Today I was informed of the sudden loss of my cousin, Ronald Barelds, whom was killed in a biking accident while on vacation with his family in France. (Ronald is the cyclist in blue in this picture holding the flowers) Ronald was cycling in France and apparently was hit by a car head on. We are still waiting on more details of what exactly happened. Even though I have had hardly any contact with Ronald and his family since I have moved away, I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. Ronald was an avid cyclist and has been since I remember. I have read on-line about many races he has won and participated in and he was just a superb athlete. He loved it!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and two children, his brother Marnix, and my aunt, whom I just wish I could give a big hug to right now. The loss of a child is something I just can't even think about.
All I want to say to everyone in training, is please be careful on those hills while you're biking. You can be as experienced of a cyclist as my cousin and still run into an unfortunate situation in an instant. Remember, you all have family who loves you and we want you around for a very long time!! Be careful, wear your helmets and your Road ID's!!! (Ronald did not have ID on him. Only a cell phone and so the French Police had to dial the last number he had dialed, which was his mother who doesn't speak french. Imagine the confusion and hysteria at that moment) God Bless everyone and please be careful. Greetings from "saddened" San Diego. :0(
Update:While descending a mountain, Ronald was caught off guard by an on-coming vehicle which was driving in the wrong lane. Everyone is being strong and trying to get through this horrible ordeal. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone there now, in France, trying to deal with this and trying to make arrangements for him to be taken home.
1 comment:
Hi Marion and Jose...
Reading this I had to cry, I cannot imagine loosing a child.
although I have not seen Ronald in a long time I feel for the family deeply. I run into his mom and Klaas sometimes and they are always nice. They have already been through so much. I don't know what to say, it's a tragedy.
Be careful and take care of each other!
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