Martin Versluys Accident, Acorn Inn
Donation protected
Last Sunday, Mother's Day, a dear friend of Squadra Coppi and Dutch cycling hard man of Nelson County, VA, Martin Versluys was struck by a car while riding. The following is the police report.
“At approximately 3:45 p.m. on May 14, Virginia State Police troopers were called to the scene of a Nelson County crash in which a bicyclist was struck.
The bicyclist was traveling northbound on Route 151 when a southbound sedan turned left onto River Road, crossing the path of the bicyclist and causing the bicyclist to strike the passenger side of the vehicle.
"The bicyclist – Martinus Versluys, 70, of Faber – suffered serious injuries and was flown by Med-Flight to the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The driver was not injured. He is charged with failure to yield right of way.
The crash remains under investigation"
Martin was initially admitted into the ICU. He was traveling downhill and hit the car face first. Broke every bone in his face expect right cheek bone. Miraculously he did not break in bones in the lower half of his body. For those of you who know Martin, he is a very fit 70 year old. Still logs many miles annually in Nelson County and around the world. Back in the day raced with the Dutch national and was a support rider for Joop Zoetemelk. His fitness has played a vital role in his recovery thus far. By Wednesday 5/17 he was out of the ICU, moved to a private room. Jaw wired shut and preparing for facial reconstruction surgery on Monday 5/22.
Martin and his wife Kathy, run the Acorn Inn, a bed & breakfast located in Nellysford / Wintergreen. http://www.acorninn.com/ Squadra Coppi met Martin and Kathy spring of 1998 when they hosted our first spring training camp. And every year since with the exception of a very few, we have returned for welcoming hospitality, homelike accommodations, great food and fantastic riding. Acorn Inn has also hosted for training camps of other MABRA teams and independent frame builders (Sax, Kellogg, IF to name a few) annual get together.
Martin and Kathy manage their B&B without staff which includes the Inn, Farmhouse and Cottage. A full time job for the two of them with Martin doing the lion’s share of building / ground maintenance, delivering/setting up meals and laundry. Hence the primary purpose for this fundraising effort. After surgery, it is likely to be some months before Martin can assist Kathy in managing the Inn. At the moment friends and neighbors are pitching in but for the long haul, Kathy is anticipating needing to hire staff in order to run the Inn. Though necessary, this is a significant unanticipated expense which has an immediate need to fill.
In support of our dear friends, Squadra Coppi is sponsoring this fundraising campaign in an effort to keep Acorn Inn functioning as usual through the Spring and coming Summer. This is Martin and Kathy’s busiest time of the year. Kathy asked us to be very clear that they are not the instigators of this campaign and they are not. This is the imagination of Squadra Coppi and we are hoping that other cycling enthusiast and friends of Acorn Inn will step up and help in this time of need.
So yes, any monetary contribution will be greatly appreciated. If your schedule allows and you are so inclined, you can volunteer to work at Acorn Inn. Please contact Kathy through their website. Who knows, you may even get in some good training miles. And if not, guaranteed your support will be greatly appreciated by Martin and Kathy.
Thank you for your consideration
Squadra Coppi
“At approximately 3:45 p.m. on May 14, Virginia State Police troopers were called to the scene of a Nelson County crash in which a bicyclist was struck.
The bicyclist was traveling northbound on Route 151 when a southbound sedan turned left onto River Road, crossing the path of the bicyclist and causing the bicyclist to strike the passenger side of the vehicle.
"The bicyclist – Martinus Versluys, 70, of Faber – suffered serious injuries and was flown by Med-Flight to the University of Virginia Medical Center. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The driver was not injured. He is charged with failure to yield right of way.
The crash remains under investigation"
Martin was initially admitted into the ICU. He was traveling downhill and hit the car face first. Broke every bone in his face expect right cheek bone. Miraculously he did not break in bones in the lower half of his body. For those of you who know Martin, he is a very fit 70 year old. Still logs many miles annually in Nelson County and around the world. Back in the day raced with the Dutch national and was a support rider for Joop Zoetemelk. His fitness has played a vital role in his recovery thus far. By Wednesday 5/17 he was out of the ICU, moved to a private room. Jaw wired shut and preparing for facial reconstruction surgery on Monday 5/22.
Martin and his wife Kathy, run the Acorn Inn, a bed & breakfast located in Nellysford / Wintergreen. http://www.acorninn.com/ Squadra Coppi met Martin and Kathy spring of 1998 when they hosted our first spring training camp. And every year since with the exception of a very few, we have returned for welcoming hospitality, homelike accommodations, great food and fantastic riding. Acorn Inn has also hosted for training camps of other MABRA teams and independent frame builders (Sax, Kellogg, IF to name a few) annual get together.
Martin and Kathy manage their B&B without staff which includes the Inn, Farmhouse and Cottage. A full time job for the two of them with Martin doing the lion’s share of building / ground maintenance, delivering/setting up meals and laundry. Hence the primary purpose for this fundraising effort. After surgery, it is likely to be some months before Martin can assist Kathy in managing the Inn. At the moment friends and neighbors are pitching in but for the long haul, Kathy is anticipating needing to hire staff in order to run the Inn. Though necessary, this is a significant unanticipated expense which has an immediate need to fill.
In support of our dear friends, Squadra Coppi is sponsoring this fundraising campaign in an effort to keep Acorn Inn functioning as usual through the Spring and coming Summer. This is Martin and Kathy’s busiest time of the year. Kathy asked us to be very clear that they are not the instigators of this campaign and they are not. This is the imagination of Squadra Coppi and we are hoping that other cycling enthusiast and friends of Acorn Inn will step up and help in this time of need.
So yes, any monetary contribution will be greatly appreciated. If your schedule allows and you are so inclined, you can volunteer to work at Acorn Inn. Please contact Kathy through their website. Who knows, you may even get in some good training miles. And if not, guaranteed your support will be greatly appreciated by Martin and Kathy.
Thank you for your consideration
Squadra Coppi
Organizer and beneficiary
David Wolfel
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Martinus Versluys
Beneficiary