Death in the family

Day 4, June 25
Odessa to Spokane
75 miles

It is with tears and a heavy heart that I report that one of our little group of riders was killed today in an accident with a car. It happened on an open stretch of Washington State Highway 23 near Davenport, Washington, one of the safest-appearing sections of road we've traversed so far. The road was wide and lightly traveled. At one point I timed the interval between cars at 8 minutes. There was a wide bike lane on either side of the road. The weather was clear and hot.

Many details are not yet clear, and his name has not been released as police search for next of kin to deliver the sad news. We do know that he was struck in mid-day by a driver in her thirties who did not appear to be impaired by drugs or alcohol, police said. He was killed instantly by the impact.

I had ridden with the victim about an hour before the tragic accident, and we'd chatted about a son he was very proud of. A short time later, he was with a group of us at a water stop in a little town. When a local couple out on a walk came by, he engaged them. "Tell us about your town," he said, and we talked to the couple for pleasant several minutes until it was time to hit the road again.

Although I'd said in an earlier post there are three recumbent bikes and trikes on our cross-country ride, there were actually four. The victim was riding a Ryan Vanguard, one of the earliest commercial recumbent bikes available. It's an extremely long bike with the handlebar mounted under the seat. A rod connects the handlebar to the fork so the bike can be steered. He had purchased it directly from Dick Ryan, the builder, at least 15 years ago, he told me. Ryan later sold the company, and very few Vanguards are seen these days.

At a group meeting tonight, several riders wept as they told stories of our new friend, now gone forever. A sheriff's department chaplain brought some details of the accident and advice about how we can cope. The ride will go on. My wonderfully sensible wife told me on the phone that that some activities we really want to do merit taking clear risks. Otherwise, she said, "life's not worth living."

Comments

[Jim Rudnicki]

Bill,
Words fail me upon reading this post. Myh condolences and heartfelt support as the trek continues.

[Charles Mitchelmore]

What heart-breaking news, Bill. Ann's right, of course, but that doesn't make it any easier. Our thoughts and wishes are with you in a now even more difficult task.

Love,

Chuck and Laurana

[jr]

My most sincere condolences to the family of that rider. I recently lost my father but we had a few weeks warning before he went, I imagine it would be even harder not having had a warning.

It's very true that we regret the things we didn't do in life more than the things we did. Even if he didn't make it to the finish, I think it should bring some comfort that he was living his dream.

If the family allows it, please share any info regarding the rider when appropriate. We're a dedicated community, and I'd think a few of us would like to express our condolences...

[kurt ribak]

The victim, Phil B. Smith, was a much beloved figure on the WELL, one of the earliest (and still extant) online communities. He will be sorely missed.

He was known as a very entertaining guy, a very nice guy, and a devoted father.

[Scott Mauvais]

I only met him f2f twice, maybe three times but I always enjoyed reading his words. I learned so many things about topics that I didn't even know I was interested in.

Such a loss...

Safe passage, pbs.

[Ron Blair]

My sincere condolences to the family of the lost rider and to you and your co-riders. I read your blog and enjoy it. My you all continue to the end safely.

rjb

[Rich Thomas]

Jeez Bill, what a disaster! Please show some Day-Glo, fore and aft. Rich

[Mark Ballock]

Bill;

I'm very sorry to hear about the death of your fellow rider on this trip. Please give his family my condolences. It brings home how vulnerable riders are on the highways. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your group as you continue your journey.

Ride Long and Ride Safe

Mark Ballock

[Jim]

A couple of days ago on my tour an oncoming car four lanes away targeted me, swerving across the wide road and turning to keep pointed at me as I undertook evasive maneuvers. As long as the legal system fosters the perception that targeting bicyclists is without consequences such needless tragedies will continue unabated.

[Linda Martinez]

Condolences to Phil's family and to all of you who shared his sense of excitement and adventure on this trip. We all know we're vulnerable on our bikes so we have to be careful but still, there is no better way to experience our nation than from the seat of your bike. Take care, everyone, and savor the moment

[John From North Carolina]

Bill, I am late in picking up on your blog only to find the bad news as the first posting I read. I am terrible sorry for him, his family and the extended family that your band has become in a short time. At the same time, I commend all of you for continung to "think young" as you progress between the eternities that we call life. Journey on.

[Kim]

Bill--
I, too, tuned in late to this terrible piece of news. I'm the more distressed to see that it's four days since your last entry. Give us a word so we can know you're okay.
Kim

[maryJane Bullen]

Oh, Bill
I am sorry.
May all of you use the weight on your hearts to add energy to your cross-country ride for yourselves and Phil.
Thank you for your comments about Phil - they painted a picture for me.

Please blog us again soon,
MaryJane

[Ryck]

Bill:

I am one of Phil's many friends, going back to high school at Tabor Academy. I am grateful for your report and utterly saddened by his loss.

Another mutual friend, Tom Gelsthorpe, sent a remembrance email to you and then fowarded it to Phil's pals. I am taking the liberty of posting it below because it so beautifully expresses our collective feelings about Phil. He will be sorely missed.

-- Ryck Lent

From Tom Gelsthorpe, Cataumet, MA:

Thank you for the report. I hope it doesn't cast a dark shadow on the rest of the trip. I know Phil would never want to cast a dark shadow on anyone's adventures, not even inadvertantly.

I went to prep school with Phil at Tabor Academy back in the 1960's. Then as now, Phil was known for his joviality, unflappability and good humor in all situations. Our signal adventure together was a voyage on the school's 92' schooner Tabor Boy, from Charleston, S.C. to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to Nassau, Bahamas, back to Charleston, then north to New Bedford, MA over a three week period in the spring of 1967. Phil and I were jolly shipmates, attempting our own junior varsity version of the "Sloop John B meets Spring Break."

Phil's greatest claim to fame in my life was reuniting several of us schoolmates after many, many years of lost contact. Prep school was not that great a time for some of us, and anyway life intervenes. Then Phil reunited with a classmate who had been a close friend of mine all along, and brought several others together as well. For the last five years or so, we've all stayed in touch, have revived our nautical adventures together and followed the scholastic achievements of Phil's son Victor, among other things. It was great to be Phil's jolly mate once again after all those years.

Whenever we'd get together and Phil's presence was missing, somebody called him at his cell phone. It was no small amusement that his whereabouts was often a surprise and that he'd usually be engrossed in an adventure as interesting as any of ours. In a way, it's not a surprise that Phil died pursuing one of his many enthusiams. When we heard of Phil's untimely death, first among our thoughts was how grateful we are that Phil got us back together again. He was that kind of soul.

As I go on in life, I feel more every day that enthusiasm is the most endearing of all human qualities, and that sharing your enthusiasm with friends is life's most buoyant force. I'm glad you had a chance to get to know Phil -- not well enough of course, but who ever could? Life is too short, as this tragic accident shows us all too well.

-- Tom G.

[flash gordon md]

i just read this entry again, after i got a pointer to the "ballad of phil smith" on the well. i still have tears in my eyes.

i counted phil as one of my best friends. i knew him for perhaps 20 years, since he first started on the well back in 1986 or so. he was an early participant in the motorcycling conference i'd started on the well. he asked if he could borrow my bike, which i loaned him. we've been friends since.

reading the above accounts by folks who knew him as a youngster reinforced my feelings of what an exceptional guy he was.

he'll be missed by many, many people.