Loss

The Gainesville cycling community has lost three of its most prominent members.

Two, GCC members Margaret Raynal and Doug Hill, died while riding with a Gliders group on December 26th heading to St Augustine to participate in a cross-state ride. A driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road as he came up behind the group. Four other riders, three of them club members, were injured in the crash. An overflow assemblage attended Doug's funeral on December 30th, and cyclists from all over the state gathered for a memorial service for Margaret and Doug on January 11th.

Kermit Sigmon passed away on January 14th of liver cancer. Kermit was one of the most important activists in the formation of the bicycling facilities that we have in Gainesville today. He lead the move away from the narrow, bumpy separated paths with the dangerous intersections at roadways and driveways to the type of facility we now have on roads such as north 39th Ave and NW 43rd St. His experienced counsel was always looked forward to on his frequent visits to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Kermit for helping make Gainesville the most bicycle friendly city in the South.

President's Message

We (GCC) have received many telephone calls, and letters expressing anguish in hearing about GCC's loss of two of our members. There were calls from Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, and from various parts of Florida.

Statements such from the (Tampa Bay Freewheeler's) "Please accept our condolences with regard to the losses to the Gainesville Cycling community." The (Montgomery Bicycle Club) "I was in Florida on vacation over the holidays and saw the TV news report about the accident which killed Doug Hill and Margaret Raynal. I want to express our club's deepest sympathies for the families of these riders and for the club members who shared the roads with these individuals and the other cyclists who were injured in the accident." Minnesota "This is horrible." "We have posted information regarding the tragedy on our home page, and we would like to be kept informed. "

There were also many letters and messages via the internet expressing the same sorrow. Most just wanted to share their feelings, others communicate ideas, and information. Others just wanted to do something to make the wrong of this tragedy leave a meaning of right. To date they are still coming in. May it continue, never letting us forget what happened to two wonderful people and four others on December 26th of 1996 in the State of Florida.

When I returned to work that following Monday, a dozen or more of my coworkers stopped to tell me how sorry they were about this tragedy (these were non cyclists). They are in the medical field dealing on an everyday experience of life, death, and tragedies. They sought me out as if this tragedy had involved one of my family members. I will tell you I was very moved by their spontaneous compassion for "our cycling community". They were people who probably had not ridden a bicycle for two decades or more, yet they understood the vulnerability of all bicycle riders. They knew sometimes the law abiding cyclist depend many times on the motorist to take heed, to just simply share the road. They expressed that cyclist as the motorist have every right to travel the roads of Florida. They did not understand why Mr. Lassiter did not do the same.

I know many are concerned with the on going investigation. As of this date 1-19-97 it is still on going. Mr. Lassiter could still face "Vehicular Homicide" and this without a positive drug test. "Could." Most have expressed that without the charge of "Vehicular homicide" the Green Cove Springs States Attorney will be sending a message to all motorists that we "are fair game."

Gainesville is a cycling community and we need now, more than ever, to work toward a better understanding between all of us, cyclists and non-cyclists. Whether we like it or not we sometimes have to share the road with people who think driving a motorized vehicle is a right. That having a license to drive is a right, and that we the cyclists have no rights and should be riding on the sidewalk.

We make the Laws and Statues, and only we can change them. Lt. Lupper was following guidelines set by you and I. And as many others I, too, assumed that if a fatality occurs that drug testing was mandatory. Maybe some statutes need to be changed. Maybe we need to become more involved in local issues, attending a few public DOT meetings. We should be fighting for every highway in the State to have either shoulders or a bike path. We should attend more public meetings, voicing our needs.

Write or talk to these people with your individual thoughts:

Patrick McGovern
Clay County Commission
P.O Box 1366
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Tim Collins
State Attorney Clay County
P.O. Box 1366 Green Cove
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Governor Lawton Chiles Office of Correspondence
www.eog.state.fl.us/cgi-win/mailform.exe

Bob Casey
casey@afn.org Telephone 334-1700

Allen Parlapiano
622 NEW 1st Street
Gainesville, Florida
# 376-6046
Mr. Parlapiano is Doug Hill's estate attorney. I found him to be very helpful in discussing the laws pertaining to bicycle vehicle, statutes. He is also a cyclist. Call or write to him.

As I have said many times on our Hunters Crossing Group Ride, GCC has given to me more than I could ever give in return, many friends, many cycling friends. 1996 has been a sad year for GCC; we will all miss them.

Kindest regards,

Linda C. McMahon

Letter to Editor

Dear GCC Members,

I'm writing to thank the many club members who have offered their loving support to me after the tragedy that took the lives of Doug Hill and Margaret Raynal. This has been an incredibly difficult time for all of us and yet many positive things have happened as a result. The outpouring of support and love that I have received, and continue to receive, from the Gainesville cycling community has been so helpful.

Doug and I frequently rode with the Gliders. Thank you all very much for your heartfelt messages. I look forward to riding with you again very soon! There are many other club members whom I hadn't yet met who have also been extremely caring. All of this brings me a great deal of comfort and inspiration as I strive each day to strengthen physically and emotionally. Thank-you all.

Gratefully Yours,

Lauri Triulzi

Injured

At press time we didn't have any new information on the condition of those injured in the Dec 26 crash. Lauri Triulzi, Jessica Green, and Eric Finnan were able to attend Doug's services, though obviously battered. Charles Hinson will be laid up for several months with his injuries.

Ode to Compassion

all have two arms, two legs, bodice, two feet and head
each its own design
but all brothers and sisters who ride
also have a THIRD EYE, compassion

IT is open when the head checks the mirror behind
IT is open when the sixth sense detects something blind
IT is open when a hand nudges you inside
IT is open when a voice calls to move up the line
we feel ITS force between us on each and every ride
we feel ITS strength when the worst happens
      and our brothers and sisters die

please keep your eyes open for our brothers and sisters
as they enjoy life's finest hours
streaming along the roads we all share
smelling the sweet, beautiful flowers

this is OUR time, sons and daughters all
I pray thee, do not take it away
remember you too have a THIRD EYE, compassion,
to keep open each day

Kelly Riedesel