Daniel Hume, RIP. Photo from telegraph.co.uk.

Some sad news to report this week:

Daniel Hume, former pro mountain biker from the UK, was killed while on foot patrol in Afghanistan last week. Hume was ranked the #3 downhill rider in the United Kingdom at the age of 15 and in 2007 he joined the Royale Marines. It’s reassuring to know we have tough-as-nails mountain bikers like Hume protecting us overseas - he will truly be missed!

Rittner “Ritt” Lewis of Everson, WA died after crashing his mountain bike on a popular Telluride Ski Area MTB trail. Ritt died of head trauma even though he was weaing a helmet at the time. Just one more reminder that even with all the right protective gear mountain biking can still be dangerous. Hopefully his family can take some comfort in the fact that Ritt died doing something he loved.

Rest in peace.

A few interesting stories from around the MTB world:

Missy Giove charged with marijuana distribution. Badass downhiller racer, 14-time NORBA champion, and 11 time World Cup winner Missy Giove was busted this week for driving a truck full of 400 pounds of Mary Jane in upstate New York. Missy faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine if convicted.

I have to admit I wasn’t too familiar with Missy Giove and her accomplishments but the article I read mentioned some interesting tidbits like the fact that she usually biked with a dead piranha around her neck. I’m thinking someone could make a movie about this woman’s life that could appeal to groups beyond the MTB world…

Rains close trails in Telluride, CO. Apparently it’s not just Florida and east coast mountain bikers that are getting rained out this year - even in dry Colorado the Forest Service was forced to close popular trails due to the rain. A few trails, like the Village Trail, Coonskin Loop, and Ridge Trail have reopened while others, like See Forever Trail and Basin Trail are still closed due to conditions.

Peaks Trail in Breckenridge, CO. Photo by utedude.

Breckenridge, CO hosts first annual Bike Week. Okay, judging by the dates (July 4 - 12) it’s a little longer than a week but the idea is to highlight the amazing MTB trails in and around the popular ski town. Officials claim there are more than 1,000 miles of interconnected backcountry trails in Summit County and they’ve even marked out five 20-30 mile bike loops you can “self-tour.” There will be lectures, movies, and demos happening all week plus the Breck Epic MTB stage race will be taking place July 5-10. Anyone have a place where I can crash in Breck next month?