Nick Died Doing What He Loved



P

Paladin

Guest
My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.

Already, the mtbr post has set what must be a record for visits, I was
interviewed on Channel 2 and turned down an on-camera Channel 7
interview, (enough's enough) they used my pictures on Channel 7
though, and tonight we did the first of many Nick Memorial Rides. We
didn't go too fast, because he never did. :) But we had about 24
show up on almost no notice. He was the lead story on 2 local
networks.

Here's the article. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=309815

Makes you think about your mortality and eternity. His best friend is
also a regular on my Barney Rides, and he found Nick just minutes
after he keeled over. Tough stuff, to be sure.

Well, it's been a hard day, dealing with a hundred emails and phone
calls, trying to comfort friends while at the same time trying to
start the grieving process myself, but the ride tonight helped.
Riding my guts out on the SS with a huge group, and shouting
"MAHALO" (Nick's favorite salutation) like a Tarzan yell as I passed
other riders, helped a little.

He was a big, happy Phillipino so full of life who saw himself as the
Amabassador to the unridden masses, volunteered for everything, did
every charity ride, taught kids to ride and rock climb, and kept us
all informed of all the many bike things going on in the area. Just
last Friday we were working together on getting camp spots for AMB-
Idaho 07.

This is too long, and most of you couldn't care less, but it helps me
to write about it.

Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.

CDB
 
Paladin wrote:
> My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.
>
> Already, the mtbr post has set what must be a record for visits, I was
> interviewed on Channel 2 and turned down an on-camera Channel 7
> interview, (enough's enough) they used my pictures on Channel 7
> though, and tonight we did the first of many Nick Memorial Rides. We
> didn't go too fast, because he never did. :) But we had about 24
> show up on almost no notice. He was the lead story on 2 local
> networks.
>
> Here's the article. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=309815
>
> Makes you think about your mortality and eternity. His best friend is
> also a regular on my Barney Rides, and he found Nick just minutes
> after he keeled over. Tough stuff, to be sure.
>
> Well, it's been a hard day, dealing with a hundred emails and phone
> calls, trying to comfort friends while at the same time trying to
> start the grieving process myself, but the ride tonight helped.
> Riding my guts out on the SS with a huge group, and shouting
> "MAHALO" (Nick's favorite salutation) like a Tarzan yell as I passed
> other riders, helped a little.
>
> He was a big, happy Phillipino so full of life who saw himself as the
> Amabassador to the unridden masses, volunteered for everything, did
> every charity ride, taught kids to ride and rock climb, and kept us
> all informed of all the many bike things going on in the area. Just
> last Friday we were working together on getting camp spots for AMB-
> Idaho 07.
>
> This is too long, and most of you couldn't care less, but it helps me
> to write about it.
>
> Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.
>
> CDB


Tough stuff, indeed, CDB. Mahalo nui for sharing it.

(And please, ASSuming Vandeboy pipes up and cross-posts his innane, hateful
drivel here, how about NO ONE ACKNOWLEDGE HIM?!? Just this once...)

R.I.P. Nick. Bill S.
 
Paladin wrote:
> Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.
>
> CDB
>


:(

Way too young! God has a better purpose for him.

Enjoy the times you had, smile at the future rides that would have been
and say a prayer for his family.

You never really think about keeling over on a ride. I'm 43 with a
pretty poor family history of heart problems. I came into this
sport/hobby almost eight years ago to get healthy. Not once do I think
about any ride being my last. That's the way I would always want it.

God speed, Nick.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
 

> My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.

-----------
The cycling curse, a heart attack. You don't know how many I've heard of
around here that have gone the same way. It's an epidemic. I accept the
risk personally, but I'm always aware that when I ride it could be my last.
Condolosences to his family and friends.
 
On Jun 19, 1:56 am, Paladin <[email protected]> wrote:
> My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.
>
> Already, the mtbr post has set what must be a record for visits, I was
> interviewed on Channel 2 and turned down an on-camera Channel 7
> interview, (enough's enough) they used my pictures on Channel 7
> though, and tonight we did the first of many Nick Memorial Rides. We
> didn't go too fast, because he never did. :) But we had about 24
> show up on almost no notice. He was the lead story on 2 local
> networks.
>
> Here's the article. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=309815
>
> Makes you think about your mortality and eternity. His best friend is
> also a regular on my Barney Rides, and he found Nick just minutes
> after he keeled over. Tough stuff, to be sure.
>
> Well, it's been a hard day, dealing with a hundred emails and phone
> calls, trying to comfort friends while at the same time trying to
> start the grieving process myself, but the ride tonight helped.
> Riding my guts out on the SS with a huge group, and shouting
> "MAHALO" (Nick's favorite salutation) like a Tarzan yell as I passed
> other riders, helped a little.
>
> He was a big, happy Phillipino so full of life who saw himself as the
> Amabassador to the unridden masses, volunteered for everything, did
> every charity ride, taught kids to ride and rock climb, and kept us
> all informed of all the many bike things going on in the area. Just
> last Friday we were working together on getting camp spots for AMB-
> Idaho 07.
>
> This is too long, and most of you couldn't care less, but it helps me
> to write about it.
>
> Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.
>
> CDB


Only the good die young.
 
On Jun 19, 1:56 am, Paladin <[email protected]> wrote:
> My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.
>
> Already, the mtbr post has set what must be a record for visits, I was
> interviewed on Channel 2 and turned down an on-camera Channel 7
> interview, (enough's enough) they used my pictures on Channel 7
> though, and tonight we did the first of many Nick Memorial Rides. We
> didn't go too fast, because he never did. :) But we had about 24
> show up on almost no notice. He was the lead story on 2 local
> networks.
>
> Here's the article. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=309815
>
> Makes you think about your mortality and eternity. His best friend is
> also a regular on my Barney Rides, and he found Nick just minutes
> after he keeled over. Tough stuff, to be sure.
>
> Well, it's been a hard day, dealing with a hundred emails and phone
> calls, trying to comfort friends while at the same time trying to
> start the grieving process myself, but the ride tonight helped.
> Riding my guts out on the SS with a huge group, and shouting
> "MAHALO" (Nick's favorite salutation) like a Tarzan yell as I passed
> other riders, helped a little.
>
> He was a big, happy Phillipino so full of life who saw himself as the
> Amabassador to the unridden masses, volunteered for everything, did
> every charity ride, taught kids to ride and rock climb, and kept us
> all informed of all the many bike things going on in the area. Just
> last Friday we were working together on getting camp spots for AMB-
> Idaho 07.
>
> This is too long, and most of you couldn't care less, but it helps me
> to write about it.
>
> Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.
>
> CDB


My condolences. There will be a glass in the air on the east coast
for Nick tonight. He sounds like a great guy, I've met a few similar
to your description and we all need more people cut from that cloth.
Ride, write, reminisce and shout - anything to move forward while
honoring a great man passed.

There's a phrase someone said to me years ago, and it's helped me
through many a time like this. "Don't frown because it's over, smile
because it happened".

Dan
 
Was he wearing a helmet?

On Jun 19, 9:02 am, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Jun 19, 1:56 am, Paladin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> > mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> > ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> > mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> > was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.

>
> > Already, the mtbr post has set what must be a record for visits, I was
> > interviewed on Channel 2 and turned down an on-camera Channel 7
> > interview, (enough's enough) they used my pictures on Channel 7
> > though, and tonight we did the first of many Nick Memorial Rides. We
> > didn't go too fast, because he never did. :) But we had about 24
> > show up on almost no notice. He was the lead story on 2 local
> > networks.

>
> > Here's the article. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=309815

>
> > Makes you think about your mortality and eternity. His best friend is
> > also a regular on my Barney Rides, and he found Nick just minutes
> > after he keeled over. Tough stuff, to be sure.

>
> > Well, it's been a hard day, dealing with a hundred emails and phone
> > calls, trying to comfort friends while at the same time trying to
> > start the grieving process myself, but the ride tonight helped.
> > Riding my guts out on the SS with a huge group, and shouting
> > "MAHALO" (Nick's favorite salutation) like a Tarzan yell as I passed
> > other riders, helped a little.

>
> > He was a big, happy Phillipino so full of life who saw himself as the
> > Amabassador to the unridden masses, volunteered for everything, did
> > every charity ride, taught kids to ride and rock climb, and kept us
> > all informed of all the many bike things going on in the area. Just
> > last Friday we were working together on getting camp spots for AMB-
> > Idaho 07.

>
> > This is too long, and most of you couldn't care less, but it helps me
> > to write about it.

>
> > Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.

>
> > CDB

>
> My condolences. There will be a glass in the air on the east coast
> for Nick tonight. He sounds like a great guy, I've met a few similar
> to your description and we all need more people cut from that cloth.
> Ride, write, reminisce and shout - anything to move forward while
> honoring a great man passed.
>
> There's a phrase someone said to me years ago, and it's helped me
> through many a time like this. "Don't frown because it's over, smile
> because it happened".
>
> Dan- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
 
Very sad and my condolences to everyone who knew this awesome man.
 
[email protected] wrote:
> Was he wearing a helmet?
>


What the hell difference would have that have made?

I'll be lifting a glass on the east coast of Canada tonight for you Nick.

Jason
 
Paladin wrote:
> My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.
>

<snip>
>
> Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.
>
> CDB
>


Aw man. So sorry to hear that. I also recently lost a friend, and didn't
post it here because I just wasn't ready. But since you've opened the
door, here's another great one lost:
<http://www.crestedbuttenews.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/news02.txt>

It sounds like your friend was another great guy who will be truly missed.

More reasons to enjoy every day to it's fullest, like these guys did.

Matt
 
[email protected] wrote:
> Helmets save lives. Every cyclist should wear one
>

You obviously missed this part in the OP: It was likely a sudden heart
attack or aneurism
 
On Jun 19, 9:02 am, MattB <[email protected]> wrote:
> Paladin wrote:
> > My friend and a really fun guy who introduced a lot of folks to
> > mtnbiking and rock climbing died Saturday suddenly while on a 24mi
> > ride. It was likely a sudden heart attack or aneurism. This won't
> > mean much to you guys, but he was only 34, head of a couple groups,
> > was loved by hundreds and will be missed by all.

>
> <snip>
>
> > Raise a glass, shed a tear, for one of our own has fallen.

>
> > CDB

>
> Aw man. So sorry to hear that. I also recently lost a friend, and didn't
> post it here because I just wasn't ready. But since you've opened the
> door, here's another great one lost:
> <http://www.crestedbuttenews.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/news02.txt>
>
> It sounds like your friend was another great guy who will be truly missed.
>
> More reasons to enjoy every day to it's fullest, like these guys did.
>
> Matt



Yeah, it's hard. I've been busy being the default point man (how'd I
get signed up for this?) for the media and out of town friends, and
that helps to be busy. last night's 1st of many Memorial Ride helped
a lot too. I'm running rides tonight and thurs, and we're doing a
long Hawaiian shirt ride & bbq this Sunday. It brings people
together, and we got to laugh a little bit. One of his close friends
said he's got dibs on Nick's Yeti, but I reminded him it obviously
wasn't a very fast bike, and didn't climb all that well, etc, etc.

CDB
 
Jason wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:


>> Helmets save lives. Every cyclist should wear one
>>

> You obviously missed this part in the OP: It was likely a sudden heart
> attack or aneurism


Little Jim Buttpacker is a top-posting moron. Don't waste your keyboard
clicks.
 
On Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:35:52 GMT, Ride-A-Lot wrote:

> You never really think about keeling over on a ride.


Anyone in their mid-30s wouldn't, and probably shouldn't. As young as this
guy was, it was probably just bad genes. I think about it quite a bit.

My condolences, Chris. Not a bad way to go, but way too young.

--
-BB-
To e-mail me, unmunge my address
 
Enjoy every day as if it's your last.

Sorry to hear about your friend, Chris.

JD
 
On Jun 19, 5:08 pm, JD <[email protected]> wrote:
> Enjoy every day as if it's your last.
>
> Sorry to hear about your friend, Chris.
>
> JD



Thanks, and I'm sure he's up their laughing. The media's making him
out to be a saint, a hero and a super athlete. I told Channel 7 he was
in good shape (well, for a big happy Island guy, he was) and they
reported very seriously, "Nick was the most popular mountainbiker in
the State, in peak physical condition." A bunch of us had a good
laugh over that. He was proud of his back of the pack fitness, he'd
joke about himself all the time, and the fact that as a jolly, heavy
set guy, he was so non-intimidating, he got lots of heavy, self-
concious and non-athletic people into mountainbiking. Quite a guy

CDB
 
On Jun 19, 1:32 pm, BB <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:35:52 GMT, Ride-A-Lot wrote:
> > You never really think about keeling over on a ride.

>
> Anyone in their mid-30s wouldn't, and probably shouldn't. As young as this
> guy was, it was probably just bad genes. I think about it quite a bit.
>
> My condolences, Chris. Not a bad way to go, but way too young.
>
> --
> -BB-
> To e-mail me, unmunge my address



You hit the nail on the head Blaine. I eat right, am very active in
pretty good shape, do the right things, you know berries, lycopene,
almonds, red wine, etc., and my numbers still suck. Runs in the
family and can't beat them jeans.

CDB

CDB
 
Per Ride-A-Lot <mitchell@[nospam]schnauzers.ws>:
>You never really think about keeling over on a ride.


I *think* it was last summer.

Hot day, somewhere around Valley Greene; they found the remains
of some guy just laying on the ground - still straddling his
bike.
--
PeteCresswell
 
Paladin wrote:
> On Jun 19, 5:08 pm, JD <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Enjoy every day as if it's your last.
>>
>> Sorry to hear about your friend, Chris.
>>
>> JD

>
>
> Thanks, and I'm sure he's up their laughing. The media's making him
> out to be a saint, a hero and a super athlete. I told Channel 7 he was
> in good shape (well, for a big happy Island guy, he was) and they
> reported very seriously, "Nick was the most popular mountainbiker in
> the State, in peak physical condition." A bunch of us had a good
> laugh over that. He was proud of his back of the pack fitness, he'd
> joke about himself all the time, and the fact that as a jolly, heavy
> set guy, he was so non-intimidating, he got lots of heavy, self-
> concious and non-athletic people into mountainbiking. Quite a guy



Sorry for your loss. Clearly he bettered the lives of those around him.
A legacy friends and family can be proud of.


Shawn