Re: The passing of Karl Dittebrandt

Aug 23, 2019 at 02:41 PM

All,
I am very saddened to inform you that a great official and our friend Karl Dittebrandt passed away peacefully this morning. Karl gave a huge amount of himself to cycling over the decades and was one of the most active officials in New York (officiating 43 times last year, more than anyone else!). He was an expert on the track (Category A), on the road (Category

, and our traditional “moto official captain” (Category C) at venues all over New York City.
We will miss him dearly.
-Jeff Poulin

mugwump

Aug 23, 2019 at 03:41 PM

He was a Kissena member for years and years, I believe.

When he found he wasn't fast enough at road and track racing, it seems that he moved on to brevets and got deeper into officiating.

mugwump

Aug 23, 2019 at 04:26 PM

some stuff I found on FB about Karl

Karl Dittebrandt... I'm so sad to learn via Facebook of Karl's passing, RIP. How many times did I say I'd visit him and now feeling sad I didn't. I knew he was sick but didn't know exactly how sick. In the last years, he was a motorcade driver for the CRCA Central Park bicycle races and officiating at USCF races. He was talented as a cyclist and coach. A lot of laughs with Karl ... I met Karl at Steve Britt's 200K NYC out of the Youth Hostel Uptown. I'll never forget how he led an entire group (20 people?) on that 200K (Audax style double paceline) off course and in front of Steve Britt (organizer) - up to 9W because he didn't want to go down Palisades Ave in Englewood Cliffs. He was fearless and determined - always knew what was the best way.

He was the founder of Audax New York City. (here he was modeling his jersey design and convinced him to let me shoot some photos) .... If you look close, you'll see his Kissena jersey underneath. He was a huge help to me on brevets - as a mentor. We probably got along so great - both being controllers

He was a well-rounded cyclist and volunteer - Audax, Randonneur, Road Racer, Track Racer, Motorcade driver for CRCA, USCF Official, Kissena Velodrome, Cyclocross, etc... I will miss Karl and I'm sure the entire cycling world will too... He was a long-time member of the New York Cycle Club.

--Diane Goodwin

This morning many of us have learned that Karl has passed away peacefully. We are all saddened by his departure. On behalf of Verrazano Team racing, we would like to say thank you. Without Karl's support, our Randall's Island race series won't have gotten off smoothly, if at all. He would never be forgotten. He would forever be in our hearts.

--Verrazano Team Racing

We are sad to announce that Karl Dittebrandt passed away. Karl was one of our most trusted pacers for many years and also officiated at our races. Thank you, Karl, for your devotion to the sport. You will be missed.

--L&C Cup

Diane's photo (He's got a 2000-era jersey on under the one seen)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5019667/uploads/editor/73/a3uuzi2l5zk7.jpg

eloy

Aug 23, 2019 at 07:57 PM

Karl was the definition of awesome. The NYC cycling scene will miss him terribly, I will miss chatting with him at cross races. He raced, in a kissena jersey, deep into his 60s. Honestly, always made me think that I wanted to be a little like him when I grow up.

mugwump

Aug 26, 2019 at 02:53 PM

coming across stuff on Karl. Here's one from HH

https://www.hhracingteam.com/single-post/2018/09/14/Our-Karl-Dittebrandt