Cycling enthusiasts mourn Clarkston man hit by car

A Clarkston man killed this week while riding his bicycle was remembered by Atlanta-area cycling enthusiasts as a “fixture” and a leader in their close-knit community.

Richard C. Baker, 60, was riding his bike to work when he was hit by a car around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday on Otello Avenue near Clarkston. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, said DeKalb County police spokeswoman Mekka Parish.

“The cyclist didn’t stop for a stop sign,” Parish said.

A friend of the victim, Peter Wicker, disputed the police report about the man many friends called “Chris.”

“I don’t think that would be Chris, running a stop sign,” Wicker said. “He was a very responsible rider. He always chastised other riders for not obeying the rules of the road.”

Wicker, owner of Outback Bikes in Little Five Points, said his friend of 25 years was a leader among the cyclists who knew him.

“He was very gregarious and not afraid to speak his mind,” Wicker said. “On the weekends, he led our Sunday rides that go about 50 miles.”

Cyclist Mark Linenberg said Baker’s age wasn’t a factor during the long-distance rides.

“He’s been a fixture at the fastest rides for years,” Linenberg said. “He was very strong. He would hang on, finishing with the expert bikers.”

Linenberg said Baker gave of himself, organizing rides and keeping cyclists abreast of activities.

“He was truly genuine,” Linenberg said. “The cycling community was very, very deeply saddened.”

An office manager for a psychiatrist, Baker road his bike 15 miles to work every day and was killed just a few miles from his home, those who knew him said.

“I’m honored that people thought so much of him,” his wife of 37 years, Susan Baker, said Thursday night. “He just was an ordinary guy who loved to bike. He died doing what he loved.”

Baker’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Dahlonega United Methodist Church. Bannister Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.