According to news sources in South Africa Carla Swart, national collegiate champion, and neo pro on HTC women’s team was hit and killed by a truck while out on a training ride. She was a member of the Lees-McCrae College cycling team located in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and from all accounts, was a pretty wonderful person. She also competed in the recent 2010 Commonwealth Games for South Africa. Our thoughts go out to her family, loved ones, teammates, and anyone else who knew her.
Take care out there folks.
Carla was a shining star for South African cycling. Her death is a shock, and our thoughts, and sympathy are with her family and friends at this time. Rest in peace Carla, Ons is al baie hartseer.
Your South African cycling family
The rest of the story…
She was doing TT work and lost the head of her computer. She hit the brakes and just turned out into traffic without looking. The truck attempted to stop, but could not.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/carla-swart-killed-in-south-africa
It’s tragic that it happened, but it proves the point that, as cyclists, we must always be aware of our surroundings!
Jesus, I knew her and my old teammates raced against her in the collegiate scene. Sad stuff. RIP Carla.
godfuckingdammit. that’s it. just godfuckingdammit.
I just got back from a road ride. It’s all about brake practice. God damn sad.
From now on, for every “cyclist down,” I’ll personally “cyclist up” two.
It does sound like she pulled up in the wrong direction while doing some kind of interval training. Always watch what you are doing. Unfortunaltely it is really hard to keep that awareness going when you are stretching for max effort. You are so focused on what you are doing and forget where you are and the dangers.
The team vehicle probably shoudl have been much closer with hazards on to give better advanced notice to other road users.
When I do intervals I try to find a quite section that fits the bill.
Tragic.
“…from all accounts, was a pretty wonderful person…”
As is each of us, to someone. Let’s not forget that. I charge each of you, boys and girls, to be nice to then person to your left or your right. Do this now, in remembrance to the fallen.
…this news is exceedingly sad…
…& not that it should make a difference but when you look @ carla’s only-just-started list of college cycling palmares, it’s such a shame that her awesome potential will never be realized…
SO SAD! Carla was an amazing person. I raced with her and against her in the collegiate series though out the South East. RIP- We’ll miss you!
And with a new year, so begins a new body count.
And that just fucking blows.
RIP Carla, and stay safe everyone.
Another link, and or write up of Carla from her school Lees McCrae.
http://enews.lmc.edu/?p=727
RIP girlie. so freaking sad.
so sad.. RIP bike sista.. I ride for you daily.. in streets and roads that sink with autos.
We got to watch Carla destroy the women’s cyclocross field on multiple occasions. It was clear very quickly how truly talented she was as she routinely worked her way into a podium position of the men’s CX3 field (who started 1 minute ahead of her). Our hearts go out to all who are touched by her loss.
And you wonder why We yell and scream at vehicles that dont yield to us . After this , I will pull no stops on pointing out our right to use the road with no life threatening steel carbon burning noise making ass holes think they rule the streets ! I’m carrying a serious attitude . Kill or be killed . Sorry just doesnt work for me anymore !
A terribly sad day for us all.
RIP Carla
Hope they have great roads in Heaven Carla.