Black Armband Saturday: #108

I am sorry for any inconvenience, but Blogger has been down for a couple of days.

Today it Black Armband Saturday in honor of Wouter Weylandt (#108), the Giro rider who died in a violent crash during a descent on Stage 3. It is also in honor of all the nameless and numberless others who have lost their lives cycling the world's roadways.

Wouter Weylandt Links:

• Photo of Giro Tribute to Weylandt.
• Foundation to support Weylandt's girlfriend who is pregnant with his child.
• How dangerous is cycling? Some perspectives.
• VeloNews Editorial: A Death in the Family.

From the FB Group:

As cyclists we wear different jerseys, ride with different teams,groups, shops or clubs however one thing doesn't change - we are a community who love and share the same passion. This Saturday, no matter where you are or who you ride with why not wear a black armband as a sign of your support and a showing of our strength and unity as a cycling community who together mourn the tragic passing of Wouter Weylandt of the Leopard Trek team and local Australian youngster, Shamus Liptrot both talented cyclists no longer with us. May they rest in peace.

Whilst the passing of Wouter and Shamus has lead to this event being created let's also use this day to remember those that have lost their lives or been injured through racing/training accidents in the past.

Remember you don't have to be on the bike on Saturday to show your support - you can wear the black armband wherever you will be.

Death Links For May:

• Cyclist dies in Anchorage.
• Abu Dhabi: Where They Hunt Cyclists For Sport.
• Father and son killed by driver high on "bath salts".
• Cyclist killed by garbage truck.
• Oak Park Memorial Ride for all those killed on two wheels.

Ride Safe!

Tragedy On The Giro: Wouter Weylandt (1984-2011)

Wouter Weylandt

1984-2011

I was watching as tragedy unfolded at the Giro yesterday and went to bed hoping everything would turn out ok. Sadly it did not. On the descent off the Passo del Bocco, the Belgian rider for Leopard TREK apparently clipped a pedal going into a corner as he tried to make up ground on the pack.

The televised images of a rider face down on the tarmac was chilling and a sobering reminder of how dangerous this sport can be... and how fragile we are as riders.

Ride Safe!

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"I am unbearably saddened by the loss of Wouter today. As many know, he was my friend, training partner, and in many ways, another brother to me. His death marks and irreparable change in my life but more importantly, in the lives of his family and most loved.

"Wouter was one of the kindest, funniest, and most admirable people I have ever had the opportunity to know and his death is a tragedy to his family, his friends, and to the sport as a whole.

"I can only convey my deepest of sympathies to everyone who cared about him as deeply as I did, especially his family, his friends, his team and his fans – we celebrate his life and morn his death in equal measure.

"Wouter was and is the soul of this sport we all love – an athlete who sacrificed himself for the better of many and a champion who celebrated each glory as a victory for his family, his team, and his friends and fans.

"I will remember him always, and will always strive to do him proud, as he has always done for the sport and people he loves."--Tyler Ferrar (Cycling News)