Sad news from the Inland Empire, as a mountain bike rider has been found dead following a fall on a Riverside County trail.
According to the Idyllwild Town Crier, the body of 57-year old Pinyon resident James Thomas was discovered on nearby trail around 8 pm Sunday.
He had been riding downhill on a dirt trail two-tenths of a mile southwest of California 74 and Pinon Flats Transfer Station Road around 1:55 pm, when he apparently lost control after hitting a rocky patch.
Thomas suffered significant head injuries, despite wearing a helmet. He was found by a hiker about six hours later.
The story does not report how the authorities can be so specific in pinpointing the time of the crash.
This should serve as a tragic reminder to always tell someone where you’re going, and give them a time when you’ll be back.
This is the 68th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the eighth in Riverside County. He is the second SoCal trail rider to be killed in a solo fall since the first of the year.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for James Thomas and his family.
