by Sarah Lane and Julie Hall
This Sunday, January 25, on a middle school mountain bike ride near Gazzam, Bainbridge Island Gear Grinders Coach Jay Abbott suffered a crash and landed on his head and neck, severely damaging his spinal cord and cervical nerves. Bainbridge Island Gear Grinders is a mountain biking club with the mission of promoting the sport among young people.
Abbott’s wife, former Bainbridge mayor Darlene Kordonowy, reported that Abbott was flown to Harborview where he has been stabilized but has not yet regained consciousness. Abbott is on a ventilator and has paralysis in his arms and legs.
Abbott’s friend Tom Clune, who owns B.I. Cycle, described him as “a very active guy” and “a lot of fun with great stories.” The two friends have skied and biked together. Abbott also sails and has taught sailing.
Abbott’s interest in biking included riding the STP, the Seattle to Portland ride, and commuting by mountain bike to work across the water. After Abbott retired from being a commercial pilot, he approached Clune about working in the bike shop. At B.I. Cycle, Clune said, Abbott assembled and tuned up bikes. And then, Clune said, he “really got into Gear Grinders and enjoyed working with kids.”
Abbott is one of six Gear Grinder coaches. He is one of two at the middle school level.
Kordonowy is asking people to send messages of support to Abbott at his Caring Bridge page.
Related Stories
- Bainbridge Cyclist Who Collided with Bus Still in Coma; State Patrol Seeks Accident Witnesses
- Accident on 305 on National Bike to School Day Leaves BI Cyclist in Critical Condition
- Emergency Response to Winslow Biking Crash Slowed by Multiple Medic Calls
- Citizens Who Gave Life-Saving CPR to Chilly Hilly Rider Honored at Fire Dept Ceremony
- Chilly Hilly Cyclist Experiences Cardiac Arrest, Is Transported to Seattle
- Fast CPR by Three Chilly Hilliers Saves Fallen Rider in Cardiac Arrest
- Cyclist Injured at Bottom of Wyatt Way, Transported to Seattle
- Bainbridge Teen on Bike Hit by Car: We Need Bike Lanes!
- Letter to the Editor Bike Safety on Bainbridge Island
- Car/Bicyclist Accident at Bucklin Hill and Blakely
Photo courtesy of Darlene Kordonowy.
