My husband and I travel this road frequently, and see people on bicycles every week. This could have happened to any driver. The weekend of Halloween, we came up behind a cyclist IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, on the yellow line, after dark...not a smart move on the cyclists part.

Why don't they put up Share the road signs since so many cyclist ride on that road.

I am so sorry for both the cyclist and the young man. There roads out here are NOT meant for cycling! They are winding and narrow without any shoulders. The only way to avoid the cyclists is to wait until you have a clear path to drive around them into an oncoming lane.

Absolutely agree with WarriorMom, hence the "Share The Road" signs. Without any prior warning, cars (and drivers) have no way of knowing they are sharing the road with cyclists. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." as said by Ben Franklin.

Yes, a heavily traveled road by cyclists! There is a huge group that ride every Tuesday night all around that area.

To expand a little on my previous comment. Walton County for several reasons, (some of which are the proximity to Tribble Mill and National Horse Parks, as well as other bicycle parks in the surroundings areas of Loganville and Walton County and because of the beatiful coutry roads, beatiful hills and valleys) makes it an attractive place to road bike in northern Georgia. I have seen groups of 50 cyclists or more riding in Walton County on a weekly basis. It is great for local business and tourism around Walton County's small towns cyclists tour during their rides. The county needs to embrace this and provide adequate warnings to drivers as a preventive measure.

A couple of weekends ago one of the cyclists did not even stop at a stop sign at HWY 81 and flew across the road in front of traffic. The person in front of me had to lock down their brakes and I had to do the same. The other 3 with him did stop for the stop sign. The one that crossed over was lucky that he did not get hit.

God loved the world so much that he gave the only son he had to die on a cross for every person on earth who ever lived. He allowed his Son to die because he did not want others to die and be seperated from him forever. That is what Mark trusted in. His wishes were that others would find the wonderful peace that comes from believing in that truth too. John chapter three in the Bible explains the whole story beautifully. Mark and the drivers unsteady hands were cause for an accident that evening. Mark put his life in the steady hands of Jesus a long time ago. I know--I am his brother Dan.

There is also a problem with cyclists on Marce Camp Road. Quite often there will be several of them trying to make their way up the very blind hill and rifing in the middle of the road. Since it's not uncommon for drivers to come over that hill going way too fast and unable to see until they have crested it, I'm just waiting for the day when a car hits several cyclists at one time. The roads are picturesque but they are also dangerous with curves and, in the case of Marce Camp Road, hills making it almost impossible at times for drivers to see the cyclists until they are right at them. There has been at least one fatal vehicle crash on that hill in the past few years because a car came over the hill traveling far too fast and driving in the center of the road, hitting a pickup truck. The young man driving the car was killed and the driver of the truck was seriously injured.

Mark accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and is now rejoicing at the right hand of our Lord. He spread the Gospel to everyone he came in contact with. Our comfort is having the assurance that we who are Believers will see Mark again someday! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

My big brother was a wonderful first born son, a great brother and a fun uncle!
Holly

Mark was like a father to me. He called me his daughter and accepted me as his own and took care of me despite my faults. He has been a huge influence in my life since I was 10 years old. I lived with him for 3 months up until a week ago. Mark was doing what he was supposed to; the driver was not paying attention. He was doing what he loved to do. He can ride his bike where ever he pleases; he lived about .2 miles from the scene. With such a beautiful road right by home, why would anyone not take advantage of that? He was doing nothing wrong, at all. I will never forget yesterday for as long as I live. I am totally grounded by what has happened. Cyclist awareness needs to be raised. Yesterday it was our beloved Markie; tomorrow it could be someone else. I am asking anyone who reads this and agrees to help me and my mother (his girlfriend and love of his life for 10 years) find a way to atleast have "Share The Road" signs placed on Broadnax Mill. As posted above, it is a heavy bike riding area, and bike clubs ride every Tuesday night. He had told me many times how people would fly past him, blowing their horns, trying to run him off the road. This MUST stop. Please raise cyclist awareness and pay attention. It could save your life and someone elses. This is a horrible tragedy to me, my family and his. This has hit me harder than anyone can imagine. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I take comfort in knowing he is in Heaven, and I will see him again. I love you, Marcus.

I am so sorry for the death of this cyclist. PRAYERS go out to the family and friends. I travel this road everyday. I try my best to watch out for deer and cyclist. But lets also PRAY for the driver that hit him. We don't know exactly what happened. The cyclist could of swirve over to much, the driver of the truck could of not been paying attention. It has happened, we cannot change it. We need to PRAY for the driver as well and his family and friends. He was a young driver. I heard he took it very hard yesterday evening. This has got to be very devastiing for him. So GOD would want us to PRAY for all involved. I am so sorry that this had to happen. May we all pay attention more no matter where you drive, what you are driving or where you are walking.

Mark was a great guy and he was completely sold out to the Lord. I always liked debating him about my Calvinism and his Arminianism. He was one of the few that also enjoyed such debates. I have known the family for over 25 years. You are all in my prayers.

To Patty Burgess; how did a cyclist cause a car to collide with a pickup truck on Marce Camp Road? As for the cyclists coming up the hill, should one cyclist go ahead and stop the fast cars coming over the hill? Common sense would be for all cars to slow down and drive defensively. There are defensive driving classes offered and cover these and other potential hazardous driving conditions.

As Ashley Daunhauer said, people should slow down and use the brains God gave them.

When you ride a bike on these roads you have accepted that you may be hit by a car. Seriously just because its legal, its not always smart.

I figured out 20 years ago when I started riding on any road what the risks are, but that was common sense on my part. Think about how many bike riders get killed by other bike riders. Then read the apart about the car and the pickup truck. When the car hit the truck, was that smart? It was bad judgement and illegal, as was the case in Mark's death. Passing a bicycle is only legal by crossing the center line in which the center line must not be a solid yellow line. This is stated in the Georgia Driver's Handbook. It sounds like there is more of a lack of respect for non motorist and the law. I will quote again, "As Ashley Daunhauer said, people should slow down and use the brains God gave them", and add that motorist do not rule the road. The government does and the rules they make are enforced by law enforcement officials.

@ Monica- One time, I saw a car commit a traffic offense back on those roads, should cars not drive on them? What does a cyclist running a stop sign have to do with what happened to Mark? As stated, he was LEGALLY riding in the travel lane when plowed over from behind (If that driver wasn't texting, I'll eat a booger). I rode with Mark several times on these roads only to be harrassed by young punks in daddy's truck buzzing us, blowing train horns, throwing objects etc. I think the law should get more aggressive in both car & bike violators. If these dummies could see the end result of showing their butts, maybe they would think twice before they act.

Tom

Mark happened to be riding alone yesterday afternoon. I was with a group of about 10 or 12 riders only a few miles behind when this accident occurred. The police got to the scene just a few minutes ahead of us and blocked the road, turning us around. We didn't even realize that the accident involved a cyclist till we heard the news later. The point is, 10-15 minutes later there would have been a group of cyclist in the same spot. Mark was a brother, uncle and friend to many. I know that our group yesterday included brothers, sisters, fathers, sons and daughters, and more. I have three kids at home that count on me and my father in law was riding with us too. This kind of accident could easily have affected many more families and should be seen as a wake up call to all of us. I see more and more cyclists every day, gas prices are going higher and people are looking for more ways to get around, save gas or just get some exercise. All drivers (myself included) need to slow down and be alert to everything around them. So many people are angry at cyclists but this could just as easily have been someone out for a jog, someone going out to pick up the newspaper or check the mail or maybe just out for a walk on a beautiful evening. Look around at your family and think how they would feel if you were gone and next time you see a cyclist/jogger/walker/etc. remember that person is probably very much like you. Please slow down and you might just save a life or lives.
Rob

The young man behind the wheel is my nephew. We are truly sadden by the horrific accident. It was exactly that, a horrible accident. He is an amazing, loving and Christian kid. We all need to pray for all involved.

our condelences to the girlfriend and family. Two families have been effected by this tragedy.please pray for both of them. we have been here for over 25 years and only the last couple of years have we had such great cyclist interest on broadnax dr.We love to walk and ride but that is no longer a safe choice because the road is to busy and to dangerous. You can not walk on this road without someone trying ,yes trying to run over you, throw something at you or shouting obsence comments. We have notice in the last few months that some of the cyclists have also become somewhat agressive, Im sure they have been harrassed enough times however pointing fingers does not change that a man has been taken from his family and friends.You can put all the signs up that you want but that is not going to change anything for now or the future this road is just to dangerous for cyclist. We need funding for trail or sidewalk for these people to be safe so in honor of Mark please don't let this death be wasted . Cyclist join together to get the state or county to change this situation.

From my family to all those grieving, may God be with you in your time of mourning. My husband and I have ridden with Mark several times and are deeply saddened by the loss of such a vibrant soul. I am willing to put in the hours and whatever else it takes to get Share The Road signs put up on this very road that I have cycled alone on many times. God bless.

Mark was my uncle, and he left this world doing what he loved most. I didn't know until yesterday that God was preparing me for this day. Earlier this year, I sent Uncle Mark 4 index cards to sign for me, (I am an autograph person), I asked him to sign 3 of them, and the fourth he could inscribe what ever he wanted. He put two scriptures on the fourth. I can see that God is in conrol because of the scriptures that he inscribed on it, they are: Job 12:10 and 1 Chronicles 28:9-10. In Job 12:10 it says "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." This day didn't catch Uncle Mark by surprise, he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and he was ready to go home at any time that God called him. God has given me peace through all of this, and I am comforted because I know that when God calls me home, Uncle Mark will be there waiting for me.

Of all the families out there, why was it this one's turn to have a brother, son, uncle yanked away? Nobody knows. It's no use trying to understand. We just sit motionless, stunned, perplexed. We feel the waves of sadness bleeding over on us, their friends. But the empty void will give way to a peace stronger than a brick wall. The final chapter on this family is already written, -it's a happy ending, You might say I have some inside information.

I have been riding on Broadnax for over 20 years, and know others who have too. I live .3 miles from the scene of the accident, and must ride Broadnax to get to and from my house for any ride I do. The law is clear, cyclists have the same right to use the road as motorists. Adding signage may help a little, but the fact is that people need to slow down. The speed limit is 55 on Broadax, but cars frequently do 65+. Why? Too big of a hurry. Cars also run the stop sign at Broanax and Youth Monroe frequently. I know, because I see it several times a week. Common sense and courtesy for others on the road, whether in cars, on tractors, or bicycles, isn't commonly used. It is unlawful to ride a bike on a sidewalk, so that is not an appropriate solution. Courtesy for others is. I am frequently passed by motorists within 100 feet of a stop sign, even though I'm signalling a left turn. Why do motorists have to pass a bicycle at all costs? Even if it puts them left of a double yellow line at an intersection? What will a motorist do with the 15 seconds they save by passing a cyclcist unsafely on a hill, in a curve, or at an intersection illegally? Nothing important, so why not wait back until it's safe as prescribed in the GA driver's license manual? Lack of courtesy is the only answer. So - pray for patience, and courtesy, and common sense to begin to be applied to these situations.

I have been asked to post this for Mark's sister, Holly:

This is Mark's sister, Holly. I have received such an abundance of sympathetic words it's almost overwhelming! Thank you!

To meet Mark was to make a friend for life! I have had several of his friends contact me via Facebook (Holly Jidov Cheyne) and calling to share memories & funny stories about Mark. I've enjoyed hearing each and every one! I would love for those who had the privilege of having Mark touch their lives, whether it was for 1 day or a number of years, to write down some of their memories of him and send them to me. I know my family would appreciate hearing how he touched your lives!

Also, there will be memorial held in Mark’s honor in lieu of a funeral. More information will be provided as plans are confirmed.

The person that was killed was "my brother". He has been my brother for 49 years. Doesn't matter if the driver was a christian or not. The 'least' lesson that should be learned from this is to PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL! I don't know the particulars of my brother's death but will learn them when the investagation is completed.

When the wheels of your car are in motion and you are driving - NO texting and NO reaching for something if you have to take your eyes off the road for even a second!
You may regret that split second for the rest of your life.
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Now the BEAUTIFUL thing about this is that Mark is RIGHT NOW with God. That is not something to say just to help the survivors feel better as many people do. Have you heard this one, "He's in a better place now". Again, quite often it's just something to say to help the surviving family and friends.

Where are "you" going when "you" die? Have you really thought about it?
Ya see, Mark knew he was a sinner (every person since Adam was walking around is a sinner (Rom. 5:12). Mark knew there was NOTHING he could do within himself to make it to heaven (another myth some people hold onto.) In fact the Bible even says all the 'good' things people try to do to impress God are as "filthy rags" to God.
NOBODY can work their way to heaven. If that WERE possible why did Christ die on the cross? (<< food for thought).
God open Mark's eyes to his sins, Mark repented God saved him and sealed him for eternity. Praise God for his mercy.
He who has ears to hear will hear...... those who don't ....won't.

See you soon Mark! LOVE YOU MAN!

To the Jidov family, our sincere condolences. By the memories shared, Mark's death must have been a great loss, but how heartened I'm sure he would be to know how much easier his tremendous faith has made it for his family left behind. Please allow us to share memorial arrangements when they are available. And to the family of the teen, our condolences too. This is a great burden for a young driver to carry.

God knows and sees all things---He forgives the worst things possible----He is there waiting for us to ask.--JUST ASK-- My prayers and heart goes out to both families. I am related to the driver of the truck -- this was a awful accident. It's wonderful to know both families were close to God--I know God will forgive and bless them-- I just hope the families can cope and forgive each other. Please don"t let this ruin and destroy more lives. GOD please bless all that was touched by this horrible tragedy.

First allow me to give my condolances to the family. I know the young driver and his family, if you would have met this young man before this accident you would be saying the same thing about him as you are saying about the cyclist, a good young man who cares about people. This is the way he was raised by his parents, So now we have to good men who have met in a horrible way , one has left this earth and the other is here to relive at terrible day. I have never witness this young man disrespect anyone or hurt someone. Neither one of them woke up that day thinking this would happen. I will name this gentlemen , Tom is wrong about this young man and shouldnt put him in a group. My thoughts and prayers go out the both families. As a retired Walton County Firefighter I have seen to many times where very bad things happen to good people. I would say to your readers , don't play the blame game allow public safety to do their job and don't second quess them. They are excellent at what they do. To the fire and police who showed excellent professionism that night . Y'all still make me proud to say I have worked with you. Think about this , tag numbers for all cyclists.

I knew Mark from the church that we all went to. He was a real nice guy and will be missed dearly. I would like to say to the families that I am very sorry for your lost, but I know God's hand is still able to hold you all up. God bless each and everyone of you. I feel that Mark is in a better place now, he is having a real good time with the Lord.

For friends near Michigan:
In memory of
Mark Jonathan Jidov

A Celebration of Life service has been planned:
Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Maranatha Baptist Church
5790 Flemings Lake Road
Clarkston, Michigan 48348

Please feel free to jot down or share any memories about Mark.

Light refreshments to follow.

Direct any question to Holly (Jidov) Cheyne
tcheyne4@gmail.com
248-860-0445

Memorial Service for Mark Jidov
Dec 4th at 2:30pm
Victory Baptist Church
88 Brand Rd SE
Loganville, Ga. 30052

Join us to celebrate Mark's home going by sharing of how Mark has touched your lives. Refreshments and fellowship to follow.

If you think you will be attending, please e-mail leeseedaun@yahoo.com

Thanks for putting this here too Holly. I have it set to feature this afternoon.

Just a reminder...
Memorial Service for Mark Jidov
Dec 4th at 2:00pm
Victory Baptist Church
88 Brand Rd SE
Loganville, Ga. 30052

Join us to celebrate Mark's home going by sharing of how Mark has touched your lives. Refreshments and fellowship to follow.

If you think you will be attending, please e-mail leeseedaun@yahoo.com.

I look forward to hearing stories about Mark's life in Georgia!!
Holly

Man I love my uncle! What an amazing guy. A year later and it still feels like just yesterday I got that call. How heart-wrenching to think of what the scene looked like. Awful... I love you, Mark Jidov. Such a compassionate, real, happy man. You will always hold a big spot in my heart. You will NEVER EVER be forgotten. I love you, Markie. Ride on. Xoxoxoxoxo