Obituaries
Legendary Bicyclist Joe Shami Dies After Collision
Shami, renowned for riding his bike to the summit of Mt. Diablo more than 600 times, was hit in a Lafayette roundabout on Tuesday.
LAMORINDA, CA — A bicyclist hit by an SUV in a Lafayette roundabout on Tuesday has died. The victim was Joe Shami, an avid bicyclist who rode to the 3,848-foot summit of Mount Diablo 600 straight weeks, completing his streak at the age of 85, according to the East Bay Times and San Francisco Chronicle.
Shami's age was variously listed as 86 or 87.
The Lafayette resident began his challenge of riding to the summit at the age of 74, after running 10 marathons.
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In news coverage of Shami's feat at the time he completed his streak, the Chronicle reported, "'For the past 11 years and 28 weeks, Joe has not missed a weekly ride to the summit, in rain, cold, heat, snow, wind,' said Al Kalin of the Mount Diablo Cyclists. Joe, a retired AT&T engineer, estimated he has more than 80,000 miles on his bike. 'I ride my own tempo,' Joe said in a news release from Trek. 'A few months ago, I added some smaller gears to the bike, because I am getting slower. But that’s OK.'
Shami's goal was to reach 100,000 miles on his bike.
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“He was just amazed at how everybody thought he was such a legend and hero, because he was just doing what he loved,” close friend Linda Kwong told the Times. “He just didn’t get that his riding created hope and inspiration for everyone around him. But he just didn’t understand. And I’d say to him: ‘That’s why you’re a legend!’ He was just a great, great friend and person.”
"While details of the collision are not fully known at this time and the investigation is ongoing," Lafayette Mayor Susan Candell said in a statement released Thursday, "I do want to recognize that Mr. Shami, 86, was much-loved by the local bicycling community. He was an accomplished rider, particularly known for his numerous bike trips to Mt. Diablo.
"The City’s thoughts are with Mr. Shami’s family and his many friends."
Shami was hit by the SUV early Tuesday morning. He died at the hospital that night. His identity was released by the coroner on Wednesday.
Funeral arrangements are not immediately available.
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