Legendary Ultra-Endurance Cyclist Mike Hall Hit by Car

[cbrunny]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-31/cyclist-killed-on-road-south-of-canberra/8403812

A competitive cyclist from Britain has been killed after a car struck him on the Monaro Highway as he was riding towards Canberra, in the 5,500-kilometre Indian Pacific Wheel Race.

It is understood well-known endurance cyclist Mike Hall was travelling north, just inside the ACT border, when the accident happened about 6:30am — before daylight — today.

Hall was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the car was taken to hospital.

This man was legendary. In this sport, he was among the most well known, elite guys there are. And he did it with determination. He was a subject in the documentary called 'Inspried to Ride' - features coverage of the Race Across America, which he won in 2014. He was nearing the end of the India-Pacific Wheel Race (IPWR) which is a 5000+km unsupported ride across Australia. He was in 2nd place when the accident took place.

I know we don't have a lot of details on how the accident happened. Given the nature of this event and the kind of rider Hall was known to be (that is, he was well known to go on very little sleep during these events) the accident may well have been his fault. But still a sad reminder of the importance of sharing the road safely - both for cars and cyclists.

Whatever your method of travel today, please travel safely and courteously.

 

[Kaido]

Terrible

Honestly, cars are a big reason I gave up road biking. Too many near misses. People just don't pay attention. The breaking point for me was getting grazed by a lady who was on her cell phone, putting on makeup - grazed my leg & nicked my biking buddy. She drove off completely unaware of what she had done...I could see the cell phone in one hand & her makeup stick in the other. Two-ton metal vehicle with crumple zones vs. my skin, no thanks! My local riding group averages one death per year...riding is fun & yeah, the risk is rare, but still...eek. And it's not just the cars that are problems, especially at the speeds you go on fast bikes. My friend's biking buddy hit a pothole on the last leg of a bike race, hit a guardrail, and died. Freak accident. Wearing a helmet & everything.

 

[cbrunny]

one death per year??? How many people in the group?

I am doing the vast majority of my training on an indoor trainer because of how dangerous it can be out on the roads. It is risky.. and it shouldn't be.

But I'll mention again, just because I think it is important in this case in particular, it may have been Hall's "fault" - if he had fallen asleep while biking or something like that. Still need more details to confirm, but want to give the driver the benefit of the doubt, since their life changed irrevocably too.

 

[drnickriviera]

Terrible

Honestly, cars are a big reason I gave up road biking. Too many near misses. People just don't pay attention. The breaking point for me was getting grazed by a lady who was on her cell phone, putting on makeup - grazed my leg & nicked my biking buddy. She drove off completely unaware of what she had done...I could see the cell phone in one hand & her makeup stick in the other. Two-ton metal vehicle with crumple zones vs. my skin, no thanks! My local riding group averages one death per year...riding is fun & yeah, the risk is rare, but still...eek. And it's not just the cars that are problems, especially at the speeds you go on fast bikes. My friend's biking buddy hit a pothole on the last leg of a bike race, hit a guardrail, and died. Freak accident. Wearing a helmet & everything.

Do you or your group use GOOD front and rear blinking lights? By good I mean lights that can be seen 1/4 to 1/2 mile away. I bought a nice set for my brother many years ago after someone turned left in front of him. He said it's almost impossible for people not to see him now.

 

[PricklyPete]

This is why I stick to Mtn biking. Sure, Mtn biking is plenty dangerous...but with the exception of bike malfunctions, I feel like I am in more control of my destiny.

 

[cbrunny]

Do you or your group use GOOD front and rear blinking lights? By good I mean lights that can be seen 1/4 to 1/2 mile away. I bought a nice set for my brother many years ago after someone turned left in front of him. He said it's almost impossible for people not to see him now.

what kind did you get him? I need to invest in some.

 

[repoman0]

This is why I stick to Mtn biking. Sure, Mtn biking is plenty dangerous...but with the exception of bike malfunctions, I feel like I am in more control of my destiny.

I want to switch over to mountain biking. I kind of hate road biking these days ... half the time, I'm worried about what cars are doing, the other half (once I've gotten out of the city) I'm bored and exhausted.

Some guy at an intersection a tenth mile down the road from me got clobbered by an 18 wheeler a couple months ago and was totally cut in half :/

 

[rh71]

We just had a post in our local FB group that a band of cyclists around here use NO reflective vests or any other means of enhancing their visibility. They ride in a group of like 20 including on rainy/foggy nights on suburban streets and many people have posted they've almost hit them on more than one occasion. Simply not smart. They have a FB group themselves and residents made it known what they were doing was dumb and it could affect more than just themselves... namely their own family members as well as these drivers.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

We just had a post in our local FB group that a band of cyclists around here use NO reflective vests or any other means of enhancing their visibility. They ride in a group of like 20 including on rainy/foggy nights on suburban streets and many people have posted they've almost hit them on more than one occasion. Simply not smart. They have a FB group themselves and residents made it known what they were doing was dumb and it could affect more than just themselves... namely their own family members as well as these drivers.

Where I used to leave (GA) there were these packs (15+) of cyclists that would take a route, established I guess? that would cut through several intersections. They wouldn't even slow down, just blow through red lights assuming everyone else would stop, this was on a relatively major, 4 lane road that saw a lot of traffic. They'd also ride on early mornings/late nights with zero reflective/lighting gear. Couldn't even tell they were there until you were about to take one out.

 

[Kaido]

I kind of hate road biking these days ... half the time, I'm worried about what cars are doing, the other half (once I've gotten out of the city) I'm bored and exhausted.

I did NYC on my bike exactly once. One of the biggest adrenaline rushes of my life. Being a bike messenger would be super addicting! It was before I had kids though, I would never do it again now. Basically the real-life equivalent of frogger. I'm sure people get used to the flow over time, but for a one-shot trip, it was awesome.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Every ride I wonder if this will be the one.

 

[Kaido]

Where I used to leave (GA) there were these packs (15+) of cyclists that would take a route, established I guess? that would cut through several intersections. They wouldn't even slow down, just blow through red lights assuming everyone else would stop, this was on a relatively major, 4 lane road that saw a lot of traffic. They'd also ride on early mornings/late nights with zero reflective/lighting gear. Couldn't even tell they were there until you were about to take one out.

This really, really, really ticks me off. We have a couple royal jerks locally who cruise through busy intersections with stoplights, stop signs, etc. If you're gonna drive with cars, act like a car & bike responsibly, because it's the jerks like that who make all of the other bikers look bad. Most people only remember the ones who stand out, which are usually the ones making dumb decisions. Arg!

 

[Kaido]

Every ride I wonder if this will be the one.

Every time I've gotten serious about getting a motorcycle, something has come up to prevent me from doing so...usually a friend dies or a gets in a wreck. It's happened enough times that I'm taking it as a sign to stay on my indoor VR bicycle.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I did NYC on my bike exactly once. One of the biggest adrenaline rushes of my life. Being a bike messenger would be super addicting! It was before I had kids though, I would never do it again now. Basically the real-life equivalent of frogger. I'm sure people get used to the flow over time, but for a one-shot trip, it was awesome.

I'd have a real hard time not shoving a stick in their front wheel spokes.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

nef

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

This really, really, really ticks me off. We have a couple royal jerks locally who cruise through busy intersections with stoplights, stop signs, etc. If you're gonna drive with cars, act like a car & bike responsibly, because it's the jerks like that who make all of the other bikers look bad. Most people only remember the ones who stand out, which are usually the ones making dumb decisions. Arg!

Exactly, if it's a road vehicle, it's a road vehicle. No crosswalk shenanigans, no ignoring signs/lights, they should be policed, ticketed, and fined the same.

 

[cbrunny]

Every ride I wonder if this will be the one.

same. had a close call once last year. I had right of way through an intersection (two lane highway with a stop sign - i was on the road with no stop sign). woman at stop sign on opposite side of road from me didnt' see me. She started through the intersection. I yelled as loud as I could - she heard me before she saw me and near miss. Closest I've ever been. Wouldn't have been dead, but my bike would have.

 

[cbrunny]

Exactly, if it's a road vehicle, it's a road vehicle. No crosswalk shenanigans, no ignoring signs/lights, they should be policed, ticketed, and fined the same.

I knew a local guy that got ticketed for blowing a stop sign on his bike. got points too. Only time i've ever heard of that happening though.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I knew a local guy that got ticketed for blowing a stop sign on his bike. got points too. Only time i've ever heard of that happening though.

When I was in Germany, we had some military nublets that got a nasty surprise when they got arrested for riding intoxicated on bikes throughout town. Basically a DUI at that point, and treated by the military as such. They also lost their Germany drivers licenses. That made me giggle a bit.

 

[rh71]

I did NYC on my bike exactly once. One of the biggest adrenaline rushes of my life. Being a bike messenger would be super addicting! It was before I had kids though, I would never do it again now. Basically the real-life equivalent of frogger. I'm sure people get used to the flow over time, but for a one-shot trip, it was awesome.

Bunch of jerk-offs narrowly missing pedestrians. You may know where you're going and have control of stopping, but other people don't know that.

 

[PricklyPete]

I want to switch over to mountain biking. I kind of hate road biking these days ... half the time, I'm worried about what cars are doing, the other half (once I've gotten out of the city) I'm bored and exhausted.

Some guy at an intersection a tenth mile down the road from me got clobbered by an 18 wheeler a couple months ago and was totally cut in half :/

That is a big part of what I love with mountain biking...I never get bored. Always a tech feature I can try a different approach on to enhance my skill and stay engaged. Generally much punchier climbs with more thought going to lines.

 

[zinfamous]

Terrible

Honestly, cars are a big reason I gave up road biking. Too many near misses. People just don't pay attention. The breaking point for me was getting grazed by a lady who was on her cell phone, putting on makeup - grazed my leg & nicked my biking buddy. She drove off completely unaware of what she had done...I could see the cell phone in one hand & her makeup stick in the other. Two-ton metal vehicle with crumple zones vs. my skin, no thanks! My local riding group averages one death per year...riding is fun & yeah, the risk is rare, but still...eek. And it's not just the cars that are problems, especially at the speeds you go on fast bikes. My friend's biking buddy hit a pothole on the last leg of a bike race, hit a guardrail, and died. Freak accident. Wearing a helmet & everything.

wat? I guess if your local riding group is something like 1000 or more people, I would call that rare, maybe; but dang, man. 1 death per year in most groups is not exactly what I would call rare.

 

[foghorn67]

We just had a post in our local FB group that a band of cyclists around here use NO reflective vests or any other means of enhancing their visibility. They ride in a group of like 20 including on rainy/foggy nights on suburban streets and many people have posted they've almost hit them on more than one occasion. Simply not smart. They have a FB group themselves and residents made it known what they were doing was dumb and it could affect more than just themselves... namely their own family members as well as these drivers.

People pay 3000-5000 dollars for a racing frame with 2500 dollar wheel sets. If they add a few grams for lights, they might as well buy ghetto 1500 dollar wheelsets. /s

 

[KMFJD]

When I was in Germany, we had some military nublets that got a nasty surprise when they got arrested for riding intoxicated on bikes throughout town. Basically a DUI at that point, and treated by the military as such. They also lost their Germany drivers licenses. That made me giggle a bit.

lmao...

 

[Kaido]

wat? I guess if your local riding group is something like 1000 or more people, I would call that rare, maybe; but dang, man. 1 death per year in most groups is not exactly what I would call rare.

I mean rare in general. How often do you hear about people dying on bicycles?