SART (Remembering Robert)

Edit: Still in disbelief, I did some searching on the net and found this :-(


ORANGE – A 43-year-old Anaheim man who died after he crashed into a tree has been identified as Robert Armas, authorities said.
Armas was driving in the 200 block of West Katella Avenue just west of Glassell Street shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree on the roadside, police said.

Armas was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he was pronounced dead several hours later, according to Orange County Coroner's Office officials.

Wow, this is hard to believe. Some of you may remember Mad_One (Robert) as one of our ride partners and friends that rode with us for quite some time on SART (09 and then some).  Well he had some problems with a brain tumor about 2 years ago, cancer. He received medical treatment and was doing better. But doc's orders, no driving or riding. So he rode the bus to work for quite some time. He had just gotten a new car and a new condo just around the corner form A Stadium right before discovering the tumor.

So we kept in touch then later became friends on facebook. He couldn't ride but said that he hoped to get well soon. About 5 months ago he lost one of his friends to cancer and her death hit him pretty hard. But still he continued to keep in touch with hopes to ride again with us on SART.

His birthday was in early May so I posted on his wall a Happy Birthday. He didn't respond but a couple days later he posted on his wall, "I could really use a Ding Dong right now." I didn't think anything of it but after finding the sad news Saturday night, I'm thinking this might have been one of his last days and a last chance to post. The good bye's were posted on his Facebook page on May 21'st.

This morning Gina and I were talking about our rides with Mad_One back in the day. I thought it was strange that I hadn't heard from him in a while so I looked at his FB page only to find the sad news. A few comments and good bye's from friends and relatives. So sad, Robert was a very cool guy and always happy to be on the bike.


I just can't believe it, losing good buddies and fellow riders to cancer.:-(

                                                                We'll miss you Robert! :(

                                        
                              



So today Gina and I rode alone so we had a chance to stop and remember Robert and the times we had on the trail. Gina being the sensitive soul shed a few tears for Robert. As well as remembering our other buddy Boyd, then Gina's Dad and step mother all within the last 3 or 4 months.


We rode alone but did get a chance to ride with Jack the 80 year old stud on his recumbent (in video). I've told the story before. We met Jack when he was 65 and he was a super fast rider on his upright. Also a cancer survivor and still riding his bent. It's like this guy just wants to ride!







                                                                         Today's pit stop!

                                   See, now in my opinion, if this gal invested in a better bike, I don't
                                             think she'd  need to walk her bike up the little inclines.