

 

I am sorry, this is not europe where towns are 5 kms apart, there are excellant road systems, good emergency medical support in all towns, roads are a lot safer and above all its safe to ride alone.

 

This is Africa, we have severely potholed roads, serious road issues with massive trucks and unroadworthy vehicles, in these small towns absolutely no emergency medical assistance unless its on standby (witness the debacle in Lydenberg this very weekend where the fire truck broke down on route and two young kids burnt to death) towns can be as far as 50 kms apart and the routes go through some of the most inhospitable and dangerous areas imagineable, frankly I wouldnt feel too safe driving through them on a hot summers day in my car, let alone on mt own at night on a bicycle.

 

I dont care what Audax says, in my opinion its totally unsafe.

[GuyP]

It was from the front.

 

I was part of the group, 80km (not 8km) into the ride.

[covie]

Seems like there is two very contradictory stories here, one says from the back, and one says from the front.?

 

Either way, its very upsetting, especially for those who witnessed it.

 

 

as sad as i am about this whole story, both versions have one thing in common the cyclist was over the line in the road. makes sense the truck came from behind though.

 

I nearly took out a roadie that was cycling in the middle of the road at the bottom of franschoek pass. And then he had the balls to get agro with me like i was in the wrong.

 

I have the world of sympathy for cyclists who get knocked down, but if people continue to ride in big groups like they own the road, they will get mangled thats just a fact in this country. Im a avid cyclist but i would never dream of riding on a road with no shoulder and I make damn sure i never cross into the road.

 

I have said this before if the car/truck was driving in a yellow line I would be majorly upset by events, But if you as a cyclist keep on riding like the road is yours in a unsafe fashion, I really fail to empathize, (yes its harsh and you may flame away on my attitude and comments) but thats the risk you run, trying to put your 7kg bike agains a 2-20 ton vehicle. The math is not in your favour so dont do it.

 

Stick to roads commonly used by cyclists where motorists are aware, and roads with big shoulders. Its not pefect but it is safer.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I have said this before if the car/truck was driving in a yellow line I would be majorly upset by events, But if you as a cyclist keep on riding like the road is yours in a unsafe fashion, I really fail to empathize, (yes its harsh and you may flame away on my attitude and comments) but thats the risk you run, trying to put your 7kg bike agains a 2-20 ton vehicle. The math is not in your favour so dont do it.

 

Stick to roads commonly used by cyclists where motorists are aware, and roads with big shoulders. Its not pefect but it is safer.

 

Yeah, no argument from me, I agree with you.

[FC&P2C]

I think people should not confuse an Audax event with a funride of any sort. If you do spinning during the week cause you are to scared or unskilled to ride on public roads and only actually get on your bike during an event cause you feel save in the company of many cyclists around you then you should not pay the small amount as entry fee for an Audax. You most likely also believe that there is safety in numbers on the road and think riding the crater loop with 150 club members is the ultimate! Problem is that there are no safety in numbers. In fact the fewer cyclists together the safer you are. That way you can stay on the side of the road and all vehicles can pass you even if there is oncoming traffic. Yes accidents can still happen but your odds improve greatly if you stay out of motor vehicle's way.

This is another very sad day for all who love to ride our bikes. Lets learn from this and ride single file. PLEASE!!!

[2 X 2]

Guys, a fellow cyclist died. Whether he was in the wrong or not, he died, he is gone forever, he will not be back with his family and friends. Think of that.

 

What is the first thing that some hubbers do? They start with mudslinging, unbelievable

[chris_w_65]

This was in the Cyclelab newsletter today

 

An absolute tragedy!

Please read this email that was received from Ken McArthur on Monday.

READ, LISTEN, HEAR and REFLECT!!!!!!

Ken, Debbie, Rob, Heidi and Michelle will address our club riders before the club ride on Saturday.

Hi Ali

 

I write this as you will see below that yesterday I experienced a terrible death and wondered if this might help accent our fragility as riders and the value of being more responsible in our riding.

 

Yesterday, Myself, Debbie, Rob, Heidi and Michelle with about 25 others stood in the veld between Delmas and Devon and watch helpless as one of our fellow riders died. Although not a club member it could very well have been.

 

He had been hit by a truck! There was a doctor riding with us, a nurse too (Michelle) and eventually two lots of medics arrived and all worked furiously and continuously for well over an hour to try and save Clinton. We had set off to ride the Audax 200kms full of joy and life and instead returned home shocked and devastated.

 

The why’s and wherefore’s and who was to blame is not why I write, indeed what actually happened will be hard to unravel. I write, however, to accent, that what we do is dangerous and we, cyclists, have to take responsibility for our own safety. We are fragile particularly when competing with 25 tonnes of truck or a ton and half of motorcar.

 

Yesterday standing watching, helpless, the fight to revive Clinton, I could but reflect that we all, yes me too, despite hearing and being given warnings at club rides, in magazines and newsletters have to get past our invincible selves and testosterone surges to safe guard all road user by being courteous and following all traffic rules. We are so privileged to ride as we do, it must remain our responsibility to protect that privilege by guiding, correcting and admonishing any transgression of any rider.

 

No one wants to see what we saw yesterday but let’s use it positively to reduce this happening more often. We can self-regulating and contribute positively to society and cycling.

 

Traumatised

Ken

 

[Brakkies Sport Fotos]

Statement 1: It was in Devon, 8km into the ride and they were riding three abreast.

 

Statement 2: We however only ended up doing 150km's as there was a terrible accident

a guy in our group went over the white line and an oncoming truck went into him

 

==

 

And than there is still some off you who have a opinion if other cyclist gets upset because you disobey the traffic rules?

 

YES, SOMEONE DIE, It looks like he made that choice himself.

 

Do not blame the Organizers !!

 

In afrikaans: As jy nie wil hoor nie, moet jy voel

[Klaus]

Very, very sad

 

 

Best wishes to his family and friends.

[2 X 2]

Statement 1: It was in Devon, 8km into the ride and they were riding three abreast.

 

Statement 2: We however only ended up doing 150km's as there was a terrible accident

a guy in our group went over the white line and an oncoming truck went into him

 

==

 

And than there is still some off you who have a opinion if other cyclist gets upset because you disobey the traffic rules?

 

YES, SOMEONE DIE, It looks like he made that choice himself.

 

Do not blame the Organizers !!

 

In afrikaans: As jy nie wil hoor nie, moet jy voel

 

Kry 'n lewe

[Yellow Zebra]

Guys, a fellow cyclist died. Whether he was in the wrong or not, he died, he is gone forever, he will not be back with his family and friends. Think of that.

 

What is the first thing that some hubbers do? They start with mudslinging, unbelievable

I have massive empathy for the cyclist who passed away - tragic.

 

But with an increasing number of cyclists dying in vehicle collisions, it is good to discuss the how and why immediately - this may even prevent the next - possibly avoidable - death.

 

I have cycled and raced all my life, and I stopped cycling with Club 100 in Cape Town due to poor discipline by some riders, over many months.

 

I really feel that generally many cyclists do not follow the law (single file, etc), and then are furious when an accident happens.

 

This does not necessarily relate to the tragic accident above, but to many incidents that I see.

 

Rest in peace.

[LeTurbo]

Poor Clinton. My thoughts are with his family. Equally though, I have to have massive sympathy with this truck driver; he's going to have to live with this - there may even be charges involved - though he seems to have been largely innocent (yes, he could have been more awake, or a more responsive and defensive driver). Anyway, a tragic thing all 'round.

[GuyP]

The truck driver's charges will relate to hit and run ... he had to be called back by the police somewhere near Delmas.