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https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl General Category >> rbent Lobby >> Todd Martin https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1254622841 Message started by barlows on Oct 3rd, 2009, 9:20pm |
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Title: Todd Martin Post by barlows on Oct 3rd, 2009, 9:20pm Just passing on some sad news of Todd Martin from an FWBA ride this morning. For those that knew Todd, he was a joy to ride with (if you could keep up), and a great person to be around. What a great loss. Steve ============================================================== Subject: [FWBA] Todd Martin's accident this mornig may not be caused by an automobile This morning Todd Martin was found along side the road and was not alive. Please do not jump to conclusions. The bike does not appear to be damaged as would be the case if he was hit by a car. The police are doing a forensic check and we may know something later. Right now we just need to reflect on how we knew Todd. |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by aikigreg on Oct 3rd, 2009, 9:36pm oh my god. I don't even know how to respond. Condolences to his family. |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by Bud_Bent on Oct 4th, 2009, 7:48am This is unbelievable. Only one week ago, I was cheering him on from my corner at TTTT, as he raced by every lap. Here is what Betty Brown posted on the FWBA yahoo group: Jerry and I just now returned home from our ride in Peaster today. What started out as a fabulous day turned into a very tragic day. Here is what we know, which is not much. Todd rode out fast and we think he was out in front. We have 3 hills right away on Precinct road. Todd had only rode just under two miles when his bike went off the road on the opposite side. We had a big group of approximately 50 riders and we think everyone was behind him and no one saw him go off the road. Where it happened there was a bend and the start of the 3rd hill on that road just past a small bridge. If anyone riding out front remembers seeing anything, please let us know. His bike landed a good ways off the road and he was not as far away but could not be seen from the road as he was down in a culvert of sorts. Also the bike was not visible from that direction. We rode back in on that same road. Jerry was sweeping the ride and two miles before the finish a motorist stopped Jerry and told him about seeing the bike off the road. Jerry went back to investigate and he found Todd but did not know then that it was him. He called 911. He realized after looking at the bike that it was Todd. This was very devastating for Jerry as he and Todd are very good friends. It was Jerry who first introduced Todd to the FWBA several years ago. To have it happen on our ride only made it even more devastating for us. The investigators on the scene were very kind and helpful. There was no visible damage to Todd’s bike and no indication on the road of any type of collision. It is odd that he was on the opposite of the road as Todd was a very experienced and safe rider and he always rode on the right side of road. The medical examiners could not determine the cause at the scene. Once we get more information from the ME’s office we will let you know. Jerry apologizes to the many people that tried to call him today and did not reach him. He was devastated and he had to stay until the investigation concluded because he was basically the only witness to finding him. Thank you to all those many folks that stayed and waited for us and thanks to Jerry Franks for the prayer for Todd. You are a great group and Jerry really appreciated the support. I will have to say again thank goodness for the sign in sheets. Todd had listed his father in Ohio as his emergency contact and we had a number for him. Without the sign in sheets, we would have had no way of knowing. They sent officers in Ohio to personally notify his dad. We are thankful for that. Jerry will try to reach his dad tomorrow, Jerry would also like to personally talk to Todd’s good riding friend Robert. We do not have his last name or a number for him. If anyone has that please let us know. All we can do in the meantime is remember Todd and pray that he did not suffer. He was a great guy and a staple of the FWBA and the Lone Star Randonneurs. He was always quick to help out anyone in need. We will miss him dearly. Betty |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Oct 4th, 2009, 8:10am I'm at a loss for words....... |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by barlows on Oct 4th, 2009, 12:01pm Subject: [FWBA] Informal Gathering to Memorialize Todd Martin at 4 pm Today We are gathering today at the large covered pavilion at River Legacy Park at 4:00 pm to remember our beloved friend Todd Martin. We chose River Legancy because if you knew Todd, you knew he loved to ride his bike at River Legacy Park, rain or shine. He would probably be out there today in the rain, so we will remember him there instead. There is parking near the pavilion, and there is seating, but it may be wet,so bring towels or you can bring your own dry camp chairs. Also dress for the wet weather as it could be worse by this afternoon. Go into the main entrance of the park on Green Oaks Blvd and take the first left. There is a sign pointing to the pavilion which is at the back. Someone, please post this on the LSR group and pass this on to anyone you know who may not be on this group. Thanks for all your support. |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by AustinSkater on Oct 4th, 2009, 12:01pm Shellene and I were on the 400k yesterday when we heard the news. It made for a somber rain soaked ride home. Todd would have loved the weather. From an email today: We are gathering today at the large covered pavilion at River Legacy Park at 4:00 pm to remember our beloved friend Todd Martin. We chose River Legacy because if you knew Todd, you knew he loved to ride his bike at River Legacy Park, rain or shine. He would probably be out there today in the rain, so we will remember him there instead. There is parking near the pavilion, and there is seating, but it may be wet,so bring towels or you can bring your own dry camp chairs. Also dress for the wet weather as it could be worse by this afternoon. Go into the main entrance of the park on Green Oaks Blvd and take the first left. There is a sign pointing to the pavilion which is at the back. Someone, please post this on the LSR group and pass this on to anyone you know who may not be on this group. Thanks for all your support. Jerry |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by shellenefoster on Oct 4th, 2009, 1:17pm aikigreg wrote:
Todd's family was almost exclusively those with whom he rode bicycles. We were lucky to know him. shellene |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by Killer Bee on Oct 4th, 2009, 9:10pm Like others, Peggy & I are in shock & disbelief. While we did not know Todd very well, the sense of loss is still indescribable. He will be missed. Ride free, ride on Todd. |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by barlows on Oct 4th, 2009, 10:57pm Keep an eye on lonestarrandon.org. The pictures that are normally cycling through on the main page have been replaced with some shots of Todd during rides and other stuff. Steve |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by MrOverdressed on Oct 5th, 2009, 7:40pm This situation with Todd reminds me of Dr. Bob Bredlove: http://www.ultracycling.com/about/hof_breedlove.html Who reportedly slumped over his handlebars and swerved into the path of an oncoming pickup truck during the 2005 RAAM race. We can only wait for the athorities to complete their investigation and relase further info reguarding Todd. |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by barlows on Oct 6th, 2009, 6:27am Here's a quick tribute page that's been put up at the Time Trial site: http://tt24tt.com/todd_martin/ Anyone that has any "Todd" stories, feel free to post them up on the LoneStarRandon discussion list. There's a few going around already. Steve |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by Bud_Bent on Oct 6th, 2009, 3:16pm Here's an update from Vernon Leonard, posted on the FWBA yahoo group: This is not an officially statement from the ME’s office and they have not made a final ruling, but this is what have concluded so far. 1. It does not appear to be any intentional act and he was not hit by a vehicle. 2. There were issues with Todd’s heart and further tests are being done. 3. Todd lost control of his bike and veered off the road sharply to the left. However, it might never be known for certain if the heart issue caused this chain of events to start. 4. The impact into the ditch was not survivable. In other words, if the lead riders would have seen him go off the road, called for medical help immediately, he still would not have survived. We some times hear or think that these bicycle deaths are just written off as tragic accidents and no one other than our fellow bicyclist cares. This is not the case with this death. The ME’s office is doing a very thorough investigation of this. One of the ME investigator that was at the scene is a touring bicycle rider and is still assigned to the case. He and another experienced rider have examined Todd’s bicycle, shoes and clothing. The crime scene investigator from the Parker County Sheriff’s Office is also still assisting. We may find out more in a few days, or it might take a few weeks depending on the tests being done. As more information is received, I will forward it to our members. Vernon |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by aikigreg on Oct 6th, 2009, 4:12pm Is it weird that I'm glad to know it wasn't just another hit and run? |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by Hull 697 on Oct 9th, 2009, 11:54pm aikigreg wrote:
Not in my book. I am comfortable with the thought of a coronary or similar while riding his bike. When I go I hope I am either on a bike or at the helm of a sailboat. Not many people go out doing something they love. |
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Title: Re: Todd Martin Post by Kwijybow on Oct 10th, 2009, 10:07am Quote:
No Greg, I've been praying it wasn't a car, I'm sick of the death toll to cars. -- Nelson. |
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