Hailey resident Todd Johnston, 41, died from as-yet-unknown causes while mountain biking with friends near Moab, Utah, on Friday.
Johnston, owner of Four Seasons Spa & Pool, collapsed while riding the Gold Bar Rim trail, a section of jeep trail and slickrock popular with mountain bikers.
Johnston was riding with his friends and frequent riding partners Reed Melton and Marc Driver, both Wood River Valley residents. In an interview, Melton said the trio had driven down to Moab for three days of biking, with plans to return Sunday.
Melton said that at the base of a small climb on a jeep road, Johnston said, "I might have to walk this," a statement Melton took to be a characteristically self-deprecating remark from his friend, who Melton called a strong rider who liked to challenge himself.
According to Melton, at the top of the climb he and Driver waited for a few minutes before heading back down the trail, thinking that Johnston might have a flat tire.
Instead, they found Johnston collapsed on the ground and a group of motorcycle riders, two of whom were trained emergency response personnel, already on the scene performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. According to the Grand County Sheriff's Office, emergency crews responded to the call 40 minutes later, at 2:45 p.m., and used a defibrillator to try to revive him. Johnston was pronounced dead an hour later.
"Some people have asked if it was exhaustion, but there's nothing further from the truth," Melton said. "That day had been three friends out joking and laughing on a casual ride, going at a conversational pace."
Melton said that although they had been out for about three hours before Johnston collapsed, the ride had been broken up by a flat tire, a snack break and photo opportunities.
"Todd was one of the most fit people I know and had done serious races," Melton said.
Johnston's father, Chuck Johnston, agreed, saying his son was well known for his energetic personality.
"He didn't do anything halfway and always wanted to push himself," he said.
He said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, but that results will not be available for six to eight weeks.
"Todd was a person of boundless energy and energetic love," Chuck Johnston said. "He had incredible love for his family, friends and this community.
"It's important for everyone to know that he was never alone and was with people he cared about. He was doing something he loved and we're glad we had him for 41 years. His spirit is in this valley because his legacy is so great."
A memorial service will be held for Johnston at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley with a reception following from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Elkhorn Springs Restaurant.
Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com
