RIP

SystemAdmin

RIP

In 1998 I had a paper route, and at this time Dave Mirra was my idol. Every other week, I would collect the dues from...

Read the full story here

Ben Hobbs

Here here.

slickfins_Ryan

Poor guy. Fuck.

_MurMan

Cheers to a legend, and thanks for a great story/write up Mark.

GrantInSLC

Well said...

Robert Rankin

Very well said and heartfelt. Goes to show the inner demons some have to deal with. Hopefully those that are dealing with similar can see the outpouring of love and admiration that's come from this and find the courage to speak to someone.

andrewm88

A real shame, Dave's passion and enthusiasm shone through when he was interviewed for the show and he seemed like an awesome guy who brought a lot of joy to a huge number of people and had such a positive impact on "alternative" sports.

It was saddening to see this today and I can only agree with @Robert Rankin entirely...

Jason Lentzke

Terrible news. Thanks for the touching tribute. Nothing but positive things to say about the guy who left far too soon.

whit.hughston

Damn. I enjoyed following his triathlon pursuit. Can't imagine the hurt his 2 little girls feel.

GentlemanJerseyDave

This is such a lovely tribute. He was such a talent as both an athlete and personality. His transition to triathlon shows so much about his level of physicality. The hardest thing in the world to ask for is help. And the hardest thing for those who don't suffer from depression is to understand when someone is asking for that help. In these moments I like to remind people to keep their ears and hearts open to those around them. Because I can tell you from experience that asking for help is so damn hard the first time, it's pretty much impossible to do a second. My thoughts are with him and his family and all those suffering.

I'd like to also just toss out something I learned a while back. Those in psychology, who deal with suicide in particular, say the person "Died by Suicide" instead of "Committing Suicide". It's a subtle but important acknowledgment to the underlying mental disorder that leads to the action - it is as much a cause of death as it is an act. I've mulled through this a ton. When my friend died by suicide in August I kept saying "committed" in anger but my goodness - the pain you must be in to do this when being a parent. I lean back often upon the love of my son and that bond in my worst moments and I can see the pure beauty - to be so sick, in so much pain to not feel that has to be excruciating. I honestly can't imagine anything worse.

I've been modestly open over the years with people about my struggles as a manic depressive and severe anxiety disorder sufferer. I've been less specific about some of the details because of the stigma that's often attached. I always find these stories so hard to read and I hope in the end we all can just look in 360 degrees around us and remember that someone is likely hoping you ask how they are - keep an open mind and heart and a couple fewer stories like this will be written along the way.

KonCity

top notch writing and thanks for sharing Mark

amici61

Very sad! I enjoyed watching him race IMLP. Not that it matters, he earned my respect by trying to qualify for Kona vs the celebrity route. Prayers to his family and close friends

Caveman

Thanks Mark. Well written.

Ben Hobbs

Not sure how I feel about comments from this thread that are copied and pasted onto ST, then quoted on the ST front page as if it came from their forum.

Another incident for my WTF file.

M_Ware

Ben Hobbs said:

Not sure how I feel about comments from this thread that are copied and pasted onto ST, then quoted on the ST front page as if it came from their forum.

Another incident for my WTF file.

As far as ST goes, even in the face of tragedy asshats will be asshats.

TheActualPaulo

Ben Hobbs said:

Not sure how I feel about comments from this thread that are copied and pasted onto ST, then quoted on the ST front page as if it came from their forum.

Another incident for my WTF file.

Was this removed?

wchevron

RIP Dave Mirra

kraeburn

Don't have much to add to the conversation that hasn't already been said. I thought you guys would like this recent article by outside magazine on the tragedy, it was well done:

http://www.outsideonline.com/2056326/last-days-dave-mirra