For those unaware, we lost a stalwart of the local cycling community early this morning. Fernando Heria Jr, 25, known to most as "Ferny" was involved in a fatal accident on the 836 near Le Jeune Road. My deepest condolences to his friends and family, the world has lost a great man.
This is rather difficult for me to write since I am still in disbelief. I knew Ferny for less than three years but considered him a close friend. He was one of the most charismatic, humorous and a genuinely caring people I have ever known. He was a very hard worker, always bearing a smile, and truly one of a kind as attested by his many friends.
Ferny participated in many aspects of the Miami cycling scene. He attended community meetings, Critical Mass, Cranksgiving, most alleycats, group rides, etc. It was him and I that started the fast paced Winged Wednesday rides in 2008 and in 2009 he was the main force behind the brutal Manic Monday rides.
Ferny was a shining star, a staple in local unsanctioned bike races. He won more combined Loose Cannons races than anyone else and was the only person who could boast winning Loose Cannons twice in the same night (April Fools' 2009). It was always great to ride with him, he was always willing to pull, and generously shared his bar tab winnings with friends. He was also the only person I've ever allowed to be a moderator on the MIA Fixed forum.
Try searching "Ferny" on this blog, his name will mostly come up in relation to him winning a race or me thanking him for not showing up to a race thus allowing others to win. He really had a lot more heart than most people I've ever encountered.
So many great things can be said about Ferny, I can go on and on. If you knew him or just wish to show your support we would really appreciate it if you joined us for a special occasion. We will be hosting a group ride in memory of Ferny this Wednesday December 22nd, it would have been his 26th birthday. After the ride we will gather with his friends at the BAR to celebrate his life.
[Edit: 12/21]
Details:
Ferny Birthday Celebration Ride
Wednesday, December 22nd
7:30pm
Meet at South Miami Library (6000 Sunset Drive)
We'll ride through South Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Brickell and end at the BAR (28 NE 14th Street) in Downtown.
Ferny's wake will be held on Thursday 12/23 from 6pm to midnight.
Funeraria Memorial Plan
9800 Coral Way
Miami, FL 33165
All his friends are welcomed.
Ferny, it was an honor getting to know you these past two and a half years, thank you for always being supportive and enthusiastic about what we've been building here together. I'm glad I had the opportunity to hang out and converse with you one last time on Saturday night. I really hope you're somewhere nice, surrounded by beautiful women, Italian bikes and cases of Prosecco. The next time I encounter a strong tail wind I will pretend to be drafting you, I should probably emphasize pretend because the reality is I could barely hold on to your wheel for more than a block.
Rest In Power.. Forever Champion
Epic video of Ferny, Alex Fix and MIA Fixed crew during Loose Cannons race from Coconut Grove to Upper East Side in 2009.
PS Lancito, you never faked it, you never fronted. It's truly a shame that you are no longer with us.
Ferny was the genuine article.
ReplyDeleteLike Rydel said, never fronting.
He was larger than life and brought a lot of joy to the people around him.
He will be sorely missed.
Wow that video brought tears to my eyes. It really showed everything that was awesome about riding with Ferny. His punishing attacks, his relentless pulls, and the smile on his face despite losing because it was all about riding hard and having fun. I miss those times and all the riders in that video who no longer ride in Miami. But I will miss Ferny most of all because he was the one that was always going to be there at the front of the pack waiting for the rest of us to catch up. We'll be there soon man just please give us a little breather before you attack again.
ReplyDeleteI am going to miss you Ferny
Ride Bike, Raise Hell, Mash Hard
At first, we did not want to have a memorial for Ferny because it is WAY TOO painful for the family but we decided that it is not fair for the many people that love him not to say their goodbyes. Please show your support and love on Thursday, December 23, 2010 from 6:00 pm to midnight. Memorial Funeral home 9800 Coral Way, Miami, FL
ReplyDeleteA wonderful, inteligent and gerous person who filled us with his presence for 26 years and will live forever in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteLove you Ferny always in my heart!
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Ferny's mom would like to say:
ReplyDelete"Lo que me ha hecho mas feliz el dia de hoy durante el cumpleaños de mi fernandito es saber cuanto querian a mi hijo. Me hace tan orgullosa. Muchas gracias a todos por hacerme sentir que mi hijo era tan especial. Bendiciones a todos y yo se que mi hijo no lo perdi, el esta en el corazon de cada uno de ustedes."
-Beatriz Heria
Thank you for showing her son so much love. It makes her so so proud. He lives within all of us, giving us the fuel to peddle harder.
Rocked my Bianchi jersey today in honor of Ferny. He will live forever in all of us.
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank everyone who joined us tonight for the ride and celebration, it was a very beautiful yet painful experience. It really meant a lot to his family and they were very grateful for it. It was a pleasure meeting his mother, sisters, brother-in-law and father and getting to know more about Ferny, it's unfortunate it was under these circumstances. A lot of us also met lots of Ferny's childhood friends who had nothing but great things to say about him, no surprise. We all shared our "Ferny" stories. Lancito.. we got the Prosceco! Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteI'm terribly sorry for not be able to arrive on time and support my family with my presence in this moment but I'm with them with all my heart and my soul.
ReplyDeleteI am very grateful to everyone for being with my family at this time and to support them with your presence and showing them how wonderful it was our Ferny.
THANK YOU! for being there yesterday and to join them today in their last goodbye!
December 23, 2010 from 6:00 pm to midnight. Memorial Funeral home 9800 Coral Way, Miami, FL
Love you Ferny always in my heart!
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