RAGBRAI rider dies of Thursday injuries
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 | by Regina Zilbermints
RAGBRAI rider Stephen Briggs died this afternoon from the injuries he suffered in Thursday morning’s collision.
He was 68.
Stephen Briggs (SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER)
Briggs, of Waverly, was riding in a group when he collided with another bike and was thrown off. He was flown to Mercy Medical center – North Iowa in Mason City with a head injury.
He died today at 3:35 p.m.
Briggs was a caring man, his daughter, Karen Moore, said.
“My ringtone, when he calls my phone, is ‘Superman,’” she said. “Because he’s always there for anyone, anytime.”
He loved riding his bike, loved RAGBRAI, and was an experienced rider. He’d ridden the entire RAGBRAI route five times and parts of the route at least five more.
“I had to stop and realize that if he had to go, he went doing something he absolutely loved to do,” Moore said. “One minute he was riding his bike, the next he went to heaven.”
Moore said doctors attempted surgery, but there was too much swelling around his brain.
Briggs was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, in which he clipped the tire of the bicyclist in front of him.
It wasn’t a major collision, Moore said, but was enough to send him off his bike.
The 68-year-old had retired from 40 years in the printing industry.
He was riding with the No Name Bike Club, and several other members were at the hospital today.
He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
Moore was waiting at the hospital for Iowa Donor Network representatives to arrive.
“We hope this tragedy can bring life to someone else,” she said. “That’s what he would have wanted. That’s the kind of person he was.”
* * * * * *
In a separate incident, a RAGBRAI rider was injured Friday when he was struck by a car in Washburn in eastern Iowa.
The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened just before 12:30 p.m. Friday. It says the car was turning left when it collided with the bicycle.
The bicyclist, 49-year-old Mohammed Al-Marima, of Bloomington, Ill., suffered a shoulder injury as well as cuts to his right leg. He was taken to a Waterloo hospital.
The driver of the car, 25-year-old Joshua Dunt, of Raymond, Iowa, was charged with failure to yield on a left turn.
Black Hawk County deputies also responded to five other accidents Thursday and Friday in which RAGBRAI riders suffered minor injuries after losing control of their bikes.
The Associated Press contributed the second part of this report.
Deepest regrets.
I also hope the little 1 pound baby who was induced by his mother on Thursday while riding 70 miles makes it. Poor little guy came out 4 months early.
Seems to me folks that pregnant women, at least nearing the third trimester should probably skip Ragbrai for a year.
Poor little guy will probably never get thc chance to ride Ragbrai himself now. I hear the DHS want to interview his mother on monday. Oh well, best of luck friends.
I had talked to Steve before he left to go on RAGBRAI. He said he was going on the ride for the entire week. I asked him if he was part of a team and he said yes the “No Name Team”. He proudly proceeded to tell me how the name was acquired and had a special sparkle in his eye when talking about it. I could tell he was really looking forward to RAGBRAI. I told him how impressed I was that he was doing it. I was saddened to hear about his bike accident and prayed hard that he would recover. My heart goes out to his friends and family. What a shock! I will truely miss his cheerful smile and personality as he would come into the Clarksville Post Office to pick up mail and make a point to say hello.
May God’s peace be with you. Steve (aka Superman) was great guy and that makes it even more difficult to understand. We only beleive God needed him more. “Have a good ride Steve.”
I’m so sorry to hear about Mr. Briggs’ death. I rode past the accident and saw several riders tending to him. I had hoped for the best…this is truly a tragedy and I will be praying for him and his family. God Bless.
I crashed big time 9 months ago and have no regrets because I was also doing something I love to do. Mr. Briggs left this world doing something he loved and now is riding on the Great Bike Ride Across Heaven. Peace to his friends and family.
Stink,
The little baby was 1 pound 9 ounces, he was three months early, and the doctors told the mother that the ride was not the cause, that the baby was coming early no matter what. She rode one day, rested the next and went in to labor that night.
My boyfriend and I had a pancake breakfast with Steve and his wife on Tuesday morning at the Wesley fire station. He was so proud that the route would be going through his home town and it was a pleasure to hear him speak about his love for Iowa and RAGBRAI. May he find plenty a road to pedal in heaven.
My deepest sympathies to Mr. Briggs’ family and friends and to his teammates on Team No Name.
I had the pleasure of conversing with Steve on Tuesday before Clear Lake. He was very enjoyable to chat with and my deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.
Steve was an agent for us for the last year and a half at Insphere Insurance Solutions. He was always positive and always trying to help the client. Steve will be missed.
Dan Cheloha, Agency Manager
Insphere Insurance Solutions
We saw the helicopter leaving from the scene on Thursday. We knew it was something really bad b/c the helicopter only comes when it’s bad. It was very scary. We were praying for the person in the helicopter. So sad.
Want to extend my sympathy to the Briggs family and friends. I’m an avid cyclist and have ridden RAGBRAI.
Peace,
Sheila
folks were battling this over at the puntz website. it was beginning to turn out to be a heated topic.
I knew Steve through his son. He was always so positive and a great guy. My prayers to his family. I am sorry to hear of this accident. I am sure he will be missed.
I commonly don’t write comments on posts, but your write-up urged me to commend your writings. Thanks for writing this, I am going to absolutely well-liked your website and arrive back as soon as in awhile. Pleased blogging.
Should be suing RAGBRAI.
Why should anyone sue RAGBRAI? We know the risks when we ride. He clipped the tire of the person ahead of him. It happens and is a terrible tragedy. If you can’t take the risk, don’t ride. My deepest sympathies went to the family at the time. I lost a friend in a biking accident. It is very sad and doesn’t need nonsense thrown in.
Never could understand WHY bike helmets do not cover more of the side of the head instead of just the top(little protection) They only protect the top of the head and who when they fall, falls on top of their head???
I’m a thirteen time veteran, and understand the risk – terrible tragedy, but “Truth” who wants to sue, is an example of what threatens RAGBRAI and other similar events – thinking the answer to all that goes wrong is to sue. Shame on him (or her). And may Mr. Briggs enjoy tailwinds and downhills wherever he is.
Thoughts and PRayers to the Brigg’s Family. Please people do not bring sueing into this. How silly would that be? It isn’t the answer for everything.
Prayers be with you at your time of lose.