Being a large club, we are an extended family and care about each other. When members suffer a loss, challenge or injury, we sometimes don’t hear about it, but the outreach of a friend can really help uplift us in challenging times. Click the ‘posts’ below to add comments or well wishes to this blog. Use the Roster to reach out to send cards or support.
If you are willing to take a lead on this committee we can use some volunteers to keep up on news.
If you hear of news of a BCI member, or can help, please share it with Benevolence@BikeIrvine.org
We just got word that Bob Davidson, BCI# 3136 (Joined March 26, 2001 with his wife Carol BCI#3135) passed away on January 31st. Notice from his FaceBook page below.
Our condolences to Carol,
his family and many friends.
No longer in our roster but contact Bill@BikeIrvine.org for Carol’s private contact info.
Elliot Gordon (BCI #4023), who was just back in the saddle recently, has broken his leg in a surfing accident. The break was to his left leg, both the tibia and fibula.
He’s been told to expect a long convalescence until things heal and then he may need to consider knee replacement surgery. He wants all to know that he is “getting great care.”
Elliot, we wish you a good recovery and your biking friends will certainly miss riding with you.
January Update: Elliott is back to hammering with BCI and playing in the snow!
That's right! It’s CAKE ON SATURDAY after the ride and ICE CREAM ON SUNDAY at Dana Point Harbor! See below for rain updates…
SATURDAY, September 30th, 12:30 PM
UPDATE: Rain or shine, come at 12:30 PM Saturday to the Oak Creek shopping center food court - 5600 Alton Parkway - next to Gelsons in Irvine. (BCI’s usual 1st Saturday Lunch Place)
For as long as it holds out, THERE WILL BE CAKE!
But wait…there’s more!
SUNDAY, October 1st, 9:00 AM
UPDATE: No ride if it rains! If it’s clear, meet at Dana Point Harbor for a ride through the campgrounds and along the coast. We'll ride 15 miles south, tag the Pendleton fence and head the 15 miles back to the harbor.
Park in the large lot at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern (Near El Torito restaurant). Roll out will be at 9:00 a.m.
Enjoy ice cream afterwards at the harbor.
75? No way!
Edited report submitted by Richard Sheff:
“Dave's foot got caught in his pedal while trying to dismount from his bike on Wednesday, June 14th.
The result, a broken left femur, close to the hip. The operation was a success. On Saturday, Dave seemed to be sufficiently drugged and resting comfortably at Hoag Hospital in Newport. Sunday, he expects to be moved to a care facility for 2 weeks of rehabilitation. Give him a call: 949-278-5531. He'll be happy to hear from you.”
Reports are that, alone on his ride, he had to call 911 himself to get a lift to the nearest ER…!
Update: As of 6/26 David has been sent home & is getting around with a walker already!
He has since returned to riding with the BCI.
Jonathon Han (BCI#5163) joined BCI last August and his bicycle was stolen!
”I'm writing to inform you that my road bike was stolen outside the Heritage Library on June.1, so I will no longer be able to attend our club rides. I reported to local police since my bike was locked under the CCTV camera but so far no feedback from IPD . I checked on the Facebook marketplace and Craigslist but no luck there.
So I kindly request your assistance if there are any other sightings or relevant information that the club’s members could have.
The details of my stolen bike are as follows.
This bike accompanied me for many races and was shipped from China, it's quite meaningful to me.
Brand: Winspace. ( with the "IRONMAN Vietnam70.3 "sticker on the frame. )
Color: White, red and black. as below picture .
If you happen to spot my bike or have any information that may assist in its recovery, please notify me immediately. Hopefully we can increase the chances of locating and retrieving my bike.
I look forward to rejoining our club rides as soon as I can,
Best regards,
Jonathan Han
Tel: 907 382 0587
On April 25, Phil Norton had a successful Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. He reported improved blood flow and walked about a quarter mile in the hallways that morning without using the walker. He was back home the same day and had to exercise patience by staying off the bicycle for about a week. Phil was back on the bike on April 30 completing a 5 mile ride.
Way to go, Phil! Wishing you continued wellness!
Ramona Dalton, Spirit Awardee and BCI# 662, turned her 80th lap around the sun today, April 19th. She will be at our 1st Saturday - After Ride Lunch on May 6th so join us in celebrating her milestone with a bit of cake !
I’m sad to report that former BCI member Mike Kirk unexpectedly passed away on Tue, Apr 11 due to complications during a heart ablation procedure. He was 73 years old.
Mike joined BCI in 1994 (BCI#2220). Mike and his wife Nancy (Spencer) met in BCI and were married on a BCI remote weekend in Solvang. They went on many bicycle trips in the U.S. and abroad, often on their tandem with other BCI couples. Mike and Nancy eventually moved to Arizona, where Nancy is still living.
I think it’s safe to say that those of us who knew Mike have only the fondest of memories. He was friendly to everyone he encountered and consistently had a smile on his face.
Nancy has expressed that she would love to hear from BCI friends. Her email is nancykirk24@gmail.com. Please email benevolence@bikeirvine.org if you’d like her mailing address.
Nancy would like to welcome their BCI friends to Mike’s Celebration of Life on May 13, 1:00-3:00 pm.
Pedal Haus Brewery Restaurant, 730 S. Mill Ave, #102, Tempe, Arizona 85281
Please RSVP to Nancy by email if you’re able to attend: nancykirk24@gmail.com.
Please save the date of Sunday, April 30th at 2:30 PM for BCI#4897;
Betsy Jackson’s 65th birthday celebration at the
Oak Creek shopping center food court - 5600 Alton Parkway - next to Gelsons in Irvine.
(BCI’s usual 1st Saturday Lunch Place)
There are several restaurants available for lunch !
We will be serving cake at 3:30 . Hope you can join us for lunch or just stop by to wish Betsy a happy birthday and have a piece of cake 🎂 hosted by her BCI friends!
Save The Date - 5th March, 2023.
Jenny Short (BCI# 2146) is continuing on a tradition that Mike Farrell started back in October & asking her family and friends to join her in celebrating her 80th at 2:30pm on Sunday March 5th, 2023 at the Oak Creek food court at 5600 Alton Parkway, next to Gelson’s. There are quite a few restaurants available for lunch choices, Mustard Café, The Stand, Taquiero Tacos, OC Fish Grill, Maizuru Sushi Bar, Upper Crust Pizza, Gelson’s salad bar, and we will have birthday cake around 4:00PM.
Jenny hopes you can make it and please pass this on to anyone you think might want to help her celebrate.
Jenny has been a member since September 1993;
almost 30 years!
Kathy Shapiro (BCI# 288) stepped forward to chair a benevolence committee to help collect & share news and offer support. If you are interested in joining her ‘team’
please let her know.
If you know any of the members mentioned below, please reach out and offer a bit of love and sympathy.
You can also click right on the post & add your own comments to post.
If you know of other members who are facing challenges, confirm they want to have the news shared with BCI first, then please let us know by clicking THIS blog post and adding a comment below so we can get the word out.
Michael was an active past member # 3297 and served in 2011 & 2012 as our Vice President. He joined in October 2001 and stepped in to cover a Director @ Large vacancy on the board in 2010. For many years he cleared out his work trailer to run luggage support for our Summer Solstice Tours. His partial amputations ended his active cycling, and he relocated a few years ago, Mike now lives up in Bodfish and is facing an amputation (diabetes). He needs some help to modify his home & get set up for recovery and has asked for help through a Go Fund Me process. We wish him success in healing, and if anyone would like to help support his expenses, he would sure appreciate it. Mike’s surgery is scheduled for October 19th and he still needs help reaching his goal.
Jane & Maya on a happier day!
On Tuesday, October 4th, Maya, BCI#1114 went for a short mid-day solo spin, and ended up spending 6 hours in the ER with a cracked collarbone & facial trauma; She ‘zoned’ out & saw stopped cars so took a crosswalk, but the left turn lanes had a green and the ‘red hand’ way across the intersection did not catch her attention… A truck from Oklahoma pulled out & as she swerved it glanced into her & threw her down. Lots of witnesses and helpful bystanders but the truck took off - hit & run. She likely will heal without surgery, but won’t be out on the road with us for a few weeks - catch up with her at the BCI Annual Meeting Dinner on the 15th…
September 11, 1943 ~ September 10, 2022
Gordon Van Houten passed away on 9-10-22, one day before his 79th birthday. He rode with BCI together with his wife, Jerri Bennett-Van Houten. On May 19th, Jerri had to call 9-1-1. Gordon was taken by ambulance from his home for medical care in May and was never able to return home. He died of multiple possible causes.
Gordon, BCI#4235 and his wife Jerri joined BCI in August 2008.
Jerri, sending you deep condolences for the loss of your husband and for what must have been a very difficult four months leading up to his passing. Although you both always rode together, please feel welcome to ride with BCI anytime if/when you feel up to it.
Jerri & Gordon were always willing to claim a picnic area first thing with their adopted retired racing dogs.
Word just in that Dave Murphy is having heart bypass surgery tomorrow (yes, Saturday, 9/17/22). Marsha said that according to his doctor, he is expected to be back in full force after about a 12-week recovery period. Dave, we wish you well and will stay tuned for updates from Marsha.
Dave had a very successful surgery and experiencing a quick recovery - he is feeling great. He is staying away from folks for Covid safety for a while, and is under Doctor’s Orders to not ride for a while, but he and Marsha are relieved and appreciate support from club members.
Aug 8 1950 ~ Sep 9 2022
News of another cyclist being tragically hit on our local streets was just circulating when the news of it being one of our own beloved members came through. Jeff Rosenthal was on his way home when he was hit and killed by a motorist driving a vehicle. Very few details have been released, but rumor has him being rear ended in the bike lane of Paseo de Valencia on the eastbound approach to Alicia Parkway. There is some damaged landscaping indicating, if that was the location, that the vehicle crossed the bike lane as well as the sidewalk.
The crash was published by the BikingInLA blog, where more comments memories and tributes to Jeff have been posted. If you click this post you can add your comments and memories to those below.
Jeff joined BCI in October 2014 (BCI# 4723).
He was just 72, and leaves behind his wife Barbara of 41 years, his son Alex, daughter Lindsay (and Asher) and grandchildren, Evy & Landyn.
As more information comes to light we will update this sad news. Jeff was a devout leader in his Temple and a pillar of his community. Here is the announcement from his Temple.
His funeral is tentatively Thursday at 1pm in Newport Beach.
Shiva service will be at his Chabad at 7pm in Mission Viejo.
His widow Barbara has said all are welcome.
Those BCI members who were fortunate to call him their friend are devastated as well.
December 9, 1927
~ August 14, 2022
Carrol Lund (BCI# 2350) passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 94. He joined BCI in September 1994 with his wife, Darlene (BCI #2351). Carrol and Darlene rode with the club for many years often with their two daughters, Cindi (BCI#2612) and Jenny (BCI#2603). For years, Carrol called the start of the Saturday rides with his projecting voice and consistently swept the short rides, always offering encouragement to newbies and slower riders. Carrol is survived by his wife, Darleen and his daughters, Cindi and Jennifer. We offer our deep condolences to the Lund family.
Click on the title of this post (“Carrol Lund’s Passing”) for more details from Carrol’s daughter, Cindi.
If you’d like info to reach out to the Lund’s, please send an email to benevolence@bikeirvine.org with that request or you could contact Jenny Lund directly at jennyjj@juno.com.
A Memorial service will be held for Carrol Lund on Sat, Aug 27 at 10:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church, 18542 Vanderlip Ave, Santa Ana (North Tustin).
Scott Hunter (BCI #2402) passed away on Thurs, Aug 11, 2022. Scott was a long-time rider with BCI and will be remembered by many of us who rode with the club back in the 1990s and early 2000s. Below is the text of his final Facebook post: Click on the heading of this post (“Scott Hunter’s Passing”) to see the full text of his daughter Deborah’s post.
May you rest in peace, Scott!
July 20, 1940 ~ August 11, 2022
Kathy has a broken ankle! She will be off the bike for awhile. “I fractured my ankle last Friday evening on a hike in Limestone Cyn. Fortunately it's a small fracture. I'm in a boot and could walk and drive but the doctor said not to bike or hike for 6-8 weeks. Thankfully, I'm not in pain. Just need to find other ways to exercise besides biking and hiking. Time to sign up for Silversneakers...ugh! I'm so not an indoor exerciser!”
On Tuesday, Aug 2, Richard Sheff and a few other BCI riders left the route after the rest stop and headed up Laguna Canyon back to Irvine. At Laguna Canyon and Pavona, while merging across the road to the left turn lane, Richard was hit from behind by a motorist. He was taken to Mission Hospital with a report of 8 ribs and 1 left finger broken in his hand, plus plenty of road rash. Richard’s bicycle was reportedly destroyed, (but maybe just the rear wheel).
What a week for our BCI riders—Richard was the third rider down!
Richard, we’re sending our best wishes for complete healing and getting back to riding as soon as possible. As serious as this is, fortunately it wasn’t even more serious!
Update: Richard is back on his bike - Was on the club ride October 4th & is back to getting his miles in after only 2 months - Welcome back Richard!
His note: “Thanks to some very skilled docs and a great deal of luck, I'm alive and feeling well. While most cyclist don't get a "redo" at living a full life after being struck by truck, I have and I'm going to make the most of it.”
