As I sit here and read this, I’m in total shock to hear the exceptionally sad news that Blake has passed away. This one really seems to hit close to home with me. Fellow racer, same age, same club and riding the same area I ride. I really am speechless…First off, my deepest condolences to his wife Margaux who will have to find the tremendous strength and courage to move on from this great tragedy. How does one truly do this? Thank you to the BMA and friends who will support her as the days and week pass. Then there are those that were riding with him when he passed, something that will never be forgotten.
Then my mind wanders to “how could this have happened” and “what can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen to us?”. I do just about everything I can to protect myself: Good Quality helmet, chest protector, neck brace always on, googles, expensive boots, quality gear and jersey, stay in good shape, try and make smart decisions on the bike, etc… What else could Blake or any other rider in this situation could have done to protect themselves other than selling our bikes and living in bubble wrap the rest of our lives. What’s the fun in that? At the end of the day most of us ride because we love it…I don’t mean like it….I mean LOVE riding and the exhilaration it gives us when doing it. This is a risk we and our families ultimately accept everytime we suit up and throw a right leg over the seat and onto the kick starter in one fluid motion.
While there is no great way to leave this world, I’m sure Blake was having a hell of a great time in the hours and minutes leading up to his untimely passing and was surely better than wasting away in some hospital bed when he was 90 with Alzheimer’s. I would rather die doing what I love rather than live doing something I hate.
I’m sure Blake will be starting his own dirt biking club in heaven and I’m sure it will be top notch. God bless and fairwell fellow rider.
