Rider Down: Laura Wooldridge

By now, everyone in the cycling community is likely to have heard of the tragic loss of Laura Wooldridge, 39. Laura died in the aftermath of injuries suffered while pre-riding the race course at the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival on Saturday.

Laura leading a group ride at Camp Robinson recently.

I was just getting to know Laura, but seemed to see her everywhere. Whether I saw her at advocacy meetings, leading a mountain bike ride, or signing up women for a ladies' road ride Laura seemed to be front and center. She was an easy friend, in that if she had met you once, she always seemed genuinely glad to see you. She was a leader and a friend to many. She will be missed by her friends, family and the entire cycling community.
Laura has been remebered in various ways by her friends, and there will be a memorial ride and service on Thursday at 4:00PM fromthe New Life Church on Crystal Hill Road.

Joe Jacobs at Arkansas Outside knew Laura well and did a far better job of telling her story than I can do here.