Injured cyclists still in hospital An after-dark accident involving two Pinellas Trail riders Thursday leaves one in critical condition after he flipped over his handlebars.
By ROBIN STEIN
Published November 12, 2005
Two cyclists injured in an accident on the Pinellas Trail Thursday evening remained hospitalized Friday.
Terry Joyce, 69, of Dunedin was in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.
Mitch A. Scott, 47, of Palm Harbor was in stable condition at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs.
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the accident, but they believe a mechanical defect in Joyce's bike might be to blame, said Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen.
"Right now the focus of investigation is what caused the accident, and the investigation is continuing," he said.
The two men were among 16 cyclists on a weekly ride from Dunedin to Trinity in Pasco County.
McMullen said the group was traveling between 16 and 19 mph and had just passed Alderman Road when the crash occurred about 6:30 p.m., about 50 minutes past sundown.
Joyce, a competitive rider who placed ninth in the Florida Senior Games 20-kilometer race last December, was thrown over the handle bars and struck his head on the pavement.
Two people began giving artificial respiration to Joyce as they waited for medical personnel to arrive, McMullen said. Neither his family nor fellow club members could be reached Friday.
Scott, who had been trailing close behind, crashed into Joyce's bike and fell to the ground.
The Sheriff's Office impounded Joyce's bike, a Trek Madone 5.9, for further investigation. Witnesses and investigators on the scene said it appeared the fork holding the front wheel in place might have bent or snapped, McMullen said. The performance model bike retails for just under $5,000.
The evening rides are an informal gathering of members of the Suncoast Cycling Club, a local advocacy and activity group.
The club is oriented toward serious riders, said Bob Nohren, owner of the Energy Conservatory Bike Shop in Dunedin. It also sponsors large charity events, including the Diabetes Challenge Ride in Dunedin on Sunday, which is expected to draw hundreds of participants.
The riders Thursday evening were all wearing helmets and safety lights, according to McMullen, himself a member of the club.
While there is no evidence to suggest the group was exceeding the 20 mph speed limit posted at that point on the trail, trail rules prohibit race training and pace lines, in which cyclists ride very close behind one another to reduce wind resistance.
There is a county ordinance prohibiting use of the trail after sundown, McMullen said. The sun set at 5:40 p.m. Thursday
______________________________________
"Competetive sport begins where healthy sport ends"
By ROBIN STEIN
Published November 12, 2005
Two cyclists injured in an accident on the Pinellas Trail Thursday evening remained hospitalized Friday.
Terry Joyce, 69, of Dunedin was in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.
Mitch A. Scott, 47, of Palm Harbor was in stable condition at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs.
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the accident, but they believe a mechanical defect in Joyce's bike might be to blame, said Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen.
"Right now the focus of investigation is what caused the accident, and the investigation is continuing," he said.
The two men were among 16 cyclists on a weekly ride from Dunedin to Trinity in Pasco County.
McMullen said the group was traveling between 16 and 19 mph and had just passed Alderman Road when the crash occurred about 6:30 p.m., about 50 minutes past sundown.
Joyce, a competitive rider who placed ninth in the Florida Senior Games 20-kilometer race last December, was thrown over the handle bars and struck his head on the pavement.
Two people began giving artificial respiration to Joyce as they waited for medical personnel to arrive, McMullen said. Neither his family nor fellow club members could be reached Friday.
Scott, who had been trailing close behind, crashed into Joyce's bike and fell to the ground.
The Sheriff's Office impounded Joyce's bike, a Trek Madone 5.9, for further investigation. Witnesses and investigators on the scene said it appeared the fork holding the front wheel in place might have bent or snapped, McMullen said. The performance model bike retails for just under $5,000.
The evening rides are an informal gathering of members of the Suncoast Cycling Club, a local advocacy and activity group.
The club is oriented toward serious riders, said Bob Nohren, owner of the Energy Conservatory Bike Shop in Dunedin. It also sponsors large charity events, including the Diabetes Challenge Ride in Dunedin on Sunday, which is expected to draw hundreds of participants.
The riders Thursday evening were all wearing helmets and safety lights, according to McMullen, himself a member of the club.
While there is no evidence to suggest the group was exceeding the 20 mph speed limit posted at that point on the trail, trail rules prohibit race training and pace lines, in which cyclists ride very close behind one another to reduce wind resistance.
There is a county ordinance prohibiting use of the trail after sundown, McMullen said. The sun set at 5:40 p.m. Thursday
______________________________________
"Competetive sport begins where healthy sport ends"