The rider who died in a crash on Levi's King Ridge GranFondo this weekend has been named as Edward Lund of Fresno, California.
Lund, 54, was an artist, a highly regarded art installer and an experienced cyclist.
Selena Mitchell, Lund's partner, found some solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved.
"It is with great sadness that I share with you the news that the love of my life, Edward Lund, died yesterday in a bicycle race," Mitchell posted on Facebook.
"He was doing what he loved in the passionate, beautiful way that he did everything, and for that, I find some peace. He will be deeply missed by Grace and I, and by all of the many people he touched in his multiple communities."
The death, the first in the seven years of the running of Levi's GranFondo has inevitably created a debate about safety.
Changes will follow according to Carlos Perez of Bike Monkey, the company that produces the event. Perez was quoted in The Press Democrat of Santa Rosa:
"Something will be implemented in response to this tragedy, but it will be well thought out, and it will be vetted, and it will be part of our protocol."
Perez does not think that the fact that riders are timed is an issue and said that without timing the event would be less popular leaving less money for the extensive marshalling that occurs. Hundreds of marshals and volunteers supported the 2015 GranFondo, including over 50 California Highway Patrol Officers.
It is not uncommon for rides to "neutralize" dangerous descents by not including the time taken on a certain section in riders' official overall times. The Marmotte in the French Alps, one of the most famous mass cycling events which finishes up Alpe D'Huez, now does exactly that on its first descent from the Col du Glandon.
Lund's tragic death during such a high profile and well-run Gran Fondo will undoubtedly cause organizers and riders to think about the risks involved.
The Facebook page of Levi's GranFondo posted this reflection on Lund's death:
"We're a community of riders, each one of us. When we lose one of our own on a day that's supposed to be a celebration, we struggle to express the depth of our sadness. For now, every thought we have is for this rider's family. Please be safe out there. We simply don't have enough time together."
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