Goodbye to Frank Colon!

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to get this information out there.
For those of you involved with NEAR, the NorthEast Adventure Rally, you probably already know about this situation.
For those who do not, here is a copy of my open letter to the riding community about what happened almost 3 weeks ago now.

"Hey Guys.
I don't even know where to start in writing this.
Yesterday was such a beautiful day here.
Schedule has been crazy for me lately. Kids, life, you know the deal. I had not actually been on my bike for 3 and a half weeks! For me, that is a huge gap in time.
Yesterday was the only real day that I was able to make work for getting a pre-ride in for the small bike ride prior to the event.
I was really expecting to go ride it alone, you know, middle of the week, middle of the day.
But the night before my buddy texted me that his day had changed, and he was available, and psyched, to come ride. Yes! A beautiful day, and 2 friends out for a nice long ride.
I felt tired in the morning, just an overall life tired, but when I got on the bike I was invigorated. I felt so loose and fresh!
We were having a fun time, fun banter back and forth. A couple of quick stops here and there checking on mechanicals, on each other. The start of a great time.

And then the day changed.

We were riding through a very easy section, Class 6 road that was really wide open and flat. There was a tough climb coming up, and it is when, in your mind, you start to steel yourself for it. That was when I looked over my shoulder, saw he was just a bit behind me, and I pushed on.

I made it to the top of the climb, and stopped. This is our norm. Wait at the top, see who got stuck on the climb (like 1st and 2nd gear climb), joke about it, and catch your breath.
I waited a minute or two. I did not hear anything. Took off my helmet, and walked a little bit down the hill and around the corner to a point where you have a good line of site on the difficult section. No one coming.
All right, he must have had a mechanical issue. I'll go check on him.
Back to the bike, helmet on. Heading back town the hill. Slow though. I figure at any moment he is going to be coming right at me. No such luck.
I got all the way back down the hill. Back onto the flat, non technical section, came around the corner to find my friend in a heap in the middle of the trail. Not 50 yards from when I last looked back over my shoulder at him.

It was horrific.
I cannot describe to you what it is like to see your friend in that condition, to feel so helpless, to feel guilt.
I tried to save him. First responders tried to save him. He was gone. He is gone.

His name was Frank Colon. And he was my friend.

He was so enthusiastic. Always had a smile on his face, and he LOVED to ride!

It really makes no sense. Where he was, how it happened. A freak accident.

So today I am at a loss. Trying to process it all.

Look around you. Realize all that you have, all that is important to you, and cherish it.

Riding in the woods I always knew in the back of my mind that an accident was a possibility, but I always thought of it in terms of a broken something, NOT the end of a life.
So today Frank lives on, in our hearts and in our minds. Frank was a father, a husband, a member of MVTR, a member of the MT. Pisgah ATV Club, a board member of NETRA, and a vocal representative of our off road community.

Thank you for your support. I love you guys, and the community that I am lucky to be a part of.

JP"

Arrangements have been made, and here is a link to the obituary that contains those details.

Thank you everyone for your caring and support!

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/keene-nh/frank-colon-7900668

Frank will always be in my heart! See my shirt even says so!

Your friendship is so beautiful. Rest in peace, Frank. Wishing his family strength during this tough time.

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Sorry for your loss. This is a great way to honor a friend.

I missed the jersey, that's dope. I'm gonna put the 14th on my calendar. May we raise glasses in Frank's honor.

Sorry for the loss of year dear friend. My prayers are with you & Frank's family.

Wow!!!!... ya never know... live every day like it’s your last!

So sorry to hear this news. It seems unfair when someone so young is called home. But take some consolation in that he was doing what he loved, when he left this world.

This weekend was both the dual sport event that we were prepping for as well as a hare scramble hosted by our local club where Frank was honored.
It was a great weekend of riding, and to reflect.

Thanks everyone!

I'm sorry you lost your friend.I wanna say maybe he had a health issue and if he had gone to work he wouldn't of had one more time to ride w his bestie.he died doing what he loved and I'm sorry if I sound insensitive but this is how id look at it if it was my friend or brother..Ride on n Godspeed Frank

Thanks again for little bike hard on Friday! Was a great ride for sure and really challenged me. . Sorry again for your loss I’m sure every ride he’ll be right there with you!


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