British Champion killed training.

[Andrew G]

More sad news from Britain's roads.

[quote]
Jason MacIntyre - Fatal Accident

One of Britain’s leading cyclists was killed today while out training near his home in Fort William. Jason MacIntyre, a three-time British champion and Scottish record holder, was training on the A82 road when he was hit by a vehicle, said to be a council vehicle which overtook him and then turned into his path. The 34-year old was airlifted from the scene but died on his way to hospital in Glasgow.

Jason represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, enjoyed arguably his best season in 2007. He beat the national ten-mile record, held by Graeme Obree, with a stunning time of 18 minutes, 47 seconds. He also won the British 25-mile title for the second time and was leading Tour de France star David Millar in the Olympic time trial title race until a puncture ended his challenge.

He was known to be highly motivated for the 2008 season, and had spoken not only of another tilt at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, but also of possible selection for the Beijing Olympics this summer. Last week he was one of the riders selected by the Braveheart Cycling Fund to receive significant financial backing for the coming season.

Jason showed early promise from the age of eighteen, when he took up the sport, and he soon became a regular Scottish team member. He represented Scotland in the Irish FBD Milk Ras and the Tour of the North which he won at the age of 23. In more recent years he became a time trialling specialist, winning three British titles against the clock.

Jason achieved great success in difficult circumstances, both geographical and personal. Living in Fort William added significantly to the demands of competition at a high level. He and his wife Caroline had twin girls, now eight, one of whom had a medical condition that required constant care. In recent years Jason had fitted training and racing around his commitments as her full-time carer.

In such circumstances, he found that time trialling was an easier discipline to pursue than road racing, and it was only in recent seasons that his considerable talent began to bloom more fully. In his thirties he seemed to be improving each year, regularly beating riders who were part of the lottery-funded British squad and earning a comparison, from one cycling magazine, to “a modern-day comic book hero.”

Graeme Herd, the former national coach who managed MacIntyre at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, said:“There’s no doubt Jason was one of the most talented riders to come out of Scotland in the last decade, if not longer. He achieved an incredible amount of success, and enjoyed a very good career, in challenging circumstances. It is a tragic waste that he has lost his life at such a young age.”

[Toks]

Damn! thats absolutely tragic news! Wasn't he the fella that was a good few seconds up against Millar in the National TT last year before puncturing.

[-Adam-]

Obviously my thoughts are with his family, who by the sounds of it will miss hime dearly. Him being the full time carer for his sick daughter, as well as training as well as he obviously did.

I hope given his profile that the driver is appropriately sanctioned. My biggest fear in cycling is not crashing in a race, depsite the injuries I know about first hand. But being hit by a vehicle, and while just out training is truly a scary thought. Is cycling on the open road worth ones life? The authorities that can make the difference really ought to sit up for once and make the difference their put in place to do. The circumstances of the accident sound all to familiar also, a vehicle overtaking and cutting in too close, we've all had it.

Take care guys.

[Toks]

Well said Adam, everytime i read about a cyclist being killed on the road it literally fills me with fear for a few moments. If you crash its statistically very unlikely you'll die but being hit by a vehicle definitley changes those odds quite drastically. May Jason Macintyre rest in peace - condolences to his family.

[Stu Merckx Man]

ive had this sort of thing happen to me a lot (and im sure most of you have too), when drivers over take only to turn in front of you...only i have not been hurt by it touch wood. what really gets me fuming about this, is that some drivers feel its worth the risk of injuring or killing us in order to get to their destination a few seconds quicker.

its so sad when this sort of thing happens, and like toks it instills some fear in me too, realising just how vulnerable i am, and all of us are on the roads.

[Gavin]

Terrible I had a nasty accident about a year ago and have only started cycling a lot more recently and this is the sort of thing that really scares me.

I know if I have another bad accident I probably will give up cycling.

When the world around you makes you make decisions like that it is a sad reflection on society.

[kieran]

My thoughts go out to his family, two children deprived of a loving father because of someones carelessness. Is it my imagination or have more cyclists been killed recently (or just better reporting)Also how many good cyclists has the UK lost recently on the open roads?

It's all too possible to happen to us, just riding home last night I had a car cut me up at a roundabout (despite a lumicycle front light and high viz jacket). That's part of the problem no mattter how careful you are you still depend on others being just as careful, and safe in their vehicles drivers not as aware of the dangers as others.

[Andrew G]

He is the guy who was up on Millar in the National TT until he punctured.

I think you're right Kieran there certainly seem to be more getting hit. I think there are also more cyclists on the roads so I don't know if the percentage has gone up. Hopefully this might be a bit more high profile (although you'd hope that wasn't needed) and stop them introducing the lunatic legislation that was going to make knocking people off on bikes in your car punished by community service because the prisons are full up.

[Toks]

Still on the topic of four-wheeled cycling killers, guys if you can possibly help it don't swear at drivers (you know the four letter word stuff) cause it can lead to attempts on your life.

While on a training ride some weeks back in Richmond Park another cyclist told me how a van driver completely lost his rag having been given the middle finger for eratic driving and mounted the pavement in his van to mow this cyclist down. I've also had a similar thing happen to me a couple of years ago where someone tried to corner me with their car when I gave him a mouth full of swear words for cutting me up.

I'm not saying I don't now shout and holla at idiots in charge of four wheels but I absolutely try not to swear. In a small minority of people it provokes an all out attack mentality and they'll use whatever they can to get back at you. Its scary enough on the roads as it is without being isolated with some nut case who literally wants to take you out with his car

[mark mclaughlin]

Such tragic news to hear about such a talented individual. My thoughts are with all his family and friends.

I don't know if anyone caught the BBC breakfast news this morning, they mentioned the death of Jason MacIntyre as one of Scotland's top cyclists and then showed a picture of Graeme Obree!!

[Paul H]

I think the problem is that the Police either do not have the time or are interested in making the roads safer. The speed cameras are for making money and has reduced the number of patrol cars. This means you can easily get away with cutting up cyclists and driving dangerously without any chance of being caught.

[George]

The problem is the attitude of the drivers. All speed cameras do is slow the cars down for that section of road, which is more dangerous because the drivers brake suddenly and then accelerate afterwards, indeed they do just generate money for the council.

Drivers are too aggressive the dangerous ones are too selfish and impatient, if you look at traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and chicanes, what they actually do is agitate the drivers and make them more mad.

Traffic lights are dangerous too because it stops the drivers from thinking by themselves and making their own judgments, if the lights are not working then the flow of the traffic is better and drivers are more cautious and courteous.

Drivers don't see or think of cyclists as humans, they just see us as an irritation getting in the way and slowing them down, but if it was their own son or daughter riding along then they would drive more carefully, also at junctions car drivers are looking for other cars, their brains don't seem to register a bicycle.

The attitude of car drivers needs to be addressed, so they all chill out and stop being a bunch of see you next tuesdays.

[Tamar]

This is just terrible news. His family must be in absolute pieces.

It's not just car drivers who need to be more considerate though...all the people who cycle like tw*ts just give the car drivers the 'excuse' they're looking for. It's not so much about drivers v cyclists as it is about rude, aggressive, selfish or simply careless elements in society versus the considerate, careful, agreeable types.

Oh I don't even want to think what his family are going through. It's just too awful to imagine.

[Sylv]

What can you say

[quote="Toks"]Still on the topic of four-wheeled cycling killers, guys if you can possibly help it don't swear at drivers (you know the four letter word stuff) cause it can lead to attempts on your life.

[Graham O]

This is such a sad thing. There have been quite a few high profile cyclists seriously hurt or killed in the last couple of years.

I came very close once, so this really makes me think...

I was riding down a dual carraige way when I heard a screech from behind. A car the clippped my handlebars and span in front of me. The guy said he didn't see me. It was a clear dual carraigeway and I was wearing quite a bright top. Basically, he was either on the phone or messing with his radio or something...

I just try to stay away from really busy roads (i.e. dual carraigeways) and try to make sure that I ride defensively.....

If you saw the TV programme last week, you will know not to go anywhere near the inside of buses or lorries...