I am really sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathies.

--- In diabloareamtb@yahoogroups.com, andrew sachtschale
<andrewsacht@...> wrote:
>
> I would love to go; I'm not sure which of my parents will be
available to take me. I asked my Dad, and he said he doesn't see why
I should not be able to go.
>
> Some bad news:
> My uncle Paul had a fatal bike crash last Thursday(I'm not sure, it
seems like a long time ago). He was 57, and had been very active in
skiing, soccer, and most of all: road biking. He once got 5th in the
state of Illinois. He lived a great life, with plenty of friends; and
I am glad for that. I will miss him very much.
>
> So far as we know, he wasn't hit by anything moving; he was on a
ride, on his own, and crashed. He completely severed his spinal cord
in his neck. His lungs stopped working, and his heart was restarted
when they found him, but they later discovered that he was brain dead
from the temporary lack of oxygen. They took him off of life support;
there was nothing that could be done for him.
>
> When I think about it, that is probably one of the best ways you
could die. It is quick, and painless. He died while he was doing
something he loved. He was a careful rider, and this happened. The
riding we do is a lot of fun, but there is always the danger of
injuring, or killing yourself.
>
> I don't think anything could scare me out of riding though.
>
> Have fun, and be careful!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> --- On Fri, 7/11/08, Lesley Jensen <lesjens1@...> wrote:
>
> > From: Lesley Jensen <lesjens1@...>
> > Subject: Re: [diabloareamtb] EBRPD to Meet with Local Cyclists
Tue. July 29th, 7-9PM
> > To: diabloareamtb@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Friday, July 11, 2008, 8:47 AM
> > Team,
> > I think this would be a worthy cause for our team to attend
> > and speak at. Without open trails our team would have
> > nowhere to train for the competitive Mtn Bike Races. Can
> > we set up a carpool to attend this event? Please post if
> > you would be interested in attending, and we can figure it
> > out....Lesley
> >
> > --- On Thu, 7/10/08, Dan <dan@...> wrote:
> >
> > From: Dan <dan@...>
> > Subject: [diabloareamtb] EBRPD to Meet with Local Cyclists
> > Tue. July 29th, 7-9PM
> > To: diabloareamtb@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 1:31 PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dear Friends,
> >
> > EBRPD has invited the mountain biking community to discuss
> > issues of mutual interest on the evening of July 29th from
> > 7 to 9 PM at the Trudeau Center in Oakland. As you may have
> > heard, the EBRPD Board of Directors is considering placing a
> > new bond measure on the ballot in 2008 that would extend
> > Measure AA by providing new funding for Regional Park land
> > acquisition, new park and trail development, habitat
> > restoration and rehabilitation of aging park facilities.
> > BTCEB has been a strong supporter of increased land
> > acquisition and preservation over our 20+ year history.
> > However, the Districts refusal to engage in a meaningful
> > discussion with cyclists has become untenable when the
> > needs of cyclists continue to go unmet, or worse, are
> > completely ignored.
> >
> > Unfortunately during the last 20 years, there has not been
> > any significant enhancement in EBRPD for off-road cyclists.
> > Most cyclists want the same experience as other park users,
> > a connection with nature, an escape from the urban
> > environment, fun, exercise, and a sense of belonging.
> >
> > Like most trail users cyclists prefer narrow trails.
> > Whether one is hiking, running or riding a bike, users want
> > to experience a close connection to nature, to be immersed
> > in the natural world on narrow intimate trails. The
> > experience just isn't the same on a wide fire road.
> > While roads usually push straight through or over the
> > hills, singletrack trails tend to wind around obstacles and
> > blend into the surrounding environment. Many singletrack
> > enthusiasts also seek a high degree of challenge that can
> > not be found on ranch roads. Intermediate and advanced
> > riders need more length and difficult trails to keep them
> > interested. New types of riding such as free riding,
> > downhilling and mountain unicyclists need different types
> > of accommodation in the way trails and obstacles are built.
> >
> > Please join us July 29th to share your input with District
> > staff on how the Mt. biking experience can be enhanced
> > throughout the EBRPD.
> >
> > In the time since I originally posted this message, EBRPD
> > has also cut off mountain bikes to completing the popular
> > East Ridge/West Ridge loop during a fire fuel load
> > mitigation effort. The work is being done on the East
> > Ridge "trail" and while other user groups can
> > bypass the segment of closed trails, mountain bikes are
> > simply just not allowed.
> >
> > Please take this survey to help us better represent your
> > voice: http://app.icontact .com/icp/ sub/survey/ start?sid=
> > 1225&cid=212590.
> >
> > We need to have a collective bargaining voice when it comes
> > to what we want to see come from the money we as taxpayers
> > will have to pay if the Measure AA Extension passes. Now
> > is the time to tell the District what services we as
> > mountain bikers want in our parks.
> >
> > If you are not able to attend the meeting but have a
> > request, please send any requests either directly to your
> > Ward Directors or to me - dan@...
> >
> > Regards!
> > Dan
>