June 24, 2005 One of the country’s top long-distance cyclists was killed Thursday after apparently swerving into the path of a truck midway through a cross-country race.
Bob Breedlove, a 53-year-old orthopedic surgeon from Des Moines, Iowa, was among the top riders in the Race Across America (RAAM) when he slumped over his bike and crossed into the path of oncoming pickup truck near Trinidad, Colorado, according to race officials.
“He was an immensely popular person in the RAAM world,” said Paul Skilbeck, spokesman for the race. “Everybody loved Bob Breedlove. There is a real sense of loss.”
Breedlove, a longtime amateur cyclist with five previous top-ten finishes in the race, was leading the 50-and-older category when the accident occurred.
In 1989, Breedlove set a record for the fastest double-crossing of the United States, in just over 22 days. His nine-day, 19-hour effort in the 2002 Race Across America set a master’s record for a single crossing, according to Ultracycling.com.
He is survived by Gretchen, his wife of 30 years, and four children.
The annual Race Across America drew 130 cyclists this year for a 3,000-mile ride from San Diego to Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Breedlove’s death is the second fatality in race history, according to Skilbeck. In 2003, rider Brett Malin, 30, was killed in New Mexico after turning in front of an 18-wheeler at the end of a relay lap. Roadways are not closed for the race.
Check back with Outside Online Monday for a story on Breedlove by friend and writer Stuart Stevens.
