Friends and family are mourning the death of Ed Praitis, who died Tuesday during a lunchtime bike ride in Redmond.
Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones.
According to a post on the Cascade Bicycle Club blog, Praitis slid out after riding over wet pine needles while heading downhill on Union Hill Road in Redmond. He slid into oncoming traffic and died immediately.
His racing team PCP Racing posted the following on their Facebook page:
We lost our teammate and good friend Ed Praitis tonight to a training accident on his bike. Ed was new to cycling but his passion for it was that of someone who rode all their life. He will be missed surely and our team is missing a great figure.
More details from Cascade Bicycle Club:
Ed Praitis passed away yesterday after being struck by a van during a lunchtime ride. Ed and his teammates were coming down Union Hill into Redmond when Ed slid out on wet pine needles, lost control and slid into oncoming traffic.
He died instantly.
Ed was new to cycling but his passion for it was that of someone who had ridden their whole life. He rode the Seattle to Portland twice and was a member of the PCP Racing team.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the racing community.
Comments
20 responses to “Cascade: Man dies during lunchtime ride in Redmond”
This is really just sad. It seems that there is no one at fault, no blame at all. I feel for his family. I can only hope that we all learn something from this, and ride a little safer and care a little more for each other.
While this is one of the few actual accidents (as opposed to collisions) that has impacted a cyclist and their family/community, if the route the riders were on is anything like the bike lanes and roads I commute on, the city is most likely at fault.
There are long stretches and piles of blow-down (leaves, needles, even branches), in addition to all the usual debris, clogging the roads since the wind storm last month. After weeks of being continually ignored, these hazards are only getting increasingly slick and dangerous.
Ed is the father of a very close friend of mine. This accident is unfair under the eyes of any. I never got to meet Mr. Praitis, but his son claimed him to be an amazing father; he will be missed greatly. Hold onto your loved ones – whether friends or family – as if you’ll never see them again, because one day, you won’t.
Ed is my cousin. He sure was a great man and the family is going to miss him sorely. I can only pray for comfort for his wife, his children, his mom, dad, and sisters. Our grandma is going to be devastated I’m sure.
My friend and I arrived within minutes of the accident. We wish to give our heartfelt condolences to Ed’s family and friends. He has been in our every thought since we came upon him. We hope you can take comfort in knowing that he did not suffer. We are happy to now know his name and to communicate our deepest sympathies.
this tears me up. I met Ed for the first time early this year on a snowy winter morning commute on the 520 bike path climb. Those that ride, commute in the area probably know this popular hill well. I was pushing a decent pace up it only to hear a rush and see a guy fly by, I managed to jump on his wheel and we had a great time pushing each other up the hill in the wintery conditions, laughing and smiling at the top. Ed introduced himself, it was like meeting a mythical creature having admired Ed’s ridiculously fast times on that hill (he currently holds the record out of thousands of logged efforts). Just a really great, genuine guy filled with a passion for cycling which many of us share. I wish I got to know him better. I’m sure he is deeply missed by many. RIP Ed.
We grieve for my sweet nephew-it is a loss that will leave a deep scar in our hearts. An exemplary husband, a very caring father. This world has lost a special human being.
We cling to each other as a close family for strength and depend on our faith to carry us through this very difficult time. We are grateful for the time that we shared with Ed on this earth and believe that his exemplary life will shed light and show us the way to get through this very very difficult time. Farewell dear Eddy,
Aunt Jurate and Don
To our dear family: You are in our hearts, we pray for the strength and love to support each of you in this difficult time. God’s peace embrace.
Nunez Family
May the good Lord comfort his sweet wife, children, mother, father and his entire family!
Remember to say I love you more often and hug each other as often as we can, for you never know when your time will come….
May he rest in peace…….
Your loving aunt,
LILLY
Very sorry to hear that I first met Ed during a cascade free ride in May and we did two other rides with a another club, very friendly and down to earth person. Very sad news about his passing.
I’m still in shock after hearing the news today. Ed came in to our restaurant every Saturday after long bike rides with his sons. It didn’t matter what the weather was, they always arrived to the restaurant on their bikes. Many times his beautiful wife would join them. He was so proud of the boy’s accomplishments both on the field and on their bikes. Saturdays will never be the same without him :( My heart goes out to his family.
Ed and I played soccer together in Omaha when we were young. Even though much time has since passed and we lost touch over the years, I still remember him as always being positive with a smile on his face… a person anyone would be proud to call their friend and teammate. I just heard the news on Ed and would like to pass along my condolences to his family.
I too knew Ed from playing soccer as kids and later as classmates in high school. I always considered him a tough competitor in everything he did and I’m sure he approached cycling with the same tenacity. I am heartbroken for his family and offer my prayers to Ed’s wife, boys and the rest of his extended family.
Coach Ed was my soccer coach. He was a great coach and he always got us to smile even when we lost. He was a great person. I will always play for you, I hope our whole team does. We will never forget you Ed.
Ed was my cousin’s husband. We spent quality time with him and the whole family last summer. He was nothing but loving and caring, about his kids, wife, and the world around him. He was the epitome of the open spaces of Nebraska and the wholesome Pacific Northwest: down-to-earth, authentic, funny, unpretentious – and not to mention smart. He clearly enjoyed working hard – at his paid job at Microsoft and in the fun stuff he did. His kids inherited those traits from both parents, and that will be his legacy.
So long, Ed, and our deepest sympathies and love to Janine, Erik, and Karl,
Ian and Maria, Phillip and Catherine Whan Tong
I lived next door to Ed (Eddie as we called him growing up) on 48th Ave in Omaha. I remember him as being such a smart, nice and handsome kid. He was a true trail blazer, the only kid I knew growing up in South Omaha who played the game of soccer.
I would like the whole Praitis family to know that the Kinsella’s (Tom, Carolyn, Chris, Debbie & Barbie) are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Ed was my next door neighbor growing up in a neighborhood of all boys our age. We would play outside all day whether it was baseball in the lot up the street or building snow forts in the back yard. We also got into trouble together and I remember getting grounded from his house by his mother for destroying a glass blown ship that sat on the coffee table in their living room after a pillow fight that Ed started. Ed was liked by all and a great athlete. Prays go out to his family and friends from the Kinsella family.
I played against Ed in soccer and went to high school with him. I will remember him for his tenacity on the soccer pitch and his sharp wit. You always had to be careful around him as there was always a zinger at the tip of his tongue. When I picture him in my mind, many warm memories come to mind and leave me with a smile on my face. Ed was a great friend. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
I was Edward’s roommate in college.
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