Rest in Peace Noel aka STR @Hanzo aka imtbtrails @Poofighter

Even though I don't think we ever met, Noel reached out to me a couple of weeks ago via PM to congratulate me on a recent professional accomplishment that he found out through a neighbor. He signed off "Hoping for a better 2021." My heart hurts. :(

I rode LCWP today and thought about him over and over. I don't know the location of his last breath, but if I find out, I will install some kind of subtle memorial.
 
I spoke with Dino this morning after reading this. I probably rode with Noel two dozen times back in the STR days. Dino had received a text from Gene in the middle of the night with the same bad news. He was always cool with me ....it is not easy to come to terms with all the deaths lately. Prayers for his family.
 
Hi all,

It's been a while since I've visited as I've been inconsistent with biking the last 3 or so years. I hope you all are doing well and I'm glad to see familiar names here though I don't think I ever did get out to any rides with you all. Noels passing brought me here to try and learn more about what happened. My hearts been heavy since I found out yesterday and am still in a bit of disbelief. What I've read here in this thread is about the same as I was told from another good friend as well and maybe it being sudden and unexpected is just what we'll be stuck with. I'm happy to see that he meant as much to others as he did me, he was a really good guy, a friend.

That ride, or a variation of it, is one that Noel introduced me to about 4 or 5 years ago and he was really a driving force in getting me back into biking after some time away. I wanted to do these new (to me) rides so it was a real motivation for me. He introduced me to Aliso, STT, The Luge, and the San Juan Trail. The San Juan was a really memorable one (well, maybe not for me) as I had a really bad crash and concussion, memory loss and all. He helped me get through the remaining downhill and back to the lot, then to the hospital. We even got to race together at Bonelli, I think it was 2016 or so.

As another member said above, he was always good for a text or phone call to say "what's up, wanna ride?"

I actually did get a ride in on Friday afternoon to get adjusted to the saddle and get my legs going again (because of his pestering!). I didn't dare post it to Strava though because I knew he'd say "Your back! want to do Mt. Wilson?" hah...if only. Funny guy!

I met Noel about 25 years ago at Rudy's Bike Shop in Montebello. The shop would host a weekly Thursday night ride at Turnbull or JPL and a big group of us would head out together. The shop is no longer around, since about the early 2000's, but that little shop brought so many of us together that are still friends, riding or not.

I'm going to miss my friend





noelgregwall (1).jpg


noel sunset.jpg
 
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herzalot said:
Even though I don't think we ever met, Noel reached out to me a couple of weeks ago via PM to congratulate me on a recent professional accomplishment that he found out through a neighbor. He signed off "Hoping for a better 2021." My heart hurts. :(

I rode LCWP today and thought about him over and over. I don't know the location of his last breath, but if I find out, I will install some kind of subtle memorial.
Click to expand...

Not to derail the thread but thought I'd share a really nice memorial someone put up on the fence separating the San Clemente dogpark trails and Camp Pendeleton for a mtn. biker back in 2018.
I don't know anything about the person that passed other than they were a pretty high-level competitive racer based on races attended and the awards/medals won. Nice way to remember someone's passion for riding. Always tough losing anyone in the local riding community.

memorial.jpeg
 
RIGID said:
I'll do an intro in another post but thought I wanted to confirm that this is sadly true. I was the one who informed Mikie yesterday.
Noel aka Hanzo aka Poofighter passed away while riding in Laguna. I received a text that morning asking if I was in the area and if I wanted to meet up right where Bommer and Willow intersect to hit TnA. I typically ride an hour earlier than him and provided my "Share Location" function. I received another text from him that he just vomited and was going to head home. I'm not sure what trail he was on but most likely Bommer since he parks his car around Coastal Peak Park. I'm trying to get more info from another rider who was with him. I heard it was instant. He rode off to the side of the trail and crashed. No pulse, they tried to resuscitate until paramedics arrive. The hospital confirmed his passing.
I stopped riding for a good two to three years and if it wasn't for Noel's friendly nature, I would not have started up again during the start of this pandemic. His patience with a heart of gold will be missed.
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My heart and prayers goes out to him and his family that he left behind.

I’ve been riding with him at San Juan, El Moro, Aliso and Las Flores. He’s such a nice and humble guy, friendly too. We all gonna miss you brother. R.I.P :(
 
GregMiester said:
Hi all,

It's been a while since I've visited as I've been inconsistent with biking the last 3 or so years. I hope you all are doing well and I'm glad to see familiar names here though I don't think I ever did get out to any rides with you all. Noels passing brought me here to try and learn more about what happened. My hearts been heavy since I found out yesterday and am still in a bit of disbelief. What I've read here in this thread is about the same as I was told from another good friend as well and maybe it being sudden and unexpected is just what we'll be stuck with. I'm happy to see that he meant as much to others as he did me, he was a really good guy, a friend.

That ride, or a variation of it, is one that Noel introduced me to about 4 or 5 years ago and he was really a driving force in getting me back into biking after some time away. I wanted to do these new (to me) rides so it was a real motivation for me. He introduced me to Aliso, STT, The Luge, and the San Juan Trail. The San Juan was a really memorable one (well, maybe not for me) as I had a really bad crash and concussion, memory loss and all. He helped me get through the remaining downhill and back to the lot, then to the hospital. We even got to race together at Bonelli, I think it was 2016 or so.

As another member said above, he was always good for a text or phone call to say "what's up, wanna ride?"

I actually did get a ride in on Friday afternoon to get adjusted to the saddle and get my legs going again (because of his pestering!). I didn't dare post it to Strava though because I knew he'd say "Your back! want to do Mt. Wilson?" hah...if only. Funny guy!

I met Noel about 25 years ago at Rudy's Bike Shop in Montebello. The shop would host a weekly Thursday night ride at Turnbull or JPL and a big group of us would head out together. The shop is no longer around, since about the early 2000's, but that little shop brought so many of us together that are still friends, riding or not.

I'm going to miss my friend





View attachment 72353

View attachment 72354
Click to expand...

That was a tough read. Sorry for the loss of your friend.
 
GregMiester said:
Hi all,

It's been a while since I've visited as I've been inconsistent with biking the last 3 or so years. I hope you all are doing well and I'm glad to see familiar names here though I don't think I ever did get out to any rides with you all. Noels passing brought me here to try and learn more about what happened. My hearts been heavy since I found out yesterday and am still in a bit of disbelief. What I've read here in this thread is about the same as I was told from another good friend as well and maybe it being sudden and unexpected is just what we'll be stuck with. I'm happy to see that he meant as much to others as he did me, he was a really good guy, a friend.

That ride, or a variation of it, is one that Noel introduced me to about 4 or 5 years ago and he was really a driving force in getting me back into biking after some time away. I wanted to do these new (to me) rides so it was a real motivation for me. He introduced me to Aliso, STT, The Luge, and the San Juan Trail. The San Juan was a really memorable one (well, maybe not for me) as I had a really bad crash and concussion, memory loss and all. He helped me get through the remaining downhill and back to the lot, then to the hospital. We even got to race together at Bonelli, I think it was 2016 or so.

As another member said above, he was always good for a text or phone call to say "what's up, wanna ride?"

I actually did get a ride in on Friday afternoon to get adjusted to the saddle and get my legs going again (because of his pestering!). I didn't dare post it to Strava though because I knew he'd say "Your back! want to do Mt. Wilson?" hah...if only. Funny guy!

I met Noel about 25 years ago at Rudy's Bike Shop in Montebello. The shop would host a weekly Thursday night ride at Turnbull or JPL and a big group of us would head out together. The shop is no longer around, since about the early 2000's, but that little shop brought so many of us together that are still friends, riding or not.

I'm going to miss my friend





View attachment 72353

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Click to expand...
I’m so.. so sorry Greg. Thank you so much for posting this...

It would really be great if others could share and post up some pics of Noel, or share some moments.
 
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Crap. So sad. At some level, one positive thing that can be said is that he had a positive impact on tons of people. All of these classic STR peeps showing up who I haven't heard from in five or more years... to share their love for a friend.

Definitely going to hit the trails today. He will be in my head, though I never met him in person.
 
Mikie said:
All...
Changing the Title to "Rest in Peace Noel aka STR @Hanzo aka imtbtrails @Poofighter "
Please, both sites join in sharing good times with Noel.

Thanks!
;)Mikie
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There is no STR anymore Mikie. It's nothing but Vietnamese bots. But the STR community that knew Noel as Hanzo still exists so the title still makes sense and will undoubtedly pop up in a search as word spreads through the SoCal (OC) mt biking community.
 
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herzalot said:
Even though I don't think we ever met, Noel reached out to me a couple of weeks ago via PM to congratulate me on a recent professional accomplishment that he found out through a neighbor. He signed off "Hoping for a better 2021." My heart hurts. :(

I rode LCWP today and thought about him over and over. I don't know the location of his last breath, but if I find out, I will install some kind of subtle memorial.
Click to expand...
We did his last ride route today and stopped where he took his last breath . He climbed up Fenceline from Moro Ridge. Right before it plateaus there's a patch of cacti on the right. Apparently he just went straight into it. Some of the branches are broken off, poor guy.

Right across we placed rocks to form a cross and had a moment of silence out of respect.
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IMG_1701.JPG

The entire route is from Pac. Ridge Trailhead down Bommer, down Lizard, up Bommer to TnA, Up Willow to Fenceline.
Noel always stopped to session the big rock when you get near the bottom of TnA so we did the same.
Seb taking the far left line going down it in memory of Noel.
SEB.jpg
 
RIGID said:
We did his last ride route today and stopped where he took his last breath . He climbed up Fenceline from Moro Ridge. Right before it plateaus there's a patch of cacti on the right. Apparently he just went straight into it. Some of the branches are broken off, poor guy.

Right across we placed rocks to form a cross and had a moment of silence out of respect.
Noel always stopped to session the big rock when you get near the bottom of TnA so we did the same.
Seb taking the far left line going down it in memory of Noel.
View attachment 72381
Click to expand...
That's the big boy line... :thumbsup:

Fenceline doesn't intersect Moro Ridge, That's Missing Link. Are you describing the plateau on Missing Link at the very top of the park before it heads onto the fun rocky part, or at the other end near where it meets Fenceline, Slow and Easy and Elevator Shaft?

Regardless, I was there twice yesterday. I will stop and pay my respects now that I know where it is. I did pause and reflect at the very top while looking out toward the ocean.
 
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herzalot said:
That's the big boy line... :thumbsup:

Fenceline doesn't intersect Moro Ridge, That's Missing Link. Are you describing the plateau on Missing Link at the very top of the park before it heads onto the fun rocky part, or at the other end near where it meets Fenceline, Slow and Easy and Elevator Shaft?

Regardless, I was there twice yesterday. I will stop and pay my respects now that I know where it is. I did pause and reflect at the very top while looking out toward the ocean.
Click to expand...
My bad, you are correct. It's Missing Link. I had to youtube it to make sure. MTB Fenceline (Missing Link) Trail in Laguna Canyon, Orange County California - YouTube
It's right at 0:37 where you can see the cactus on the right.
 
I’ve also Known Noel for about 25 years. We’ve done a lot of riding together and as of late, he was more of a training partner. Over the past year, he really stepped up his game and improved his skills on the mountain bike and road bike.

He was always trying to get me out to the O.C. to ride his favorite trails. I will definitely pay my respects and visit the place where he took his last breath. I just wish it was with him.

He was a genuine, good guy and an absolute great friend. Riding with him was always a good time with tons of laughs, hammering and a some kind hearted Sh!t talking. He definitely motivated and got me out on the bike on days I would’ve stayed in. We, along with our friend Albert Cruz, we’re gonna hit all his bucket list rides. His heart was set on climbing GMR to Cogswell Dam, today, on MLK Day. He wouldn’t take no for an answer! I’ll miss his spirit, friendship and all the back and forth conversations, emails and texts about cycling.

His voice in my head is gonna help me reach the top of any climb. It’s so sad to say bye to the people we’ve lost, especially the special ones like him. I’ll cherish him and all the memories.

Here are some pictures.

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FCABA8E1-E9C1-4088-B591-1A35DD6197EE.jpeg
 
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