I was sad to hear of the tragic deaths of two to the world’s most recognised and beloved bike superstars this week – Kelly McGarry (NZ father of freestyle mountain biking) and BMX hotshot Dave Mirra. Having ridden just a month ago on tracks created by Kelly, who died while mountain biking and knowing that Dave leaves behind a wife and two daughters after committing suicide (self-inflicted gunshot) only magnifies the vacuum and impact they leave behind.
The community outpouring for both has been substantial, touching and intensely personal. Both were exceptional on the bike – yet were equally well-known off the bike for being just decent, warm and generous people. In this way, they contributed more than just skills and amazing feats – they raised the standard of a character of common decency, compassion and courage – and all with a healthy lashing of cheeky bugger of course!
These men contributed so much to promoting and developing their sports- both on and off the bike. One such example comes from Wypler (Feb 1st 7.20pm) on the Pinkbike Kelly tribute page who reflects that: Kelly really had the biggest heart, he never let his fame and status in the mountain bike world get to his head. In November 2015 we were riding in Queenstown at Wynyard – a 12-year-old German girl was riding through the park trying some jumps and slipped off the trail on some loose gravel. She was all banged up, bleeding, concussion, etc…Kelly picked her up, carried her out of the park, then drove her to the hospital and waited in the emergency room with her until her parents arrived. Absolute class act.
Both men were awe-inspiring: in their passion and promotion of riding; their amazing feats on bicycles; their professionalism; modesty; sense of adventure and genuine friendliness when interacting with the wider community. Both deaths are tragic and unexpected, yet their legacy will continue to remind us of how inspirational, transformational and significant the love of bikes can be.
It seemed fitting that I watched two documentaries today on two more champion cyclists: Chris Froome and Cadel Evans. Chris Froome’s unassuming beginnings in Kenya and Cadel’s youthful near death horse experience perfectly illustrate that your background and history does not define who you are, or if you become a champion. It is created in every decision you make, in the hard work and love that you give and every ride you undertake is an expression of what kind of person you are. Each of these four men have made it to the top of their cycling codes. They each serve as a reminder that every cycling champion is still just a person – and that each of us has a story, a history, difficulties, people who support us, shitty days on the bike and then exhilarating days. Yet all of us love to ride and every day we ride makes it all worth it. No-one ever truly knows what goes on in your head – but riding often makes life that much easier.
What a blessing having a bike can be and how precious life is.
Ultimately, those who ride bikes know the feeling of freedom, adventure, fun and happiness that can only come from time on a bike – so no matter if you are a world champion, a workday commuter, a weekend warrior or a competitive road racer – the message is still the same:
Ride, ride, ride while you can.