PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGES

02 September 2013

Dale Stetina in serious bike accident

Last Saturday Dale Stetina suffered a serious bike crash

I was so saddened to hear this news. Dale Stetina, age 57, of Boulder Colorado, an icon in American cycling, husband and father to Ann, Kate, Claire and Peter (professional cyclist, age 26, with Garmin transferring to BMC), remains in critical but stable condition at Boulder Community Hospital after a bike crash on Saturday, August 31, 2013 in Lefthand Canyon.

Please read more from the Daily Camera Newspaper: Dale Stetina, two-time Coors Classic winner, remains critical following Lefthand Canyon crash, and VeloNews: Former national champion Dale Stetina in critical condition after Colorado accident

For progress and status of Dale Stetina's recovery, please follow the news from his family at:
Please send your prayers and good thoughts for Dale and his entire family. And follow his progress to show you care.

Update 09/02/13: Dale Stetina's condition remains critical, but family encouraged by milestones. By Brittany Anas, Camera Staff Writer.

My photos of the times I was so honored to see and meet Dale Stetina. 

Brothers Dale and Wayne Stetina together in Telluride in 2012.  They stood out in the crowd; I was so thrilled to see them together at a bike race, I ran up and asked, "Can I please take your picture?" "Sure" they said happily. Dale's son (and Wayne's nephew) Peter had just accepted the Most Aggressive jersey in Stage 1 of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge in Telluride, Colorado.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Ron Kiefel driving his friend Dale Stetina (in the backseat of the car) last August over Independence Pass in Colorado.  Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Connie Carpenter-Phinney, Davis Phinney, Chris Carmichael, Dale Stetina, and Ron Kiefel. The Greats together at the Host City Announcement party for the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge on 12/13/2011 in downtown Denver. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
And this photo I took way back in 2009 of Dale gathered with fellow Boulder Cycling Legends: Nelson Vails, Len Pettyjohn, Ron Kiefel, Andy Pruitt, Connie Carpenter-Phinney, Hugh Walton, Dale Stetina (in blue and white jersey in the back row center), Davis Phinney, Alexi Grewal, Marianne Martin, Clark Sheehan, Thomas Prehan, Leonard Zinn.

The Legends of Boulder Cycling at a Davis Phinney Foundation fundraiser ride in Boulder, 2009Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
The world of cycling is a small community and I know many of us are sending positive thoughts for a good outcome for Dale and his family. Healing takes patience and a lot of fight, but mostly excellent support.

Update 09/26/13: Dale has transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver, a facility specializing in brain and spinal cord injuries. He will continue his rehabilitation at this inpatient hospital. You may follow along on Dale's care and treatment (and success) by reading his journal (greater detail than the Twitter updates). Please follow at Dale Stetina's Caring Bridge page. 
Update 02/27/14: Dale Stetina back home in Boulder, 6 months after near-fatal crash, by Daily Camera Boulder News

Update 05/10/14: Dale made a trip to California to watch his son Peter Stetina (now riding with BMC in 2014) race. Tour of California: Santa Rosa-based cyclist looks to win for his dad, By San Jose Mercury News My Town