2009-02-05 - Rider Down/Fatality, Notting Hill Gate

this is just so heartbreaking. So horrible. We'll be sending all our love and support for as long as it's needed. And then longer.xx

another one, when will it stop? Shame these don't get pubclised more on the mass media - if this was a kid walking to school it would be headline news

My deepest sympathies to Giles, family and friends.

I'm also a friend of Eilidh's and am blown away by all this support... I can't tell you how amazing it is for so many to empathise with those they've never met. It's very special, as is the cycle scene here in London... At moments like this I guess it needs to be. Thanks to you all and all of those that have kindly donated. Although I sadly won't be there for the memorial cycle I hope as many people as possible show up. I shall attempt to pull a few strings and get some press coverage... London needs to know that this is a sad reality and needs to be addressed, the more awareness the better.

Big love to Giles

Safe cycling everybody...

are there any details to what happened during the incident?

Eilidh

our arcs passed briefly and sporadically...
i know how much you meant to our mutual friends

rest in peace

I only just heard about this today from the other guys at Cavendish, and i've felt sad all day...and just reading these comments now has made me feel even sadder, but at the same time somewhat enlightened as to the sheer volume and sincereness of the support. Truely amazing.

Giles, i was working when you and Eilidh came in to Cavendish to choose her rims. And no, you didn't drive us mad, we always like nice people coming into the shop! She struck me as a lively and fun lady, and i know that's how you and everyone who knew her will remember her. My thoughts are with you and her family, i really couldn't imagine how i'd cope in the same situation. My stomach still feels like it's inside out.

I'll definitely be there for the memorial ride.

RIP Eilidh.

I drove past Notting hill and saw tons of flowers and words - she obviously has loads of people who care and miss her. So sorry to hear about your loss. Stay strong.

Ma and Clare hope to be there on the 7th to place our flowers xxxx

...you can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she lived,
you can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
or you can open them and see all she has left.
you can remember her and only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on,
...do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on
( after David Harkins )

it's so hard to say something about this... condolences to her family and beloved... really really sad...

My thoughts are with you and her family mate. RIP

Reading this with tears in my eyes... Miles away from you people of London but thinking of you all and what a caring site this is. Deepest sympathies on your loss Velcro and RIP Eilidh

I still get tears in my eyes every time I come back to this thread, so I can't even begin to imagine how Eilidh's nearest and dearest must be feeling. I hope that, if nothing else, you're getting some small comfort from the fact that so many people care.

I haven't been able to bring myself to look at this thread until now - this is a terrible thing to have to endure. Let us hope and pray that her loss will save the lives of others. My thoughts are with you, velcro, and with Eilidh and her friends and family. I'm so so sorry for your loss.

Sad news Giles, condolences to you and both your family's

are there any details to what happened during the incident?

I feel very strongly that this is no place to speculate on what happened. The family and close friends are reading what appears here. I would imagine that they have enough to deal with right now, without us adding to that.

I sent out some links to You Tube videos taken by other riders of dangerous behaviour of both cyclists and HGVs to everyone on my cycle user group at work.
Tragically, a colleague of mine was killed by an HGV last year - I found out about it here from eyewitness reports reproduced in the thread. I wrote to everyone I could think of at the time (the Mayor, my MP, the London Assembly) and it helped me think that perhaps something positive could come from such a tragedy, but to see two deaths already this year is really, really hard.

I'll be on the ride, not because I knew Eilidh - we never met, but because we are all brothers and sisters out there on the road, so we are all family.

I feel very strongly that this is no place to speculate on what happened. The family and close friends are reading what appears here. I would imagine that they have enough to deal with right now, without us adding to that.

i'm not asking for speculation, just what happened. myself and others cycle past there alot.

It's largely inknown dogs, it was between junctions and just past roadworks so very careless lane changing. the hearing is due at Westminsters in the near future. maybe more will come out.
Lets just hope if it was dangerous driving he is scentenced accordingly

cool.

I've been lurking here on LFGSS for a while, today I'm making my first post. Velcro's update was really moving, and a beautiful picture he posted. I'll admit to welling up a bit when reading it.

The whole situation is tragic, and I am inspired by Velcro's post and the togetherness of the locals in this forum.

I will try and come for the ride in March.

Nick

Oh my god, I've just realised after my work sent an email around, and seeing the photo, that I work in the same company and had met her. It's like hearing the news for the first time again. weird how you hear about it in one context and don't make the association. very sad.

Such sad, horrible news. I hope that Giles and all those that loved Eilidh can summon the strength they need to get through this awful time, and that she is in a better place right now. I didn’t know her, so can only imagine how they must be feeling, but you couldn’t help but notice her bike about the place. It’ll be sadly missed, rest in peace.

No internet of a fortnight, only just read this. Terrible. Giles, so sorry to hear.

So sorry for your loss!