Death of a Local Cycling Pioneer - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 10-09-2008, 04:43 PM

Passing this on to ensure all local and area cyclists who can do so show up to support one of our founding fathers, as it were. I didn't know him but I knew of him. There's a discussion thread regarding his passing I'll post at the end of this quoted email discussion:

Quote:

Gartrell, Keith
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:42 PM
Subject: DON SLEEPER MEMORIAL

Quote:

Sad news from Terry with Clif Bar. Don was a pioneer of many of the MTB (mountain biking) trails in and around San Antonio. If you can make the time on Sunday, please do.

Keith Gartrell

---- original email ----
Keith,

Donald Sleeper passed away on Monday. I am arranging a memorial for him this Sunday at OP Schnabel Park. Riders will go out from 3 to 4:30 to show our force in the park and the memorial starts at 5. Bicycle clothing is welcome at the memorial and encouraged. STORM (South Texas Off-Road Mountain Bikers) is catering the event. I am trying to get large numbers of bicyclists out because Sleeper made a lot of the trails we ride on here in town. All of the media will be present from what I hear. Please put the word out and stress how important it is for all bike riders to attend this event because the city is watching. The first Sleeperfest I held last February got over 300 riders and was portrayed in the three major TV channels and in Express-News.

I wrote Don's obituary and it runs in Thursdays's paper. An article about him will headline the obituary page. Hope you can drum up support. Don was my right hand man ....

Talk to you soon,

Terry

Discussion thread about Don's efforts in life and his passing -- RIP Donald Lynn Sleeper - BiKe MoJo SpeaK
(note: mountain bikers are a lot like hard core motocross riders so warning, their language and chosen avatars aren't always "Safe For Work" or family-friend. Don't let that diminish the message)