OBRA, community remember David Oliphant

Racers bowed their heads in silence
to remember David Oliphant at the
Cirque du Cycling on Saturday.
(Photo © J. Maus)

The community of people who raced with and knew David Oliphant are keeping him in their thoughts at events throughout Portland. Oliphant suffered a cardiac arrest after crossing the finish line of a race at Portland International Raceway last Tuesday night. He died later the same evening at a local hospital.

Remembrances from friends and family have poured in via comments. On Saturday, prior to races at the Cirque du Cycling, racers took off their helmets, lowered their heads, and observed a moment of silence.

David Oliphant (1962-2010)
(Photo: Therapeutic Associates)

Yesterday, Oliphant’s passing was acknowledged at a Blessing of the Bikes service held at St. Mary’s in downtown Portland.

Tomorrow, at the weekly race series where Oliphant last pedaled, his teammates and fellow competitors will wear black t-shirts during a memorial lap that will begin at 6:30. David’s brother Duncan, also a racer, will lead out the lap and the Oliphant family will be in attendance.

Candi Murray with the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association says they’ve printed up 300 black armbands with Oliphant’s number on them.

On Thursday (6/17), Oliphant’s family is holding an open service beginning at 1:00pm at Southlake Foursquare Church in West Linn (1555 SW Borland Road; call (503) 638-1555 for details).

Read more remembrances of David Oliphant from his teammates here.