Some sad news.

jellybellywmb

pugwashcp wrote:

Truly horrendous news. Never met Gats but I'd like to echo the sentament of others on this forum and say that he will be missed.

There's a beautiful spot on one of my regular routes where I always stop for a breather. Next time I do I'll take a moment or two and offer up a few words for Gats.

My deepest sympathies for all.

Thought the very same today .

TheGreatGatsby

Harp wrote:

This news is hard to understand and take in.

My sincere condolences to the loved ones he leaves behind.

I never knew Gats other than through this website but he was one of those guys who made you want to read his postings and I for one will miss him.

I too will say a few words for him when I'm out on Sunday morning.

Rest in peace.

I learned from reading other tragic news of not to ever go up the inside of a lorry when it is at a junction, it may turn left and trap you.
If we can learn something from these tragedies then their loss has in some small way perhaps helped others. Can anyone advise whether it was at a junction , from behind , built up area , country road ?

Ellie here

I'm home alone and finding it a great comfort to come on here and read your posts so - thank you all.

I wish there was something we could learn from this. But as i am sure you are all aware Mark spent more time on the bike than off and there was nothing he didn't know about staying safe on the road.

This was a tragic accident caused simply by the inpatients of a driver on their way home. On a country road he would ride down every day on his way home. 3 cars going the other way - the 2nd pulled out and overtook the 1st followed by the 3rd who didn't see Mark coming towards him on the other side of the road. it was a head on collision and unavoidable.

The only thing i can pass on is please please be careful out there. You can make all the precautions in the world but you can never control the actions of others.

Red Rock

Ellie here

The only thing i can pass on is please please be careful out there. You can make all the precautions in the world but you can never control the actions of others.

I'm sure those words will haunt me throughout my next ride when I'll be thinking of Gats and those who he's left behind.

Take care of yourself Ellie and try not to sit alone to much.

Red Rock

sithebike

Hi Ellie,

I am glad that you can find some comfort within this forum.

I never personally knew Mark but we chatted through the forum and he always seemed like a really nice, genuine man.

My thoughts are still with you and Marks family.

Take care of yourself Ellie

pedylan

This is shocking news.

I too only knew Gats through his postings but he came across as a committed and even obsessive cyclist who usually had something to say worth taking notice of.

I'd like to extend my condolences to Ellie and the rest of Gats' family and friends. As you urge, we will all take more care - for a while.

I'll also take time to reflect and stop somewhere to offer him a farewell thought.

Take care Ellie - and everyone else too.

mackdaddy

I've just spotted this and am in tears reading it. I didn't know him other than by his posts, but rest in peace fella and condolences, love and thoughts to Ellie, family and friends.

winoneday

I've not been a member on here for particularly long but you very quickly get an idea of a few people who just jump out at you every time they post. Gats was definitely one of those and I genuinely cannot believe this news. I'm really cut up reading this thread and like almost everyone else I'd never met him.

A terrible loss, all my sympathy to family and friends.

Tom Butcher

Very sad news - so sorry to hear that - never seems fair when the simple and harmless pleasure of riding a bicycle ends in one of us leaving our loved ones behind too soon.

JonBurns

It seems the bikeradar forum will be a much quieter place without his prolific posting. He always came across as a nice fella with a wealth of knowledge and always willing to share his opinions and try and help people out with their questions.

Condolences to Ellie and the family

God Bless.

hisoka

My condolences for your loss Ellie, it is a sad event to happen indeed.

gematkinson1

so so sad. condolences, so tragic he was taken away by an impatient driver. my sincerest condolences, a bloody knowledgable and nice chap.

bazza59

very sorry to read about such a tragic loss. Gats' postings were always worth reading. Condolences to Elli and his family

meagain

What Nuggs said, Spen.

And, bad sad news. Nothing to say except deepest sympathy to his nearest and dearest.

dave j

SteveR_100Milers

I am so sorry to hear this news, not been on the forum for ages, but respected Gats for his pragmatic view of his love affair with his bike. Have to say I feel numb, but nothing like the loss his closest friends and family must feel, so my deepest sympathies with them.

PhilofCas

I'm sat here opened mouthed in disbelief and sadness. So sorry to read this news.

RIP 'THE GREAT GATSBY'.

jpembroke

This is truly awful news; I am shocked and saddened. Deepest sympathies for your tragic loss.

Cleat Eastwood

Man,makes you realise just how important our little community is, to gather round and give such support. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends. God bless

steve23

sorry to hear about this sad news.

so frustrating that he was needlessly killed by another careless driver.

thoughts to his friends and family. RIP.

cyclingfury

So Long GATS.

We're all going to miss you.

Gotte

Such sorry news. Terrible, terrible.

neeb

I was shocked when I heard about this a few days ago. Although I never knew him and only exchanged views on one or two occasions, I was very aware of Gats' presence here and will greatly miss it. My deepest sympathies to everyone who knew him; what a terrible tragedy.

giant_man

omg what a terrible waste of life, The Great Gatsby was geniune and well liked on this forum. RiP mate, you will be missed terribly.

Fab Foodie

Just picked-up on this.

Very sad indeed, Gats was a GREAT guy, spent a lot of time in the old C+ and early BR days talking through his food/fitness issues. He was a really nice enthusiastic and energetic guy. One of my favourite posters, one of the good guys.

RIP Gats, condolences to his loved ones.

alecstilleyedye

that's dreadful news. loss of a great forum character. my condolences to his family and all who knew him.

ivancarlos

Sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.

ColinJ

I've been putting off doing this, because it is all so upsetting, but it needs to be done...

There is a thread on Cycle Chat about this now, and I've made a longer post there.

I couldn't believe the news about Gats' death when I read it. I've stopped reading threads about cyclists dying because I'm getting more and more worried about traffic conditions, and I don't want to stop riding. I get so angry about the waste of life due to some pillock's stupidity and impatience. News of Gats' fate somehow slipped in under the radar, and I was completely unprepared for it. It's funny how you can feel that you know someone, even though you've never met him or even had any direct communication with him. I ended up weeping for a stranger that night...

R.I.P. Gats. My condolences to his family and friends.

Blonde

The cycling community is brought together by a common interest, and through forums such as this one, where we can share sometimes quite personal aspects of our lives, so some people may have more friends than they realise. I know that this sad news will have touched a great many more friends than Gats could possibly have imagined he had. I'd also like to express my deepest sympathy for his close friends, girlfriend and family.

TheGreatGatsby

Hi Ellie here (Gats Girlfriend)

I have been keeping an eye on the thread and have been completely over whelmed by the number of responses. Especially by those of you who knew Mark from his early days in the cycling community.

I'd like to say thanks to those of you who knew about his issues with diet and training. It's comforting to know he had so many looking out for him. We would talk about most things and i'd like to think he did listen to me about the important stuff - but when it came to cycling what did i know? He was as stubborn as old boots and had some strange ideas about stuff but i think he would take notice of what his fellow 'roadies' had to say.

You all played an important part in his life. And although cut short - he did manage to cram a lot in, living every day to the max. I'm sure you'll have read his posts about 4am rides and the crazy mileage he achieved each week! he never wanted to waste a single moment.

The alarm still goes off at 3.30am - i haven't worked out how to reset it yet (a part of me doesn't want to) it acts as a reminder of how much i love him, despite all his oddities and obsession with riding.

SteveR_100Milers

Eliie, It's great you posting on here, and I'd like to say for me, if not the majority of the rest of the forum members, its important for us to stop, think, grieve, or whatever our personal reactions are. We all knew him in a small way and despite a web forum being a virtual world in reality, its always surprising how genuine the friendships and acquaintances can become. So, again deep felt thanks for sharing your feelings with us, and you are welcome to continue to do so.

andyp

Hi Ellie,

I think many of us are a bit obsessive about cycling and saw in Gats a bit that we'd all seen in ourselves. His enthusiasm and passion for cycling was infectious and I'm sure that carried over into everything he did. I'm still shocked and very saddened about the news but please be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you as your loss is much greater than ours.

Take care.

Andy