Death on the trail
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gcrowe
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« Reply #30 on: April 25, 2008, 05:05:45 PM »
"until I was comforting his wife (next to Matt) at the hospital, she said he did complain about tightness in his chest a week or so ago."

we seem to always dismiss the warning signs. my father died 30 years ago at age 51, 3 days after complaining about tightness in his chest. because of that i've seen a cardiologist yearly for the past 6 years. i'm now 52 and have outlived my dad. i urge all you mountain bikers who are past 40 to get checked out yearly. really! do it!
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bonkers
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« Reply #31 on: April 25, 2008, 05:54:28 PM »
Quote from: Dmitri on April 25, 2008, 09:25:37 AM
Quote from: dirtmerchant on April 25, 2008, 09:10:55 AM
I for one need to learn CPR becuase I don't know it and I would be really upset now if this happened and I couldn't do a thing to help him... ANyone know where we can take a class? I will look into a group rate for PMBA... We should commemorate this guy somehow as he is part of our family...

I think the best memory would be to champion the new trail marking system which has been pushed by FOW for years now, and finally get in place. Maybe we could carry the name in it, sort of like there are so many laws names after the cases which triggered their creation (Meghan's Law for example)

Secondly, Lou, contact Kevin Groves. In a strange twist of faith, FOW Trail Ambassadors were having CPR/First Aid training class that exact night. I've attended couple of these classes in the past, and must say, that this one was one of the better ones. It was taught by a real life Philly FD Paramedic, so there was a lot of first hand experience and real life tips included. Kevin will have the guy's contact info and all the details.

dz

I like Dmitri's idea of possibly naming the trail system after this guy. Maybe we can commemorate trail he rode last on as "the Chaplain" or pick a day to get as many PMBA out to ride his final trail & we can lay flowers along the trail area.
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Rodga- that's a special forces tatoo..
bonkers
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« Reply #32 on: April 25, 2008, 09:32:19 PM »
Anyway, I was going to do FC Saturday, but don't have the mental awareness to handle training for the upcomming race. If anyone is going out Saturday and/or Sunday, let me know. I need a chill ride to clear my head.
[/quote]


Neil- I had planned to hit FC tomorrow morning w/a small group. There's a couple of them also training for the MASS race up there on the 10th, I'm going just for shiggles to ride. We're meeting at Hopewell Lake parking area before 9a if you're interested. Look for a group of about 6-7riders & either a green & black Jeep or a white Toyota.
Maybe just riding the loop casually for a lap & not training speed may clear your head just enough. 
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Rodga- that's a special forces tatoo..
DrSaw
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« Reply #33 on: April 25, 2008, 09:51:05 PM »
Thanks for the invite, but I was up there Wed PM and did the Sport course. I just need a chill ride, where I know the trails, and don't have think much. I know every rock and twig in the Wissy, so if my mind wanders, I will be in auto-pilot. My fellow team riders are coming out to get me out.

Thanks for your (and everyone elses) support!
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What hill?
Amy
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« Reply #34 on: April 27, 2008, 05:32:15 PM »
Sorry and sad. Cannot imagine how devastating that news must have been, especially to his wife, children, parents,  and friends. The way his wife described him, he sounds like the kind of guy all of us would want to ride with and know.
Proud of Neil for responding with intelligence, speed and compassion to a very unexpected, not to mention highly stressful event; proud of the other mountain bikers who came upon what must have been a very upsetting scene, and who also responded in a way that would make each and every one of us proud; know that in the honor of Matt, a lot of good will be accomplished. Let's make sure of it. xoxo to everyone.
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dieselkarl
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« Reply #35 on: April 27, 2008, 08:02:03 PM »
This is why I love this group -  everyone's outporing of concern and ideas represents the best of the mtb community.  It's bittersweet that it takes a tragedy of this magnitude to gel a lot of these issues that have been floating in the ether.
Neil, you've had to deal with one of the harshest potential consequences of leading a ride and you did a professional and commendable job. 

Karl
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And I will remember your name and face
On the day you were judged by the funhouse cast
And I will rejoice in your fall from grace
With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
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kenn72
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« Reply #36 on: April 27, 2008, 10:13:38 PM »
Drsaw -
I just wanted tosay how glad I was to see you out on the trail on Saturday morning.  I know that must have been difficult for you to do, but glad you were able to be there.  My riding partner (Jeff T.) and I were both impressed how composed you were, and I hope the next time we see you on the trails you are telling the good stories about Matt and how he spanked you on climbs!

I think Karl said my sentiments for me - "Neil, you've had to deal with one of the harshest potential consequences of leading a ride and you did a professional and commendable job. "
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Kenn Bendajo
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DannyC21
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« Reply #37 on: April 27, 2008, 10:51:40 PM »
During my first ever group ride with PMBA last Thursday, I heard about this tragedy.  It lingered with me throughout my ride and being new to MTBing and still a pretty cautious rider, it had pretty big impact on me.  My deepest condolences go out Mr. Chaplin's family who are going to be dealing with this loss for a long time, and my unbound respect goes out to those who did everything they could to help.

Being a new rider, and often riding the trails on my own, I've always had the dangers of being out on trails sitting in the back of my mind.  I don't know many of you yet, but it is very comforting to read your posts and see that this is a very caring community and one I look forward to getting to know.     
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jpearce
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« Reply #38 on: April 29, 2008, 08:12:14 AM »
FYI - we just got a nice note from our friends at Courtesy Stables expressing their regrets at Mark's passing.  Looks like news is working its way through the park users community.  Something like this affects all park users.

Also - PMBA is collecting donations for the Chaplin Children's Scholarship Fund, which was noted in his obituary as the designated place for contributions in his memory.  Those wishing to do so can follow the link on the home page to the PMBA Store.  Contributions can be made in increments of $10 by selecting the Quantity (i.e., a $30 donation would be made by selecting a quantity of 3).  PMBA will send the donation at the end of next week.
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Fish
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« Reply #39 on: April 30, 2008, 11:05:07 PM »
Just catching up and saw this news..  It especially hits home for me as I'm about the same age as Matt and have 3 kids as well.  It really could be any of us.   I don't care how good of shape you think you are in, get a checkup because a lot of it is genetic and beyond your control - you owe it to your friends and family.        I didn't know him but I've read all the posts and he seems like a great guy we'd all enjoy riding with.  I hope that someday his kids will ride the Wissahickon as their Dad liked to do, and know that he's watching them and pushing them along - especially up Chaplin hill which I'm sure they will make it up every time.    My heart goes out to Matt's family and friends.  I'm also VERY proud to be part of such a great community and sport. The type of responses and attitude displayed by mountain bikers is why I got into this sport from the beginning...where else can you just meet up with a bunch of people you never met and go out and ride bikes with them and chat like old friends..?   

Godspeed Matt and know that you will be in our thoughts every time we ride your hill.

-Steve
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Kman
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« Reply #40 on: April 30, 2008, 11:37:06 PM »


Aye, well put Steve, the Mt. Bike community is a special group, there is something very powerful about MT. Biking that connects with the Bike, the trail, but especially the people, I'm not sure I would even be riding if it wasn't for the people around me.  It is a proud feeling.

KROTEE
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