A Life Lost Too Young and a Ride to Remember

This morning riders from the Tidewater area rode in memory of "Little Ricky" Young who passed away this week at the age of 16.  The 7:15 am ride leaving from Laskin Road was a controlled remembrance ride.  I was not able to make that ride because I didn't get off work until 8 am, but I did meet up with group, got my blue ribbon tied to my bike, and rode hard as the ride became its normal "Saturday Stage Race"

What follows is the obituary which was printed in the Virginia Pilot:

Richard Allen Young Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Richard Allen "Ricky" Young Jr., 16, passed away suddenly on Aug. 21, 2010 in Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Ricky was a student at Princess Anne High School where he played on the junior varsity baseball yeam. He was a writer for the school newspaper, served on the homecoming court, and was an honor roll student. Ricky loved sports, played golf, and was a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Braves. He was a member of Church of the Ascension Catholic Church. Survivors include his parents, Richard and Gisselle Young; two brothers, Tony and Joey Minozzi; a sister, Jennifer Austin; grandparents, Raymond and Elaine Iglecia, all of Virginia Beach, Herman Young of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Eva Tyler of Hot Springs, Ark.; stepparents, Richard Clark of Virginia Beach and Carol Grantz of Chesapeake; and a very special friend, Andrew Stone of Virginia Beach; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous good friends who will miss him deeply. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at Church of the Ascension, 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, at 11 a.m. by Father James Parke. Interment will follow in Colonial Grove Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hdoliver. com.

Who is Ricky Young?


I don't know.  I didn't know him.  I never got the chance.  However Bill Conoscentii described him as a "rising star" before the beginning of the ride.  With over 75 riders meeting up this morning to remember him and to ride in his memory, well he must be special.

It was not him that I knew.  I know his dad, Rick Young.

Rick is the Manager of Bike Beat at Hill Top.  Here is what the website says about him and the level of impact he has on the cycling community:

Rick Young an Iowa native, got his riding start in Virginia Beach after graduating from Truman State University in Missouri.  He started working in the bike industry at HDK Cycles in 1999.  As a road and mountain bike racer, Rick knows all about high performance bikes and gear.  He's also very experienced with with fitting, and graduated from Michael Sylvester's Triathlon Fitting Clinc.  So if you're looking to tweak your fit, or want to be fit right on your new bike, come see Rick!

To Rick, I am truly sorry for your loss.  To the cycling community, thanks for coming out in numbers and showing your support.  The extended family that is offered by your friendship will surely help the Young family through this difficult time.