Penticton and South Okanagan

Friends of the 53-year-old man who died mountain biking on a trail system in Penticton Sunday identified him as Rob Mason, an avid triathlete.

Mason passed away with his wife at his side, following a day of mountain biking filled with laughs and storytelling with four close friends and training partners at the Three Blind Mice trail area, according to a family statement released Monday.

On the last stop, the statement said an accident occurred on his bike. Shortly after paramedics arrived on scene he was pronounced dead.

The BC Coroners Service confirmed Mason, an experienced cyclist, was wearing a helmet when he suffered a fall.

A preliminary investigation was underway and the cause of the man’s death was still not 100 percent clear, said coroner Barb McLintock.

Among the responders to the incident at Fred’s Trail near Turnbull Creek in the Three Blind Mice trail network were Penticton and District Search and Rescue, a BC Ambulance helicopter team and Penticton Fire Department.

Search manager Cindy Smith said Sunday the man died in an accident and was wearing a helmet at the time.

It is the second fatality in the Three Blind Mice trail network in recent months. 

Guy Du Vent, 60, of Kaleden was reported missing by his wife on Aug. 27 after failing to return from a mountain biking expedition in the area.  He was located by search and rescue and transported to Kelowna General Hospital, where he died Aug. 29.

The network of trails above Naramata Road draws in mountain bikers from all over.

Accessed at the top of Riddle Road, the trails wind through the forest and offer beautiful views of the vineyards and orchards bordering Okanagan Lake.

Online, the routes are described as being for both intermediate and advanced riders.

Mark Woods, community services manager for the RDOS, said the trail system sits on crown land and is not a regulated system by the RDOS.

Smith and others reached for comment described the two recent deaths as very unfortunate and tragic

At this time out of respect for Mason's family, it is asked that all well wishes go to we.love.rob.mason@gmail.com.