In 2006, 4 laps into the menfs pro race at the Boat Street Crit, Bradley Lewis went into cardiac arrest and died.

Looking back, his friends recall him off-handedly mentioning days before the event that it felt as if he had a gtennis ball stuck in his chest.h Otherwise, Brad appeared to be a fit and healthy 38 year-old man, enjoying the prime of his life.

In life, Bradley Lewis was a beloved man, providing inspiration to those lucky enough to encounter him (read this monthfs Doppio Life for a taste of his personal effect. ?Ed.) In death, he is providing further inspiration both for the entire NW racing scene and for one of its premiere event promoters, Robert Trombley.

gI felt obliged,h says Trombley, between sips of his favorite Belgian beer. Wefre sitting in the sun at gThe Dray,h a small bar situated in Seattlefs Ballard neighborhood. The cozy atmosphere & streaming rays of treasured Seattle sun are a direct contrast to the root topic of our conversation, the death of a friend.

After another sip, Trombley continues, gI mean, itfs as simple as B. Rad and ride your bike. And as complex as, be aware and check your s#it out - heart disease is a major killer.h

In 1998, Trombley joined the Recycled Cycles cycling club. Located on Boat Street, in the University district of Seattle, WA.

As a bike shop, Recycled Cycles is an exception. Theyfre appreciated by tattooed hipsters and blue-haired grandmas alike. They provide the finest pieces of cycling jewelry side-by-side with dusty buckets of used bike components.

Two years after Trombley joined the club, Recycled Cycles hosted the first edition of the Boat Street bike race. With the finish line only feet from the shopfs front door, the event is spectacular for both spectators and competitors alike. One past winner recently said, gI train all winter, thinking about the Boat Street race. I used to only think about how I was gonna drill it into the final corner and just embarrass my competition. But now, on those long, wet wintry rides, I think about Brad, how much I miss him and how proud hefs gonna be when I drill it into the final corner and just embarrass my competitionch

In 2007, a year after Bradfs death, the race was renamed, gThe Bradley Lewis Memorial Criterium.h Despite rainy conditions, the entry list was packed. The hours preceding a pro bike race are usually full of strutting athletes, rolling about sizing up their competition and stoking up their teams. In 2007, the atmosphere was somber. Rain fell, people cried and strutting athletes were silent.

Interestingly, it has rained for every edition of the Bradley Lewis Memorial Criterium. True, the event is hosted in Seattle, a region primarily known for two things, coffee and rain. But as Craig Undem, owner of Cycle U, recently pointed out, gIf Brad had his wishes, itfd rain.h
Image of Lilly Geogieva, Adrian Hegevary, Sam Johnson, Riain Callahan
This yearfs event was no exception; It rained harder than ever. Trombley describes the race day, gIn the lower category races, held early in the day, we had as few as three people per race. Which is ridiculous. Racers look out their window, see the rain, and stay home. The dayfs final event, the pro race, was our biggest (in regard to attendance for the day) by far. I think people just wanted to give their respects.h Alec Duxbury, a local elite rider captured it best when he said, gI just wanted to come out and be with my friends as I remembered Brad.hThat said, the message of heart-disease awareness that the Bradley Lewis Memorial Crit intends to deliver is being snuffed out by the eerily consistent weather conditions.

We order another round of beers for the table. Trombley takes a deep pull and explains his vision for future editions of the event. gWefve been doing this race for ten years. We have the support of the athletes, the local merchants, and the city. So - later this year wefre moving the event to August. Because of the weather and the poor turnout. Wefre gonna launch the first edition of our Bradley Lewis summer race. Ifm envisioning a festival of bike racing. Music, bleachers, an expo, a beer gardenc a bigger stage and better chance of delivering our message.h

So, B.Rad, click upon the button below for event details, warm-up your vocal chords for some serious cheering and come out (most likely in the rain) for the next edition of the Bradley Lewis Memorial Crit.