and:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2014/06/27/teen-bicyclist-killed/11570837/
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From Desmoines Register…
On Thursday Jenks was riding his bicycle alongside professional cyclists on a rural road north of Cambridge to train for next month’s USA Triathlon Flatland Youth and Junior Elite Cup in West Des Moines.
Jenks, and the seven other cyclists were inches apart from one another when, according to the Story County sheriff’s office, he accidentally touched his front wheel to the rear wheel of the cyclist in front of him.
After that, he either overcorrected or hit the other cyclist’s wheel again, deputies said, before his bike moved in front of a sport utility vehicle that had been passing the group in a no-passing zone, authorities said.
He was struck.
“You’re 3 inches from someone,” said Olivia Jenks, Timothy’s twin sister. “You’re 3 inches from crashing.”
The cyclists, bystanders and medics attempted in vain to revive Timothy. The accident is still under investigation. No criminal charges or traffic citations were issued immediately.
“You’re 3 feet from crushing someone… You’re 3 feet from killing someone with your car.”
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Tim was a wonderful kid, super talented, and was a joy to be around. His Dad William is a great guy who has supported all 3 of his children in Triathlon. This is a tragedy for all those involved. Please send your thoughts and prayers to his family, then go give the ones you love some extra time, you just never know.
Yes but, according to the reports, the boy swerved in front of her. That’s not distracted driving, that’s cyclist error. Does anyone else have any qualms about youngish kids riding in close packs on open roads?
There is a lot of speculation out there on this accident. How about you let them have his wake before we start a “should kids ride in packs” thread. This was a group of tallented kids and adults who were training on a rural road. You have those in Florida right??? And yes, that was not pink! a 13 year old boy is dead…give it a little time.
From the newspaper article:
"William Jenks said his son and the professionals who were riding southeast of Ames on Thursday knew what they were doing.
“You need to understand, it wasn’t just a kid out on a ride, just randomly out on some county road. This was an organized ride. With a group of people who specifically train teenagers how to ride competitively,” Jenks said. "
Um, as a parent of two talented teen athletes, I am curious what other parents think about the issue. It’s also something that is close to all of our hearts as triathletes. I’m not criticizing or attacking the boy, and very cognizant of what a tragedy this was…
Oh wow…what a tragedy to all involved. As a father of 2 boys I couldn’t imagine a day without my kiddos around. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Yes but, according to the reports, the boy swerved in front of her. That’s not distracted driving, that’s cyclist error. Does anyone else have any qualms about youngish kids riding in close packs on open roads?
I have qualms about discussing this tragedy in here with complete strangers, who are not even qualified to give advice about pissing in pools or how many carbs to consume for IM, let alone trying to quantify and rationalize a senseless death.
Um, as a parent of two talented teen athletes, I am curious what other parents think about the issue. It’s also something that is close to all of our hearts as triathletes. I’m not criticizing or attacking the boy, and very cognizant of what a tragedy this was…
During the few times I had my teenage son with me on open road rides, I always had a tinge of guilt knowing the potential risks with traffic, etc. Of course, at the time, I was hoping he might become more enthusiastic about road riding and the develop the skills of the peloton. But, as time went on, his interest waned, and he much preferred to be on his mtb (if any bike at all). Oh well…I did not protest (too much). And admittedly, as a parent, I am not terribly disappointed in his lack of desire to road ride.
I will respond to this by saying that I would not allow my kid to ride the road. Plenty of trails to ride on IMO.
That being said, I am familiar with the groups that this kid trains with and the kids he rides with an I have personally been on rides with them. They are very experienced cyclists for their age and very used to riding in packs. I would go so far to say that thier handling skills are better than the average older triathlete. Most of these kids race draft legal and are very adept at pacelines. This is a sad accident for both the family and driver. I can’t even imagine.
Since both were going the same direction, and you have first hand knowledge…
How fast is the speed limit on that section, and what is the normal speed of the pack/pace line for that section?
I’m curious what the approximate delta V would be at impact.
From an article, the speed limit was 55 mph. The SUV driver said she slowed down to pass and the bicyclist fell down in front of her and she tried to swerve towards the ditch but was too late.
I will respond to this by saying that I would not allow my kid to ride the road. Plenty of trails to ride on IMO.
That being said, I am familiar with the groups that this kid trains with and the kids he rides with an I have personally been on rides with them. They are very experienced cyclists for their age and very used to riding in packs. I would go so far to say that thier handling skills are better than the average older triathlete. Most of these kids race draft legal and are very adept at pacelines. This is a sad accident for both the family and driver. I can’t even imagine.
Good handling skills or not, riding on the road is risky. Mistakes can happen even among the most experienced.
When I drive and see a group of cyclists that I need to pass, I always give them a lot of room. I would never try to squeeze by them in a no pass lane. As cyclists however, we have no control over the behavior of drivers.
Um, as a parent of two talented teen athletes, I am curious what other parents think about the issue. It’s also something that is close to all of our hearts as triathletes. I’m not criticizing or attacking the boy, and very cognizant of what a tragedy this was…
Not a parent. As a teenage athlete, I’m saddened that this has happened. But, I know I have strong feelings riding on some of the bike paths we have here(in wa state). Even with a speed limit of 15mph, the risk of crashing is astronomically higher on the trail than on the road. All if the crashes I’ve been in or witnessed, were caused by pedestrians. I agree that the consequences of crashing on the road are typically worse, but I do 99% of my rides on public roads.
And in the article it says he was riding with pro athletes, so I assume this youth was talented. I believe he was right in riding on the road.
Just my thoughts. Prayers to the family.
That’s a scary incident, as our youth and juniors are training for Flatlands here in North Carolina. I think your concerns are pretty valid as a parent, but I’m also going to say, I think you either accept the risk or you worry yourself to the point of not letting your kids do it? It’s on my mind every single time we go out and ride (even with adults and supervision), because of course as one of my parents told me “these are still just 12,13,14 year old kids”. I have 2 practices a week of riding out on the roads (we ride on a pretty desolate section of roads in our area).
I think communication is something you have to have from the coaching team to the parents. If this is something you as a parent simply cant get over, then bring that up to the coach that works with your kids. MTBing can do great things for bike handling skills, but it cant replace riding on the road at 22mph in a tightly packed paceline (which is what you see at our junior elite itu races now).
This is a terrible tragedy and it leaves me with a wake up call, to make sure I and our athletes do everything possible to remain safe, and come back (not saying they weren’t). It sucks that this has happened, and I hope we can do a memorial of some nature in 2 weeks while at the race.
Plenty of trails to ride on IMO.
Sure there are plenty of trails to ride, but there is also as much concern riding on the trails as there are on the road. Both have it’s advantages and disadvantages. I wanted to to a MTB session to have the kids have a “fun” session. After a few hard falls and slips on the “trails”, I regretted us being out there. Was glad we all made it with no significant damage. Likely a deep thigh bruise being the worse injury to one of my juniors today.
About 10 mins before coming to ST I posted this today from about our juniors :
Brooks Doughtie þ@brooksdoughtie 24m
I’ll wear the idiot coaching hat today.no serious MTBing during season again. All safe.Great track session; sketchy mtbing…sigh of relief
Um, as a parent of two talented teen athletes, I am curious what other parents think about the issue. It’s also something that is close to all of our hearts as triathletes. I’m not criticizing or attacking the boy, and very cognizant of what a tragedy this was…
While all of us parents and coaches of teens see your concerns and the angle you are coming from, let’s give the family space for now and let things settle down and not second guess what happened on the tarmac. The boy is gone, the parents are in pain.
+1000
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