Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
WHOOPS! "Bainbridge mountain bike coach dies"
6 views
Skip to first unread message
Mike Vandeman
Feb 2, 2015, 8:44:00 PM2/2/15
to
If the coaches can't even make the "sport" safe, why are we initiating children into this insane activity??? Children are too young to make a sound decision (not that the adult mountain bikers are any better)....
Mike
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/bainbridge-mountain-bike-coach-dies_82678464
Bainbridge mountain bike coach dies
Tristan Baurick
2:48 PM, Feb 2, 2015
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - Bainbridge mountain bike coach Jay Abbott died on Thursday, four days after suffering crippling injuries during a training ride in Bainbridge's Grand Forest Park.
A statement released by his wife, Darlene Kordonowy, noted that Abbott "peacefully departed this world for uncharted trails" at dusk while in the company of friends and family.
Abbott was the founder and head coach of the Gear Grinders middle school mountain bike team.
He fell during training ride with members of his team on Sunday. He appeared to have landed on his head or neck, causing severe damage to his spinal cord and cervical nerves. He appeared paralyzed in his arms and legs and remained unconscious and required a ventilator to breathe. Doctors at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle later determined that he had suffered brain damage and would not recover to move, swallow or breath on his own.
Abbott died surrounded by mementos from a life spent enjoying the outdoors.
"His 'best oldest' red jacket, with dog biscuits and riding glasses in the pocket, was tucked around him for the journey," Kordonowy's statement read.
Abbott, a longtime Bainbridge resident, recently retired after a career with the Boeing company. He coached a youth sailing team and remained an avid skier and cyclist, even working as a part-time bike mechanic at a Bainbridge bike shop.
The Gear Grinders club has pledged to keep his 22-member team going.
In a post on an online memorial page, one of the young cyclists he coached promised to "keep biking, with all the enthusiasm and fun I can."
"No one will ever replace Jay's amazing support on the team," she wrote. "But we will keep on rolling."
Abbott's family plans to announce a celebration of Abbott's life soon. Visit caringbridge.org/visit/jayabbott for more information.
Mike
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/bainbridge-mountain-bike-coach-dies_82678464
Bainbridge mountain bike coach dies
Tristan Baurick
2:48 PM, Feb 2, 2015
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - Bainbridge mountain bike coach Jay Abbott died on Thursday, four days after suffering crippling injuries during a training ride in Bainbridge's Grand Forest Park.
A statement released by his wife, Darlene Kordonowy, noted that Abbott "peacefully departed this world for uncharted trails" at dusk while in the company of friends and family.
Abbott was the founder and head coach of the Gear Grinders middle school mountain bike team.
He fell during training ride with members of his team on Sunday. He appeared to have landed on his head or neck, causing severe damage to his spinal cord and cervical nerves. He appeared paralyzed in his arms and legs and remained unconscious and required a ventilator to breathe. Doctors at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle later determined that he had suffered brain damage and would not recover to move, swallow or breath on his own.
Abbott died surrounded by mementos from a life spent enjoying the outdoors.
"His 'best oldest' red jacket, with dog biscuits and riding glasses in the pocket, was tucked around him for the journey," Kordonowy's statement read.
Abbott, a longtime Bainbridge resident, recently retired after a career with the Boeing company. He coached a youth sailing team and remained an avid skier and cyclist, even working as a part-time bike mechanic at a Bainbridge bike shop.
The Gear Grinders club has pledged to keep his 22-member team going.
In a post on an online memorial page, one of the young cyclists he coached promised to "keep biking, with all the enthusiasm and fun I can."
"No one will ever replace Jay's amazing support on the team," she wrote. "But we will keep on rolling."
Abbott's family plans to announce a celebration of Abbott's life soon. Visit caringbridge.org/visit/jayabbott for more information.
0 new messages