Mountain biking is usually a safe sport, resulting in nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises.
Yet for the second time in less than ten days, a mountain biker has been killed riding on an off-road trail in the Inland Empire.
According to KABC-7, 43-year old Long Beach resident Sokha Pho was found dead today in a remote region off the Raptor Ridge Trail in Carbon Canyon Regional Park, just over the San Bernardino County line from Orange County.
However, KCBS-2 places the location in Chino Hills State Park.
The station reports he had gone riding yesterday morning, and relatives called authorities when he did not return as expected yesterday afternoon. Rescuers from Orange and San Bernardino Counties conducted a search by foot, vehicle and air before spotting his body around 2:30 pm, suffering from obvious signs of trauma.
Commenters on a member’s only Facebook group said the trail, which is normally safe, was overgrown with foliage and virtually impassible; one rider told me she decided not to ride the trail yesterday because she couldn’t get through the overgrowth.
This is the 14th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the first in San Bernardino County.
Correction: KABC-7 originally identified the trail as Rafter Ridge, rather than Raptor Ridge. I’ve changed the story to reflect the correct location. Thanks to Bob for the catch.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Sokha Pho and all his loved ones.
Thanks to Lois for the heads-up.
It is Raptor Ridge, not Rafter Ridge.
Thanks. KABC misidentified the trail in the initial report. I’ve made the correction.