A group of Iron Horse Bicycle Classic riders will ride with Durango local Connie Gordon on Saturday in remembrance of her son, Tyler Gordon, who died in a climbing accident in 2015.
“He is just a huge part of the community. So we just want to celebrate his life this year,” said Cara Kropp, a Durango DEVO bike coach who will be participating in the ride.
The ride is part of the Iron Horse Remembrance Ride, an annual fundraising effort for the Durango Grief Center, which provides free or low-cost counseling to community members experiencing loss.
The grief center is a large part of Gordon’s decision to ride in honor of her son this year.
After Tyler’s death she found comfort and connection through the support services it offered. Having a place to process loss alongside others experiencing similar emotions helped her move through the hardest parts of grief, Gordon said.
Saturday’s ride marks the 10th anniversary of Tyler’s death. He was 21 years old when he died in May 2015 while climbing a route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Memorial Day weekend, and this time of year in general, is always difficult, Gordon said. She prefers not to be in town during this time of year, but knowing that the ride will be supporting the organization makes it a worthwhile effort to stick around.
Born and raised in Durango, Tyler was what Gordon called a “true Durango kid.”
He was an accomplished student, athlete and outdoor enthusiast who loved learning and helping others, she said. And as a college math major, Tyler would challenge himself with big projects, like building his own computer.
“When he accomplished something, he’d say, ‘I win,’” Gordon said. “It was a celebration of the mental challenge – an intellectual victory.”
For Gordon, the ride is not just about remembering Tyler, but about honoring all those who are no longer here and who are missed.
“It’s about remembering people we lost and celebrating them,” she said. “Of course there’s sadness, but it’s eased by celebrating with other people – and also remembering all the good things. And eating cake.”
Now in its 17th year, the remembrance ride was started in 2017 following the death of Durango DEVO coach Patricia “Tricia” Shadell.
The event was created to honor her memory and provide support to those grieving her loss, especially among the cycling community.
“That's why we feel really connected to Judy Austin and the grief center, because they really stepped up during a pretty sad time in the community,” said Cara Kropp, DEVO coach who will be riding in the remembrance ride alongside 10 other participants.
The riders will wear bright orange T-shirts printed with the message “Pedal hard. It’s simple,” a tribute to Tyler’s climbing motto, “Pull hard. It’s simple.” It is an adaptation of a sticker one of Tyler’s friends made for Gordon following Tyler’s death.
Riders will also attach remembrance plaques to their bikes and wear celebratory costumes.
Some will ride in memory of friends or relatives they lost; others ride to support those who are grieving.
“Almost everyone on the team is riding for someone,” Connie Gordon said.
Kropp said the ride is equal parts tribute and celebration.
“It just creates such a deep, personal motivation, knowing that you are riding for someone’s loved one who has passed,” she said. “We usually have a playlist, and we just enjoy ourselves to celebrate those we are riding for – and really, those we are riding with.”
In past years, the remembrance riders were each tasked with raising $1,000, but this year they are fundraising collectively, aiming to raise $10,000.
Donations can be made via the team’s fundraising page at www.givebutter.com/pVb4ci.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
