Eastern Bloc Cycling Club
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Dumpster ride 8/15/19 changed to a memorial to Steve Quinn, who died in cycling accident 8/14/19 in New Hartford
This week's Dumpster ride will meet in the usual location (behind New Hartford Town Hall) and leave at usual 6:00 time. It will be two laps around Riverton/Pleasant Valley and will be a silent ride in memory of Steve Quinn who died on the evening of 8/14/19 from injuries he sustained while descending down West Hill Road on the tight curve before Stub Hollow road. Consider wearing a black armband and use your front light and rear blinker as well if you've got them. The pace will be slow to allow everyone to think about what happened. I didn't know Steve, but he was "one of us" and died on a hill I had descended down myself several hours earlier. Those who remain after the ride can bring some food and drink. The gas grill will be available.
Doug Gerard
Steve was a member of the Northwest Regional 7 class of 1986. He lived on Lake Shore Drive in New Hartford when he was a teenager. He is a few years younger than me so I did not know him well at the time but he was likely one of the many kids we tooled around the neighborhood with on our bikes.
Steve approached me a few years ago at the Rocky Hill cross series and re-introduced himself. After that it was quite common for Beth and I to cross paths with him and his friend Bill (both of Colebrook) up in the popular Colebrook/Sandisfield area. I have been told he also often joined our club rides out of New Hartford Center.
I am happy I had the chance to ride with Steve this summer on many of the Wednesday "Fight Night" rides. He was strong, had good skills, and was a rider that I felt comfortable with in close quarters.
Beth and I were away last week when this occurred and I have tried to piece together an understanding of how this could have happened from people who were at the scene. Sadly, we can't go back and change the outcome. All we can do is keep Steve in our hearts and do whatever we can to keep this type of tragedy from happening again. Thank you Doug and everyone else involved who organized this ride in Steve's memory. He was a part of our cycling family and his absence will be felt.