After a violent mountain bike incident over the weekend, a TALENTED young biker has passed away.
Zoe Clay, 23, passed away on Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina, some 100 miles northwest of Charlotte, after her terrible injuries.
Her family has started using GoFundMe to raise money for funeral and hospital costs.
The 24-hour-old campaign has already raised more than $38,000 of its $50,000 target.
According to the GoFundMe page, “All funds raised will go directly to Zoe’s family.”
On social media, tributes to the young athlete from Winston-Salem, which is located approximately 25 miles west of Greensboro, flooded in swiftly.
“It’s devastating news to hear she could not overcome the injury,” one cycling enthusiast said in a Facebook post.
“Please consider any prayers, thoughts, and support for her and for her family.
“She is such a vibrant young woman who lives life to the fullest and spreads her enthusiasm for life and cycling wherever she goes.”
Other cyclists were able to provide more information about her background in the sport.
“When Zoe joined the cycling community of Winston Salem, she made an immediate impression,” they said in a Facebook post.
“Fast & fearless – she loved to ride bikes!!! Road bikes, cross bikes & mountain bikes…. It didn’t matter.
“She joined the Velocious Sports team and started racing her way to the top of the pro rankings under the guidance of her coach Jon Hamblen.”
Another person noted that Clay had made an enormous amount of progress after entering the bike scene just a year ago.
“Previously an exceptional NCAA runner (with a personal 5k best of 17:40!!!), she seemed to make a nearly superhuman leap into cycling, at the highest level,” the Facebook user said.
“I loved seeing her excel in the local races we competed in together- and looked for her in the streaming coverage at the larger races she boldly and bravely lined up for.
“‘I’ll remember always her tenacity and desire to improve
“I’ll remember running alongside her on the trails with my son and battling for lines next to her through the sand pit.
“But mostly I’ll remember a bright star whose youth and exuberance I recognized – and hoped to follow as she excelled in this sport and in life for years to come.”
The person running the fundraiser for Clay’s family didn’t immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
