We Lost a Great Rider and Friend This Weekend

Mar 9, 2014 at 21:50
by Tyler Maine  
AJ Cleary was the kind of rider that you wanted to be like, he loved to ride, build and share his time with all his friends - be it up at Silver Star or shuttling laps near Vernon in the Summer or on skis in the Monashee range during the Winter. You'll be missed man.

**It's been brought to our attention that a fund raising campaign has been put into motion to help AJ's Widow and unborn child with expenses moving forward. Please read on and help if you are able.

AJ Cleary Memorial Fund.

This is how we'd like AJ to be remembered (thanks for the memories from all of us at Pinkbike):

AJ CLEARY- MOTO

by CATONGARVIEmedia
Views: 81,370    Faves: 1,427    Comments: 118


AJ Cleary a Moment of Clarity

by brodyjonescinema
Views: 7,361    Faves: 43    Comments: 2


RIP on in style buddy You will be missed.

The complete article AJ's passing can be read here.

Great photo shoot with Vernon ripper AJ Cleary. Style for miles.

AJ Cleary Memorial Fund.


Author Info:
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97 Comments
  • 111 0
 Sincere condolences to his wife and upcoming child and to anyone who knew him. Always be prepared when going out in the backcountry is a must but sometimes it sadly isnt enough Frown . Shred in peace AJ, sending out good vibes to family and friends.
  • 18 1
 I first met him around '95 in our hometown of St. Johns, NL when I worked at a bike and skateboard shop. He was always there in typical shop rat style. Good kid. We shared a lot of friends from that time, and I know they are devastated from this. So very sad.
  • 14 0
 A donation site has been setup for AJs widow, if everyone could please share it would be awesome.
Rest in peace brother, you'll never be forgotten.

fundrazr.com/campaigns/8iPO7/ab/32zxQb
  • 9 0
 This is a day a lot of the biking community will remember for a long time.
  • 6 1
 wow i bought this guys intense m6 frame from him, thats going to be a really weird feeling riding it tommarow...
  • 45 0
 Why does it always have to be the good ones. I'm really going to miss riding with you buddy. Your crazy amount of stoke always put a smile on my face. Rest in peace.
  • 54 0
 Also I would love to donate some money to a trust fund for his kid. Maybe we could do some kind of fundraiser on pinkbike and up at silver star.
  • 21 0
 Was thinking the same thing, would be great to get a chain less race or something going annually at silverstar to raise money for his kid.
  • 4 0
 totally agree. AJ was honestly one of the nicest dudes ever, no politics, no favorites, had the same grin if you were railing behind him or getting coached. Gutted really.
  • 6 0
 AJ was such an awesome guy that always came out to the Unicorn and made it even more fun. If anyone wouldn't find it like stepping on any toes since I know he was a Vernon guy I'd love to do something special at the Unicorn for him and raise some funds if funds are needed?
I'll miss getting his registration form with his his personal touches on it this year. RIP AJ "Turbo" Cleary
  • 22 0
 I remember AJ, I didn't know him but he took care of me when I crashed hard and sustained a bad gash on the side of my knee. AJ stayed with me, cleaned my wounds and rode down with me making sure I made it to the Hospital safely. I was lucky that he was around apparently the gash was deep to the bone and I had to be kept overnight on IV. I was happy just to have had a person like him around. AJ was truly dedicated to the Ride and everything that came with it. The Ride life. Just soo sad. I'll make sure to donate and it's the least I can do.
  • 13 0
 www.pinkbike.com/news/Summer-of-Summit-Segments-On-the-Road-2013.html

AJ comes in at 4.18

SEGMENTS would not have been the same without AJ! You will be missed

Love you buddy. R.I.P
  • 11 0
 My sincere condolences to all who knew him.
  • 5 0
 You will never be able to wipe the smile off his face! AJ was part of a special group of mountain bikers who started pushing the limits of what mountain bikers could do in NL. He was someone I looked up to as a kid and still do to this day. I'm so saddened by this and feel for wife and family.
  • 1 0
 I haven't seen AJ in many years, but I have similar memories of XC racing with him back in the mid-nineties, especially the races out in Come-by-Chance! I can definitely recognize his character and style in these riding videos!
  • 7 0
 AJ's passion and attitude was inspiring and infectious. Our community will miss you greatly. Thanks for sharing that with me AJ. Shred on in peace brother.
  • 7 0
 This man is and always will be a legend in the mountain bike scene. Lost a good man too soon! RIP Aj Cleary!
  • 10 2
 RIP AJ - Thanks for putting this up Ty.
  • 5 0
 Man, that is heavy stuff. Condolences to his family and friends.
  • 1 0
 Different incident, Aj was burried in the Monashee Mountains buy Keefer Lake on March 8th, this article looks to be in the kootenays on March 7th
  • 1 0
 I was also reading about this avalanche in Lake Louise: www.edmontonsun.com/2014/03/09/survivors-of-deadly-avalanche-near-lake-louise-saved-friend-buried-under-slide
  • 1 0
 Lee, the chasing snowflakes incident happened near Invermere and I believe that the victim is still in Vancouver General Hospital.
  • 2 0
 That's a tough read. Condolences to those that knew him well, seemed he had friends spread across the country so his passing will be felt by many. Sad.

In watching the news the past week I know that they're saying this one of the most dangerous years for avalanches and they haven't seen this kind of snow pack for some time across such a large area of the province(s). Be careful out there everyone.
  • 1 0
 Sorry about that - they are different incidents - my mistake
  • 4 0
 Buddy me son lard jumpin's. I loved chattin newfie and caryin on wit ya by'! what a laugh we'd have! you are a great man and I am forever grateful to have known you and shredded wit you. So fun and inspirational to everyone you met. Your life had been cut too short but you truly lived an amazing life and really had it figured out! We all strive to understand life as well as you did! Your passion for life showed in everything you did! Every time I roost a wicked knarly section or cook a gourmet spaghetti meal ( da AJ Cleary spaghetti special) I'll know you were there to enjoy it too!
Rest in peace bro-dder
fellow Newfi
Logan
  • 6 0
 Sad news. I did not know the man. But it is never good to have a life end so quickly with so much to live for. RIP.
  • 6 0
 Time is our only truly finite resource, never forget that.. R.I.P. brother.
  • 4 0
 I did not know him but he was a brother of the pedal and the news hits hard in the mountain bike community Thoughts are with Family & Friends Rest in Peace AJ
  • 6 0
 Man i hate to see this Frown Rest in peace man!
  • 2 0
 I wish I got to know him, it's always so tragic when a great rider/ person passes away, the whole bike community feels the a sting. My condolences go to everyone who knew him.
RIP
  • 5 0
 My thoughts go to his wife and expected child. Tragic.
  • 3 0
 Rip AJ, My thought's are with your family and friend's you will be massively missed. See you in the next life you legend sleep tight
  • 1 0
 Condolences to his wife, his family and all his friends from this side of the pond during this tough time. All my prayers to his wife and for their expected child. AJ if your reading this and your blasting the trails up their in heaven and you see a little lonely dog called Buzz. Can you take him under your wing please.
  • 2 0
 Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of another friend, thanks for putting up the memories of him. God speed my friend, you will be missed.
  • 3 0
 fundrazr.com/campaigns/8iPO7/ab/32zxQb

Memorial fund has been setup to support family in this tragic situation
  • 4 0
 rest in paradise you will be missed but not forgotten
  • 2 0
 Sad news! I feel for his wife and unborn child! This is another reason I won't start sledding! Not worth the risk to me... RIP
  • 2 0
 My deepest condolences to his wife and baby. Love to see the support from pinkbike and the mtb community backing this so much!
  • 2 0
 there are many good people on the clouds, he'll feel fine there. I wish his wife be strong enough to go through this disaster and be wise to raise future child well
  • 1 0
 “Everything he did, he did to the fullest. There wasn’t anything that he did half-way.”

That's the kind of Eulogy i would want, but wouldn't deserve. Here's to a good life AJ!
  • 4 0
 Rest in peace AJ
  • 3 0
 Rest in Peace. You will be missed.
  • 1 0
 I didn't know Cleary but it is tragic what happened but this is an amazing example of how mountain biking brings people together into one big community
  • 3 0
 My thoughts are with all of those who are close to him.
  • 3 0
 keep on shredding A.J.! RIP.
  • 4 0
 Ride in Peace bro.
  • 4 0
 He will be missed Frown
  • 2 0
 this is so tragic - my most sincere condolences goes out to his family and friends.
  • 2 0
 Rest in peace A.J. Sincerest condolences to Mrs. and the family. A true heartbreak.
  • 4 0
 Ride In Paradise.
  • 3 0
 Rest in peace AJ
  • 2 0
 RIP buddy your legacy with your stoke for life will live on!!!
  • 1 0
 man kinda reminds me of when craig kelly died, such a good person of the sport and died so young.
  • 3 0
 Rest in peace good Sir
  • 3 1
 omg i am simply speechless
  • 3 0
 R.I.P
  • 2 0
 My thoughts go to his family and friends. Rest in peace...
  • 1 0
 SO sad to hear this and such a good dude, thoughts are with the friends and family, godspeed my friend
  • 2 0
 thoughts go out to his family and friends its terrible to see this happen.
  • 2 0
 Thoughts and prayers for the family... Rest in peace.
  • 2 0
 Very sorry to hear about this, prayers sent for his family and friends.
  • 2 0
 Heartbreaking story. Rest in Peace.
  • 1 0
 RIP man, and thoughts to your family. im legit crying a bit thinking about whats happened Frown
  • 1 0
 A good man has left us. Prayers for the wife and babe to be. Much love to you and your community.
  • 1 0
 Respect for this man! Great riding style in the videos. You'll be missed. RIP AJ
  • 1 0
 Great man for the sport in the okanagan,it was a pleasure to have meet and ridin with you. r.i.p.
  • 1 0
 愿你在天堂还能骑车 。阿门。
  • 1 0
 My thoughts and prayers to the family! Rest in Peace bro!
  • 1 0
 Meus sinceros sentimentos aos amigos e familia!
  • 1 0
 Damn, all my condolences for his family and friends. Ride In Peace buddy.
  • 1 0
 Rip Aj condolence to the family of Aj.
  • 1 0
 Ride in Peace AJ, your a true Legend of our sport
  • 1 0
 Ride In Peace dude... such a sick rider....
  • 1 0
 RIP - left too soon, gonna be missed!
  • 1 0
 You were an awesome guy... RIP and shred up above.
  • 1 0
 Truly tragic. Rest in peace AJ.
  • 1 0
 My condolences go out to his family.
  • 2 1
 My condolences to the family and friends. Ride In Peace
  • 1 0
 Rest In Peace. My upmost condolences to friends and family.
  • 1 0
 Oh bummer, he will be missed.
  • 2 0
 how did he die ?
  • 1 0
 R.I.P Aj
  • 1 0
 Rest In Peace.
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace.AJ
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace.
  • 4 0
 AJ was one of original FRMS riders in Newfoundland he pushed me to the limit every time we raced or rode our bikes. Canada has lost one of our unsung heroes of the sport.
  • 1 0
 Rest in Peace.
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace
  • 1 0
 RIP Fratello
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace.
  • 1 0
 Shred in peace Aj
  • 1 1
 What happens with him?
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