Friends and loved ones gathered Saturday morning for a memorial bike ride honoring a local cyclist who died following a crash at the San Diego Velodrome.
Jackie Price Dunn, 33, a newcomer to cycling, died from fatal injuries sustained in an accident while racing at the Velodrome in Balboa Park on Tuesday.
On Saturday morning, hundreds of cyclists – including Dunn’s husband, Durward Dunn – turned out to remember one of their own.
The memorial ride began at 8 a.m. at Coronado Tidelands Park. Cyclists then made their way through the Silver Strand Bikeway Path.
Dunn’s friend Kat Keivens helped organize the ride. She said the event was the perfect way to remember Dunn, who absolutely loved the sport.
“It was something that Jackie loved to do. She loved cycling, so it was just a common passion for everybody. So I thought it was a great way to honor and remember her, doing what she loved doing, and that was cycling,” Keivens told NBC 7.
Keivens described Dunn as a “very compassionate, caring and loving person” who was always smiling.
She was also extremely generous, even after her death.
“She was always giving and never expected anything back in return. She even did that after her death, she donated her organs, and that helped six other people in the process,” said Keivens.
Dunn’s husband, Durward, also took part in the ride. He said he’ll forever remember his wife as a person who always gave everything she did her all.
“She doesn’t do anything half-heartedly. She goes 100% for everything. It’s tough on me as her husband when she goes 100% on everything, because I can’t keep up sometimes, and even here, after she’s gone, I still can’t keep up,” Durward told NBC 7.
Durward said that just last Friday, he and his wife rode the very same route along the Silver Strand with friends. He said Dunn rode much faster than him that day but made sure to later come back and help him catch up with the group.
“She doesn’t even realize how strong she is,” said Durward. “That’s kind of how she is – she comes back to pick you up.”
Durward said his wife’s passion for cycling was infectious. She was part of the Catalyst Racing Cycling Team and her love of the sport enticed other women to take up cycling.
“I think her legacy is just to include people. She got eight people to join a women’s team with her because she just asked them to race,” he added.
Keivens said her friend will also be remembered as a fierce risk-taker who lived life to the fullest.
“Jackie always said, ‘If there’s not risk involved, you’re not living.”
Friends have established a memorial fund for Dunn. The money raised will eventually help Durward establish a community-centered, non-profit organization in his wife’s name. To donate, visit this website.
Photo Credit: Catalyst Racing Cycling Team