Two Tucson cyclists died last week and BICAS is remembering them both through ghost bikes and memorials.
The first, Gary Evans, known by most in the cycling community as the Gray Wolf. Police found Evans in his home and do not suspect foul play.
Evans’ friend Chet Ajsenberg said Evans was certainly a character who was often misunderstood.
“He was a really caring person that a lot of people misunderstood because of his riding etiquette,” Ajsenberg said.
He said he was a really kind person who would. “crack you up and get you through any hardship.”
Evans moved from Idaho where he was a golf pro several years ago in part to get away from the winters.
Professional cyclist Thomas Jondall remembered the help Evans gave him when he was younger.
“He helped me out when I was a kid,” Jondall said. He saw the situation I was in and realized he could help me out.”
Jondall echoed the sentiment that he was often misunderstood.
“When it came down to it, her was a good guy and cycling was his outlet.”
BICAS is decorating a ghost bike to remember the Gray Wolf. Here’s a snippet from their Facebook post:
We will be decorating a ghost bike for him starting tomorrow, Saturday June 21st, and ALL WEEK at BICAS. Please join us and bring your puffy paint, glitter, gold & wolf stickers! Spread the word.
The second cyclist, Kris Chambers, was killed early Wednesday riding her bike on Speedway Boulevard when a driver, allegedly high, ran a red light and struck Chambers from behind.
Her family released the following statement about Chambers’ death.
There are no words to describe what the family is feeling right now. Kris’ promising, young life was ended much, much too soon. It was a needless tragedy. It never should have happened. And, if the media reports are accurate, it’s another sad example of an irresponsible, unthinking driver who was impaired by drugs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kris Chambers’ name to Bicycle Inter Community Art & Salvage (BICAS); 44 W. 6th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85705
According to Chambers’ website, she had lived in Tucson for seven years and was a massage therapist. In her profile on her website she said she was from the Bay Area, but loved Tucson and spent her free time, outdoors cycling and hiking.
BICAS is holding a memorial for Chambers on Tuesday night.
Here are the details from BICAS’ page:
The Tucson cycling community and any others who are grieving from the tragedy of yesterday morning’s fatal bike accident are invited to the BICAS parking lot for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Kris on Tuesday evening at sunset (about 7:30).
We will update this as details solidify, but please start sharing far and wide both within and beyond the biking community.
Kris was an amazingly compassionate and dynamic friend, neighbor, and community member. Her loss is truly devastating, but we can’t get through it alone. Let’s begin the healing together.