Endurance cyclist Mike Hall killed during Indian Pacific Wheel Race
March 31, 2017 4:59 AM Subscribe
Mike Hall, 35 year old endurance cyclist was killed in a collision in the morning of 31st March during the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. He has appeared on the blue before, just after his world-record breaking cycle around the world in 92 days
The IPWR is a 5,500km unsupported ride from Freemantle, Australia, to the Sydney Opera House. Mike was in second place before the accident; the race has been cancelled.
He twice won the Tour Divide, a 4,418 km race along the Rockies from Mexico to Canada (2013, 2016), and inbetween (2014) won the first TransAm Bike Race, a 6,800 km route across North America, and found time to co-found the Transcontinential race, which takes different routes across mainland Europe.
In this Youtube video he talks about his experiences with dangerous drivers during his round-the-world trip.
The instant response on twitter demonstrates the influence he had on people's lives, and that he will be sorely missed.
I wasn't much into riding, but Mike was good conversation at parties. I'll raise a drink tonight
The IPWR is a 5,500km unsupported ride from Freemantle, Australia, to the Sydney Opera House. Mike was in second place before the accident; the race has been cancelled.
He twice won the Tour Divide, a 4,418 km race along the Rockies from Mexico to Canada (2013, 2016), and inbetween (2014) won the first TransAm Bike Race, a 6,800 km route across North America, and found time to co-found the Transcontinential race, which takes different routes across mainland Europe.
In this Youtube video he talks about his experiences with dangerous drivers during his round-the-world trip.
The instant response on twitter demonstrates the influence he had on people's lives, and that he will be sorely missed.
I wasn't much into riding, but Mike was good conversation at parties. I'll raise a drink tonight
.
posted by A Robot Ninja at 6:14 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by A Robot Ninja at 6:14 AM on March 31, 2017
I've been following Cycling Maven on his IPWR journey. Personally I feel it's a shame they've cancelled the race— I hope some the competitors still feel free to continue on and dedicate their amazing achievement to Mike Hall.
posted by Static Vagabond at 6:35 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by Static Vagabond at 6:35 AM on March 31, 2017
I'm torn on the cancelling, but I do feel that in these situations there are many mixed emotions. Just as everyone grieves differently, I feel like I know cyclists who would only be spurred on to finish in honor of Mike, and others (like me) who would be overwhelmed with fear and sorrow that it would be impossible to continue.
It's just terrible all around.
posted by knownassociate at 7:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's just terrible all around.
posted by knownassociate at 7:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:51 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by JoeXIII007 at 8:51 AM on March 31, 2017
.
I do ultra-endurance rides and Mike was one of the biggest inspirations. There's no sponsors or prize money in this kind of riding. 5500km simply for bragging rights, just to do it, with no outside help. Obviously there are a lot of risks in doing these kinds of rides on the open road, but that is the price of a real adventure, and Mike was the biggest advocate of that. Adventure just for the sake of it.
I have definitely thought about some of the things he said when I'm having a low point on a long ride. Truly a great loss.
posted by bradbane at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I do ultra-endurance rides and Mike was one of the biggest inspirations. There's no sponsors or prize money in this kind of riding. 5500km simply for bragging rights, just to do it, with no outside help. Obviously there are a lot of risks in doing these kinds of rides on the open road, but that is the price of a real adventure, and Mike was the biggest advocate of that. Adventure just for the sake of it.
I have definitely thought about some of the things he said when I'm having a low point on a long ride. Truly a great loss.
posted by bradbane at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
A little late, but I thought I'd reply here as I have lots of personal experience with that road, and drove it this last weekend. A few years ago I was doing an engineering internship, with a company involved in a construction project in the one-horse town of Williamsdale, where the crash occured, and drove past that intersection daily. I still drive the Monaro highway a few times a year to get to Kosciuszko national park for holidays. Additionally, one of my friends grew up in Canberra, and his parents live on a farm near Williamsdale.
I'm actually anxious, as it's possible, though very unlikely, that my friend's parents might have been the drivers involved.
The Monaro Highway is a harrowing road, and I avoid *driving* it at night. It is actually the worst road in the state for collisions with animals, and I've hit a kangaroo myself driving it (this is a serious problem driving in Australia!) and have also witnessed another car crash at the same intersection that Mike's accident occurred. It's known among my bikepacking friends as a dreary and difficult ride. In fact, IIRC, the mechanic at one of Sydney's most well-known touring bicycle shops said he hated it.
There are plenty of flowers and tributes left at the site of the crash. Me and the driver (who is also a cyclist, we were going mountain biking) were both surprised at how wide the road shoulder was at the site of the crash. Either Mike or the car driver must have drifted a relatively long distance. I have no doubt that, travelling pre-dawn very early in the morning, fatigue was definitely a factor for both the driver and for Mike.
What a terrible way for such an amazing race to end.
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posted by other barry at 2:09 AM on April 10, 2017
I'm actually anxious, as it's possible, though very unlikely, that my friend's parents might have been the drivers involved.
The Monaro Highway is a harrowing road, and I avoid *driving* it at night. It is actually the worst road in the state for collisions with animals, and I've hit a kangaroo myself driving it (this is a serious problem driving in Australia!) and have also witnessed another car crash at the same intersection that Mike's accident occurred. It's known among my bikepacking friends as a dreary and difficult ride. In fact, IIRC, the mechanic at one of Sydney's most well-known touring bicycle shops said he hated it.
There are plenty of flowers and tributes left at the site of the crash. Me and the driver (who is also a cyclist, we were going mountain biking) were both surprised at how wide the road shoulder was at the site of the crash. Either Mike or the car driver must have drifted a relatively long distance. I have no doubt that, travelling pre-dawn very early in the morning, fatigue was definitely a factor for both the driver and for Mike.
What a terrible way for such an amazing race to end.
.
posted by other barry at 2:09 AM on April 10, 2017
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A few of us met at the local bike shop to commemorate him this afternoon. The death of one of the absolute legends in the sport is tough to comprehend.
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posted by flippant at 5:03 AM on March 31, 2017