Charlie Prinsep (R.I.P.) Age 23

Fixin' a flat, Charlie was a local fixed gear rider and simply a wonderful person. Happy and friendly. Always. I knew him from riding with him in Toronto during Critical mass rides and his many comments on my other blog Bike Lane Diary. But I will always remember him for always being a smiling face in a sea of noise and pollution.

I will miss you, Charlie!

He was heading back to Toronto more than half way through his epic ride from San Diego to Vancouver and was hit from behind near Brooks, Alberta.

His brother writes:

"Charlie had completed his southerly ride from Vancouver to San Diego and then started his second leg from Vancouver to Toronto, a ride of many thousands of kilometers. Charlie equipped himself to work towards a greener planet and after completing his studies his plans were to continue his studies in France and later in Urban Planning at the Sorbonne and to dedicate his significant talents to a better world. He would never waver from what he believed in and would always fight for his ideals, never passive when he expressed his thoughts and always intuitive. He fought always for these beliefs and spurred on his friends, and in fact everybody, to follow suit, never without enthusiasm, honesty and above all, passion."

A memorial will be held for Charlie on August 14th in Toronto. Cyclists are also invited to ride in his honour this Friday August 17th. Meet at Jet Fuel Cafe at 6pm.