'I will never forget him': North Shore mountain bike community mourns 'legend' in extreme trail riding
Thirty-one-year-old Matt Rose had been mountain biking with Andrew Chu for months before learning he was decades younger than the man considered to be a legend in the North Shore trail riding community.
“It was no different than if I was riding with a friend who was 21 or 15, like out going nuts trying to check out the big features. He was like a big boy in a lot of ways,” said Rose, who was a fan of the 51-year-old Chu on social media for years before meeting him in person.
“On Instagram I saw this crazy guy’s reels pop up, and he was doing stuff on an e-bike I never thought was possible on an e-bike. He just seemed like a real unique person,” said Rose.
The two men, who bonded over the love of extreme trail riding, created the Once a Month Free Ride Club that met at the base of Cypress Mountain, where Chu encouraged and instructed less-experienced riders.
“It seemed like everyone we bumped into he knew or knew of him on the North Shore,” said Rose. Many fellow riders half Chu’s age marvelled at his skill and willingness to tackle difficult trails.
“I think more than that, just his personality is what he was a legend for. He was filled with joy and passion for biking,” Rose said.
On Saturday, March 6, during a club ride on Cypress, Chu was demonstrating how to descend a rock slab when he lost control and crashed into a tree. His heart stopped, and he could not be revived. Rose, who was riding a different part of the mountain, learned about his friend’s death in a phone call.
“I couldn’t get through this if it wasn’t for the people that I have in the riding community,” said Rose of Chu’s death. The morning after the tragedy, members of that community gathered at the spot where Chu took his last ride.
“We brought flowers and it just kind of felt right to lay them down and open a few beers and pour them out for him,” said Rose.
A memorial for Andrew Chu is seen on the trail where he died. (Matt Rose)
Chu was married to fellow mountain bike enthusiast Kaede Sakurai, and worked as an educational assistant in the North Vancouver School District.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better to do it, someone who just had time for people. He would really just focus on taking care of people, so I can only imagine he was exceptional in that job because he was so exceptional at making time for us," said Rose.
An online fundraiser created for Chu’s widow has more than quadrupled the original goal of $5,000.
“His reach, sometimes I think I have a handle on it, and then I’ll get a message request on instagram from someone,” said Rose. “Decades of legacy and people that he’s touched.”
The North Shore mountain biking community is brainstorming ways to honour Chu’s legacy.
“We want to set up some memorials in the woods and build something a bit more permanent, probably name a trail in his honour. As much as we can do,” said Rose.
The riding buddy 20 years Chu’s junior, who went from Instagram follower to friend, added “I will never forget him.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.