Mike Hall - sad news

DeVlaeminck

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/grave- ... 84d5f95737

Apparently now confirmed - really very sad news.

bigmitch41

Tragic news, one of the front runners not far from the end of the race too.

fenix

Tragic. The reports about his vision doesn't sound good either. Are we encouraging people to push too hard in these extreme events ?

courtmed

Fenix wrote:

Tragic. The reports about his vision doesn't sound good either. Are we encouraging people to push too hard in these extreme events ?

That was my first thought after seeing those reports a few days ago. Hard to tell, obviously, but hopefully it will all be investigated in due course.

Sad news.

svetty

Fenix wrote:

Tragic. The reports about his vision doesn't sound good either. Are we encouraging people to push too hard in these extreme events ?

I don't think 'we' are encouraging them any more than 'we' encourage climbers to attempt K2 or Everest. Some people are highly motivated to achieve extreme feats, sometimes this leads them beyond the bounds of safety with tragic consequences. Captain Oates et al spring to mind

Brakeless

Fenix wrote:

Tragic. The reports about his vision doesn't sound good either. Are we encouraging people to push too hard in these extreme events ?

How about we appreciate what a great and inspirational rider Mike was. There'll be plenty of time for an inquest but now is not the time with no facts known.

Mike was one of the best endurance athletes to come out of the UK and this is a massive tradgedy, lets reflect on that today and learn any lessons from this at a future time.

chris217

here here to all comments, in shock and desperately sad news.

agree on the inspirational spirit, one of a kind and so humble with no ego.

OMark

Just read this, very sad indeed. Talented individual for sure.

shimanobottombracket

Fenix wrote:

Tragic. The reports about his vision doesn't sound good either. Are we encouraging people to push too hard in these extreme events ?

In light of this I would suggest a maximum amount of hours in the saddle as a rule for such events. Breaching this rule would be grounds for disqualification. Sounds like Mike pushed himself too hard and started getting symptoms which compromised his safety. Given the circumstances I can understand how someone could come to be in such a situation. The pressure to finish, and finish high must have been immense.

chris217

Be careful we have no ideas as to circumstances and the very nature of the event is really defeated if we start imposing rules and restrictions also nigh on impossible to enforce

Terrible outcome we need to celebrate what Mike has achieved and try to Live our lives....that's what he would have wanted

slowbike

ShimanoBottomBracket wrote:

Fenix wrote:

Tragic. The reports about his vision doesn't sound good either. Are we encouraging people to push too hard in these extreme events ?

In light of this I would suggest a maximum amount of hours in the saddle as a rule for such events.

In light of what?
Have you seen a report of the official investigation or are you just kneejerking?

yup - thought so....

DeVlaeminck

There's no doubt that sleep deprivation, huge amounts of exercise and riding on public roads carries a risk but no we don't know if it's relevant in Mike's death. I've heard of at least one PBP competitor who they think had a fatal accident after falling asleep but endurance racing isn't really my thing so whether it happens very rarely or a little more often I don't know. Unless it's more common than I suspect I'd be inclined to say it's a risk knowingly taken and whilst there may be other parties involved in a road accident I can't believe 3rd party involvement in bike accidents due to lack of sleep in endurance races is a significant issue.

Mikey23

Not really fair to speculate until the facts are known. RIP