The ride was too short.
Literally and metaphorically, Monday’s bike ride ended far too soon for Whistler’s Ken Quon.
The popular 47-year-old cyclist died while guiding a non-competitive bike ride in Lost Lake Park. Quon had just switched from lead guide to bringing up the rear of the group prior to climbing a hill. At the top of the hill the lead guide had checked with Quon to see if everyone was together and it was okay to start again. Quon responded, "yes."
Seconds later the second-last cyclist heard a cyclist behind him fall over and Quon was dead.
"They were on a double-track trail, there was no crash involved," said Tom Thomson, who was with another Wild Willie’s Come Ride With Us group elsewhere in the park.
The cause of death has yet to be determined.
Thomson said there were four people in Quon’s group who had first aid or CPR expertise who attempted to revive him. Other riders had cell phones and immediately called 9-1-1. Paramedics were able to drive right to the site and had transported him to the Whistler Health Care Centre within minutes of his collapse.
He was pronounced dead at the health care centre.
"The doctors said he wouldn’t have known what hit him," Thomson said.
Quon had been a manager at Whistler IGA Marketplace for many years. He was well known in the cycling community as a member of WORCA, a guide at Wild Willie’s Monday night rides, and a volunteer for other bike events.
"He was well respected in the community and through his position at IGA he was able to assist a great number of people and charities," Thomson said.
"He was a hard boot, raceplate snowboarder in the winter, but his real love was mountain biking," Thomson added. "He was always good for tips, hints, encouragement. He was a great guy to ride with."
Quon, who was single, leaves behind a mother and siblings in Vancouver.
A remembrance ride will be held Monday, Sept. 12 starting at Wild Willie’s in Nesters. Everyone is invited to ride and remember Ken Quon.
