Hi Friends of Mark,

By now most everyone has heard the tragic news of Mark's passing. This tragedy has had a profound effect on our club, we have lost a great friend and loyal teammate. This Sunday, the team ride will be a celebration of Mark's life and the strong bonds we shared with him. The ride will start at Peet's (at 9:00am) in Danville (usual meeting point) and head through Sunol to Calaveras and back (50 mile loop).

Please respect the fact that this ride is about Mark, the pace will be EASY so that we can all ride together and share memories and stories. Jennie Phillips has been kind enough to bring black ribbons for the ride. The ride will start at 9:00am, instead of the normal 8:00am start, we will roll at 9:10 am. The group will be large, so please obey all traffic laws. We will ride two-abreast only where bike lanes, road shoulders and terrain allow, but will otherwise ride single-file. Please signal all significant road hazards to your fellow cyclists well ahead of time, and please allow those familiar with the route to ride at the front. We will also do our best to have members of our club positioned at the back of the ride to ensure that no one is left behind.

Please be aware that although we are making efforts to alert police departments of our plans Sunday morning, this is not an official, licensed event, and all riders who participate will be doing so at their own risk.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark and his family. Mark was a kind and generous person and will be missed more than words can describe.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/25/BADV14C2V3.DTL

Guest Book link
http://www.legacy.com/ContraCostaTimes/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=12...

Ride Route:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/danville/446700037

When I first heard Mark had been killed, and I realized who it was I felt like I'd been sucker punched, really just sick to my stomach. I'd raced master's and elite 4's races with Mark most of this season.

Mark was new to racing and I remember sometimes pretty intimidated in crits. He was extremely fit, but not a big guy. I remember talking him through crits at Merced and a bit of a crash fest elite 4 Martinez. At Martinez we were stopped completely after a couple multi rider crashes. I told Mark to just stay on my wheel, that this was one just to survive. We both got through it in one piece.

Mark was one of those guys who did whatever he needed to improve. He was willing to test himself and pay his dues in order to get better. And he was always stoked about racing his bike. The guy loved cycling and was committed to the craft.

I know I speak for every member of the Synergy-Taleo Racing Team when I say Mark will be missed. He was a regular on the Wednesday Bakery and Saturday House of Pain rides.

Our sincere condolences to Mark's family, C4 and the Wells Fargo Racing Team.

here is a link to share your condolences with the friends and family of Mark Pendleton.

Guest Book
http://www.legacy.com/ContraCostaTimes/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=12...

Our thoughts go out to Mark and his family.
Very sad news in the holiday season.

FWS and the Davis Bike Club Masters

A devastating, unexplainable loss. Our thoughts are with CCCC and all who knew Mark.

Dave Parrish
Team Roaring Mouse

My heartfelt thoughts go to everyone in your family/friends/team mates.

It's just unimaginable how inhuman humanity can be.

Awful...so sorry to hear this news...

-Tad

I'm so sorry...my heart goes out to his family and all you guys at WFB.