A painful reminder

Our thoughts and prayers go out today to our friends and colleagues at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C., and to the family and friends of Carla Swart. Swart, who signed with HTC-Highroad this past fall, died today after being hit by a truck while training in South Africa.

According to the report from Cyclingnews.com:

The 23-year-old Swart was riding on the road to Marquard in the central Freestate province of South Africa when a truck slammed into her.

Barry Austin, Cycling South Africa’s team manager who saw the accident happen, said Swart turned around right in front of the oncoming truck moments after she had lost her cycling computer.

“I could see how the driver slammed on his breaks. He even swerved to the right so as to avoid smashing into Swart, but it was to no avail. The truck hit Swart full on, flinging her into the air,” Austin said.

Swart died before she reached the hospital.

According to Austin, Swart was doing time trialing exercises when the accident happened.

Swart was born in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa but moved to the USA with her family when she was 15. She represented South Africa in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, finishing eighth in the road race as the top South African finisher.

She was a multi-discipline US collegiate champion in 2008 and finished eighth in the 2010 Ronde Van Drenthe World Cup. She also won the best young rider's award in the Tour de L'Aude stage race and finished 10th in the women's race at the road world championship in Australia.

HTC-Highroad posted a moving message on the team's website: "Carla, in such a short time you became part of our family and touched us all with your vibrant personality and your constant smile. You infected us with your zest for life and we will forever have you in our hearts. Our wishes go out to Carla's family and loved ones."

Deon Swart, the father of Carla, wrote the following on her facebook wall. "Carla's dad here. We all know Carla has claimed her place in Heaven. She was in a cycling accident today in South Africa while training. Thanks to everyone that was so involved in her life and career. RIP Carla. What more can I say at this stage."

Be careful out there.

Freezin' for a Reason

As we did last year, members of the Red Hawks Cycling team and I will be jumping into the frigid and murky waters of Lake Winnebago this February. This year, we've challenged College President David Joyce to join us for the 2011 Polar Plunge in Oshkosh, Wis. Joyce has agreed to participate as part of the event's "Toss Your Boss" event Friday, Feb. 18. Joyce will take the plunge if the team raises at least $1,500 to support Special Olympics of Wisconsin. So we need your support!

Last year Ripon cyclists Andy Fehrenbach, Paul Meuer, Eric Smith and Head Coach Ric Damm joined nearly 2,000 participants who jumped into Lake Winnebago at Millers Bay near Menominee Park in Oshkosh.

This year's Oshkosh event is one of 12 throughout the state being organized to raise funds for Special Olympics. According to the Special Olympics Wisconsin Web site, money raised through the Polar Plunge provides funding for nearly 10,000 athletes with cognitive disabilities.

Special Olympics Wisconsin is a statewide organization providing persons with cognitive disabilities year-round sports training and competition. Individuals who are at least eight years old and are identified as having a cognitive disability are eligible for participation. With seven Area offices throughout the state, Special Olympics Wisconsin serves nearly 10,000 athletes in nearly 189 communities statewide. Special Olympics Wisconsin is one of the 50 state programs and one of nearly 200 countries providing this opportunity to more than one million athletes worldwide.

Donations to Special Olympics Wisconsin on behalf of the Ripon cycling team can be made via our pledge site. Checks made payable to "Special Olympics Wisconsin" also can be sent to Ric Damm at Ripon College, PO Box 248, Ripon WI 54971-0248. For more information, e-mail dammr@ripon.edu.

7th Annual Ride for Rosita Coming Jan. 22

The seventh annual Super Spin Saturday: Ride for Rosita will be held Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the newly renovated YMCA in Fond du Lac (90 West Second Street). I'm pretty sure I've attended all six to date, and this year promises to be the biggest and best to date. If you haven't been to one yet (and even if you have) make plans to attend this year.

Participants from six-year-old beginners to pros are welcome to spin for one hour or up to four hours. A limited number of stationary spin bikes will be available, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes and stationary trainer or rollers. If you don't have a trainer, some will be available for use with your bike.

Every participant will receive a free one-week membership at the Fond du Lac YMCA. Plus, $1,000 worth of prizes will be awarded in various categories for most money raised.

Cost to participate is $5 per hour or a flat fee of $15 per individual or $25 per couple or family. United Hearts for Health volunteers will once again serve their very tasty homemade energy bars (worth the cost of admission alone!). To support the cause, you also are encouraged to raise additional money through pledges. All checks should be made payable to “United Hearts for Health/Holy Family.” Download the registration form.

The Red Hawks will once again be leading an hour of spinning beginning at noon.

Super Spin Saturday is a fund-raising event to support United Hearts for Health (UHH) and its health care efforts in Rosita, Nicaragua. The first group of Fond du Lac medical missionaries traveled to Rosita in 2003. The health care system they found was in a dire crisis. The hospital infrastructure was rotting away, the laboratory facilities were inadequate for diagnosis, dental equipment was inadequate and the infant and maternal mortality rates were — and remain — among the highest in the world.

Since 2003, a new hospital has been built and a new well drilled to provide potable water to the hospital and its patients. Fond du Lac health care providers have treated more than 600 patients in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, that number rose to more than 1,200 in Rosita and at two nearby satellite locations. Every year the cost of medicine and supplies goes up, and UHH relies heavily on donors to help us purchase the type and amount of medicine and supplies needed to treat patients effectively. The cost of medication alone was over $10,000 in 2009.

For more information, including a photo gallery from last year's Super Spin event, visit the United Hearts for Health Web site or call 920-921-6021.

You can also check out the Ride for Rosita on facebook.