The man, identified by friends as Jim Oberholtzer, 82, of Arnold, was found unconscious on the trail near Evergreen and Old County roads in Severna Park around 3:30 p.m., said Division Chief Michael Cox, a county Fire Department spokesman.
Kim Schneider, a family friend, said Oberholtzer was riding on the trail when two bicyclists, riding side by side, came toward him at a high rate of speed. Oberholtzer went between the two...
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Elderly Cyclist critical crash (par - 2011-06-28 07:54:46
Dad is a Naval Academy graduate and had always been very physically active. The day of the accident, he loaded his bike into his convertible, drove to the park and began one of his favorite pastimes. Today, well, I won't go there.
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David Oberholtzer - , - Karma: Neutral
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Elderly Cyclist critical crash - 2011-06-28 07:52:44
Last September, this article appeared and at least one of the commenters questioned the source. The details of the accident came from me and the details fairly accurately reflect the information that I provided to the director of the Severna Park Community Center. I received those details from my father with whom I was speaking after he checked into Shock Trauma.
He has been cycling for many years and, maybe 10 years ago, rode in a cross country ride (Calif to Florida). He has a closet full of t-shirts from Vermont Cycle Tours and other such rides. He has taken my other brother's kids on rides with him and I was looking forward to him taking my kids on rides as well.
Sadly, that will never happen. If you have been following the progress of Congresswoman Giffords, dad has progressed somewhat beyond her state. This formerly eloquent speaker now struggles with completing sentences, though the completed thought is clearly there. Though he clearly knows about the therapies he is undergoing, he often cannot remember the actual word "therapy".
His 3 sons (me included) now travel from considerable distance to visit him where he now lives on a fairly regular basis. He used to be the one that came to visit us.
Yes, I hold resentment against the two apparent hot-dog cyclists that caused this accident, but I accept that they may not know they knocked him down. I have his bike and the mirror is slightly damaged on the opposite side of the bike from scrapes, presumably, from the fall. The rider may well have just barely clipped his mirror and, as most cyclists know, it takes very little push on the handlebars to throw off one's balance.
I thank the well wishers for their thoughts and regret to inform you that, not quite a year later, he will not be riding his bike again, may never drive again, has his sailboat up for sale and a variety of other significant life changes have caught up with him perhaps a decade earlier than they would have otherwise.
Dad
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David Oberholtzer - , - Karma: Neutral
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Sal - 2010-09-08 07:52:04
You're not far off except I stay away from the hard stuff. Beer and wine are my drinks of choice. And you'd be surprised, once you get used to it moderating can be kind of fun. But then I'm sure kindergarten teachers have fun sometimes too.
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Nick Lundskow - Annapolis, MD Staff
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Best wishes... - 2010-09-07 22:11:52
but its Strange that this happened at the B&O Trail. I would expect it in Annapolis, where a lot of bikers seem to be asking for it. Green types, insistently driving 10 feet off the curb when they're only doing 15 mph; driving in the street going over the Eastport Bridge, etc. When, after a hard day's work, I zip off 50 and whip into that left-handed turn off Rowe Boulevard, I expect it to be empty!
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Brandon Gates - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Poor old fellah - 2010-09-05 08:52:10
I hate hearing stuff about this sort of accident. I worked on the trail when I was a kid, and believe me, a lot of guys did break the 15 MPH speed limit. GWS, Mr. Olberholtzer!
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William H - annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent
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Jacob - 2010-09-04 09:24:23
Dude...I am soooo sorry I comment on a comment board. You are so right. That said, I like Nick and never complain about him. I picture him sitting in his office rubbing his temples with a tall drink of bourbon next to him. Patrolling these boards is like being a kindergarten teacher.
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Contest - 2010-09-04 02:37:35
Also do you and harry have contests to see who can post first on each story I'd like to join
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Jacob Smith - Annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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Mr.Bagnut - 2010-09-04 02:26:26
Who cares man. He's just a guy who works for a newspaper and runs or walks on a bike trail....really who cares. Are you a freak or something?
I don't know. I was just reading the news and saw your post about some guy you know nothing about...give the guy a break
Every one here knows this forum would go to hell in a handbasket if Nick wasn't the referee.
Im so sick of always reading comments complaining about Nick. If you werent an Idiot and didn't post something dumb it wouldn't get deleted.
that being said, watch this get deleted...
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Jacob Smith - Annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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AH HA! - 2010-09-04 00:55:29
A chink in Nick's armor. Nick revealed some personal tidbits because he got excited about biking. How do we use this information to take over the Capital comments section? Oh...I have PLANS! Coup d'etat is in the works!
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Salvatorre Bagatelli - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Trail - 2010-09-04 00:05:32
I use the trail in Arnold and SP quite a bit - mostly on foot. Many cyclists do go over the speed limit, although I generally don't think they're a problem. The fastest and best riders also seem to be the most careful and usually yell "passing on the left" as they approach.
The organized groups I've seen (even predawn) do ride side-by-side but quickly meld into a single line when approaching others.
A rider who wouldn't help someone they've just knocked over isn't a serious cyclist.
The bigger problem with that intersection with Evergreen is car traffic not watching out for people on the trail.
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Nick Lundskow - Annapolis, MD Staff
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Path courtesy - 2010-09-03 22:21:28
Path rules, posted at several locations along the path, specigy 1) the speed limit is 15mph and 2) no 2-abreast riding. If the "pro" biycle riders, in their oh-so-cool spandex racing outfits can't - or won't - respect these rules, they need to find somewhere else to ride where they will only endanger themselves. And I hope the morons who thought they were above the law are found and charged with assault.
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Michael Calo - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Excellent
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I'll take this one, Amy - 2010-09-03 20:43:01
When given a clean, wide and clear shoulder, I'll take that any old day over getting brushed by pickup truck mirrors and obscene drivers. Unfortunately, shoulders are the repository of glass, dead animals, junk, etc. But more than that, cyclists in our State are allowed on the road with cars, except on the interstates and designated parkways; we must obey the same rules as cars but sadly, many cyclists ride through stop signs, especially in a group - and you know the rest..One bad apple.. Starting October 1, motorists must allow cyclists three feet of spacing when passing.
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Mark Smith - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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Bicyclists - 2010-09-03 19:09:07
Kinda doesn't relate to this story but I've always wondered why bicyclists always find it necessary to ride so close to the line marking on the road rather than more on the shoulder? Aren't you all afraid you're going to get hit by a car?
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Amy Wickes - Stevensville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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chill, Mark - 2010-09-03 18:23:45
Good Lord, Mark. I think it is you who are judging and 'yodeling' here. Settle down and stick to what I wrote, don't make up things.
As a former pro-cycler, you should understand my post and the likelihood that the two side-by side cyclers hold more blame. I'm not getting into path etiquette 101 over this. If you're one of the people who doesn't abide by the rules, then yes, I'm talking about you. Taking this a little personal, huh?
Yes, I'm assuming the man is telling the truth. And if so, then the term 'imbeciles' applies. I mentioned the possiblity that he wasn't clipped. The man reported people were at least near him (clip or no clip) when he went down. My biggest issue is that no one stopped. If you witness someone fall - common decency tells you to assist that person. Nowhere in my post did I mention speed. I have NO problem with fast riders, just follow the rules and be courteous.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Get Well Soon - 2010-09-03 17:44:52
From one B&A trail rider to another, get well soon Mr.Oberholtzer.
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marie norcus - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Etiquette & Liability - 2010-09-03 16:52:14
I am a 'fast rider' on this trail. You can find it fairly open early morning. This story states victim was accompanied, so there is a witness. The trail is too narrow for two riders (on 1/2 the trail) to be traveling at speed. If the riders injured another, they are liable. You must be in control, individuals are responsible for their actions. This trail fills up with pedestrians, strollers and kids. You want to train, route two south of Annapolis is good to Calvert County line, great saturday morning.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Way to go Tyler... - 2010-09-03 16:29:34
Congratulations!!! You've arrested, arraigned and inprisoned those cyclists with the deft touch of your mighty pen-sword. To infer them as imbeciles makes you what? Let me ask you: were you a witness to this? How does anyone know for sure that Mr. Oberholtzer was "clipped", absent a true eyewitness or based soley of the "family friend" statement?
I am a former professional cyclist and ride the B&A trail daily. I care about bike eitiquette - are you referring to me too when you say "People don't care..."? I have little time for hit and run blog yodelers such as yourself who want to pidgeon-hole all fast recreational cyclists because a couple of fast riders alledgedly "clipped" another cyclist and your rush to judgement is only a badge for your lack of understanding and a testament to your shoot first mentality.
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Mark Smith - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good
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speed limit - 2010-09-03 14:17:43
It's been years since I rode on the trail but when I did I recall a speed limit of 15mph!
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Suzanne B - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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police comment & path use - 2010-09-03 13:34:58
"it is unknown if the bicyclists were aware they caused Oberholtzer to fall."
Seriously? You clip someone on bike, you feel it. You'd certainly know they went down. Even if you didn't clip the person and they went down remotely near you, you'd know it. Unless you have blaring earbuds in - which you shouldn't anyway because you're unaware of your surroundings and a danger to yourself and others. Regardless of what happened, they should have stopped.
People don't understand, or don't care about bike path etiquette. This shouldn't have happened. Safe to assume the two who were approaching him were at fault. However, he should have predicted the potential danger of their paths and stayed far right. Stop if he had to or divert further off to the right if able. Then yell like hell at their ignorant, dangerous conduct. Never travel between two riders.
I hope Mr. Oberholtzer makes a speedy recovery and is able to return to riding. I hope the imbeciles who tossed him with their carelessness read this article and are ashamed. I also hope they stay off the B&A trail until they learn how to properly use it.
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Tyler Johnson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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