Tough news out of the Bay Area, where veteran cyclist Tom Milton, inventor of the Selle An-Atomica saddle, keeled over and died on the Devil Mountain Double Century bike ride. I’ve done Mt. Hamilton many times and it’s no picnic even when you’re in top shape, which this early in the season no one is. But I’ll say what I always say in reporting these tragedies: It’s a blessing to die while doing something you love.
A dramatic first-hand report from BikeRideStories blog:
Just around the next bend, I see two cyclists squatting on the side of the road, their bikes on the ground. As I approach them, I see another bike near theirs and they are ministering to a fallen rider. As I get closer, I see it’s Tom. He is lying on his back, not moving. OH SHIT! Jeff and I get off our bikes and walk over. The two guys (Steve and Marco) are attempting to do CPR, but none of the four of really knows what to do. Steve is saying he feels a pulse, but it’s very, very rapid and very faint and Tom is not breathing.
Cyclelicio.us has all the links.
And what I’m really wondering right now — what happens to his company?