Team Spine rider killed

Bay Area rider Dan Plummer, member of Northern California amateur road-racing team Spine, was killed on New Year's Day morning when a tree snapped and fell on him as he began an early morning ride. Heavy rain and forceful winds wrecked havoc on Northern California last weekend, making the tree come down.

The 39 year-old was research scientist from Redwood City and had been racing for about 10 years. Plummer will be honoured with a memorial ride to be announced on Team Spine's website: www.teamspine.com.