Mark Bixby's son, Ryan, in red shirt, leads a hundred cyclists to the top of the Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach on Friday, March 25, 2011, in memory of Mark, who died in a plane crash March 16. A bike path on the new bridge replacing the Gerald Desmond will be named in Mark Bixby's honor. (Diandra Jay/Press-Telegram)

The Long Beach Press Telegram featured Mark’s Memorial service.

The rider with his head down is Mark’s bother Grant.

The caption under the photograph was copied from the Press Telegram article.

Jensen's Brown Trout (Patagonia)

Doug Jenen (Mike’s brother) posts Mike’s recovery progress on CaringBridge.org: ( 3-24-11)
Buenos Dias,
I’m beginning to feel rather repetitive, yet grateful that I can report healing progress and good news.

Mike had a good night and is looking better everyday as swelling decreases. It’s amazing how he is healing. No fever, he’s very stable, he tolerated his procedures yesterday/last night quite well and the Doc suggested that he will be brought out of heavy sedation over the next few days.

Mike’s Family continues to do well and thanks everyone for their support.

I’m looking forward to day in the Mule.Man’s recovery when the doctors tell us we can visit.  We’ll have to make our visits a regular routine until they kick him out.

Last Day of Tortuga 500 w/ Chronic Taco's Wee-Man in Redondo Beach

Mark’s bandwidth was unrivaled. Below is a list of books he recently sent me for the blog:

[Mark] Books I’ve Read on Cycling:

•Bicycle Diaries; David Byrne (Talking Heads lead singer; interesting if a bit slow)

•Bicycling and the Law; Bob Mionske (For geeks who want a thorough knowledge base from which to argue with peace officers)

•Bicycling Science, 3rd Edition; David Gordon Wilson (For Cycling Geeks)

•Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilously Realigning the World of Cycling; by Eben Weiss Read more »

Somewhere on the Tortuga 500 Trail 2011

Martin’s gonna break the rules and visit the Mule Man this evening (Monday March 21) so he can tell’em:

All the Freddies are getting ahead so you better get it together.

Below Status Report Posted on CaringBridge by Doug Carpenter:

Mike is resting comfortably..his doctor met with the family this evening and has downgraded his condition to serious but stable.. C’mon..like Diane said “Mike is anything but stable”… Dougie [sneaked] me in to see him and besides the fact he looks like the Michelin Man on steroids he looks remarkably well..he is still on the ventilator but is now breathing partly on his own..he had another battery of tests today CT etc all of which looked good…he still has the pump in his abdomen and it has been working very well to reduce his swelling from all the fluids…and they finally gave him a bath..actually he had hydro therapy on his burns which is critical to reduce the risk of infection and start the healing process…our Mule has a long way to go yet..but he is moving forward with the gusto were all too familiar with…keep your thoughts and prayers coming..
Diane, the girls, Dougie, the Jensen’s, and the PRP team send their thanks and love..

BTW: It wasn’t any easier today . . .  it’s the reality impacting;  it’s like a sine-wave.

The Bix would understand sine-wave shit.
He’d say: You’re weak! (momentarily).

2011 San Jose - Long Beach: Mike in a pensive moment (thinking about Ragged Point)

Doug Jensen (Mike’s brother)  has set up a page on Caringbridge.org/visit/mjensen for Mike’s friends and family to stay updated on Mike’s progress.

Mike’s Status Summary: (Saturday March 19, 9:00pm)

•Burn Status: approx. 23%  2nd & 3rd degree, rather than 35-40% .
•swelling has diminished significantly
•sedated, yet he’s responding to nurses requests to move his fingers and toes.
•nearly jumped out of bed this morning, so they’re adjusting his meds
•UCI Staff [burn center]: thank all for respecting the no visitor, no call policy – for now.

Doug’s Post on CaringBridge:

Dearest Freddies and Friends… Mike loves and considers you all family.

As we all would expect of Mike, he continues to make tremendous progress in his healing process!

The Doctors have assessed and revised his burn status to approximately 23% second and third degree burns, rather than 35-40% . Read more »

Hwy-Patrol protecting them from themselves. Hwy17: The Tortuga 500 2011

March 18 12:00pm

Martin Howard has talked with Mike’s brother Doug and his wife Diane:

I just got off the phone with Diane…Mike was transferred yesterday evening to the UCI Burn Unit in Orange…and as Dougie Jensen put it “were not in Kansas anymore”..Diane says they have the most amazing surgeon looking after him who happens to live in Belmont Shore(I’ll try and get her name)..she says the burn unit is amazing..Mike has 3 to 5 specialists looking after him.. Read more »

Mike Jensen:  Improved.  Moving to UCI Burn Center.

According to Rick Rucker, a friend and Pulmonary MD:

12:30pm

They decided to take Mike to the OR today to re-examine the abdomen.  Obviously they thought he was stable enough to go [to the burn center] today.  He went to the OR earlier to recheck his bowel and everything seemed to be OK – bowel looked healthy with no more bleeding.  They closed up the abdomen and have no plans for further surgery there.  They also cleaned up his burns and reported deep partial thickness burns at 25% and superficial burns at 15%.  Everything else seems to be doing well.  He is just the guy who may beat the odds. Read more »

9:17am Thursday March 17

Mike Jensen:  Improved.  Still Critical.

According to Rick Rucker, a friend and Pulmonary MD:

Only good news to report today. No more bleeding from his internal injuries and his blood pressure is very stable. He is heavily sedated and on life support. His facial burns and lacerations are not as bad as originally thought. He has second degree burns on his back and legs. He has 40% surface burn area in total. He has a minor left fibular and ankle fracture minor left hand and wrist fractures and possible stable lower back vertebral fracture..none of which should require surgery. He did not have any signs of brain Read more »

9:30pm Wednesday March 16

Mike Jensen:  Improved.  Still Critical.

According to Rick Rucker, a friend and Pulmonary MD:

Mike is better. Bleeding has stopped and blood pressure is stable – [Mike] is off of cardiac meds. They were able to get the oxygen down to 40%.  Still very critical and tenuous, but any improvement is good. Read more »

Mark Bixby: A tragic accident took Mark’s life today.

His energy:  limitless
His optimism:  unwavering
His enthusiasm to learn: boundless
His bandwidth: unrivaled

It was an honor to be your friend.

We loved you dearly.

We will miss you deeply.

Everyone pray for Mike Jensen’s recovery.

Please accept my sincere apologies if you hadn’t yet heard of Mark’s & Mike’s Accident.

Please click here to see Long Beach Press Telegram for details.

A text we received tonight from Charlie Gandy I’d like to share:

In memory of Mark Bixby, I rode to the top of the Desmond Bridge tonight and recorded this sunset.  His legacy is long.  And his vision is magnificent.
~Charlie Gandy