Racing Duo Terry and Lynn Rueter Injured in Huntington Lake Bike Wreck

While riding a tandem bike on June 23, 2018, near Huntington Lake, California, Terry and Lynn Rueter hit a pothole and were seriously injured. It is believed that the tandem bike hit a large pothole while going about 46 miles an hour. The front tire of the bike disintegrated upon impact sending both riders to the ground. Authorities were called, and Lynn who was knocked unconscious from the rear seat of the bicycle was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, California. Doctors there diagnosed her with a concussion and with a broken collarbone. Meanwhile, Terry sustained a broken hand in the accident. As of June 25, 2018, Lynn remained in the hospital, but she had been moved from the intensive care unit to a private room.

According to The Fresno Bee, the couple is very popular among the riders who train in the Huntington Lake area for the Climb to Kaiser. The race director said that the friendly couple had planned on participating in the less strenuous 95-mile ride to Shaver Lake. In the past, Lynn and Terry have successfully completed the 155-mile Climb to Kaiser which is highly competitive.

The husband-and-wife partnership is part of the Off the Front Racing Team. An official with the team said that the couple was headed down the hill when the accident occurred. He also said that Lynn immediately underwent surgery after arriving at the hospital. The team is particularly active in providing bicycle training to children.

The Climb to Kaiser’s director said that the place where the accident occurred is particularly dangerous, and she urged participants to be extremely careful during the race on July 7. Activities on that day will consist of three different races with the main event being the Climb to Kaiser that has been rated as one of the 10 toughest bicycle races in America. The Tollhouse Century is a 95-mile ride while the 74-mile Millerton Metric is designed for beginning riders who would like to see what it is like to compete in a major race.