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Retired endurance mountain bike pro Monique “Pua” Parmalee (née Mata) was struck and killed by a motorcyclist while riding her bicycle near her home in Yuquipa, California, on Wednesday, January 25. Eucapia Police Department posted an update on Wednesday Regarding a fatal collision between a bicyclist and a motorcyclist on Wildwood Canyon Road on the eastern edge of town. Parmali’s family later confirmed velo news He died in that collision.
“It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Monique “Pua” Parmali (née Mata), professional cyclist, seven-time marathon mountain bike national champion,” her family said in a statement.
velo news Law enforcement has requested additional details of the confrontation, and will update this story as details are released.
Parmali was 42 years old at the time of his death. She is survived by her husband Chris and two sons aged six and four.
A native of Oahu, Hawaii, Monique Parmali rose to prominence in the US mountain bike scene in the early 2000s as a top cross-country rider on the National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) circuit. A determined and focused racer, Parmali was known as both Monique Sawicki and Pua Mata. He excelled in cross-country races that stretched beyond the typical one-and-a-half-hour duration, and began winning ultra-endurance and marathon-length MTB events on the fledgling US circuit. Parmali also emerged as one of the top 24-hour solo MTB racers on the planet.
He won three US titles in 24-hour solo racing and seven national MTB marathon titles. In 2009 Parmali finished seventh at the UCI Marathon MTB World Championships. Parmali also won Costa Rica’s grueling La Ruta de los Conquistadores mountain bike race in 2012 and 2013, and finished second at the 2013 US Cross-Country Mountain Bike National Championships.
“She was a fierce and ferocious competitor,” said longtime friend Joy McCullough. velo news, “People talk about natural athletes—those millionaire athletes who have a great engine and focus—and that was Monique.”
McCullough said Parmalee had brought her intensity and competitive spirit to her new career, running an at-home daycare business.
In 2011 Parmalee joined the Show-Air-Specialized pro mountain bike team, managed by Ty Cady. In a phone call, KD said Parmali had two different personalities on and off the bike.
Cady said, “She was determined and stubborn when it came to racing – absolutely dedicated and so mentally tough.” “Off the bike she was laid back and quiet, but really kind and compassionate. She could flip a switch when it came to race mode.
Parmali transitioned from ultra-distance cycling to traditional cross-country racing in 2012 in hopes of qualifying for the US Olympic team. She and KD traveled the US mountain bike circuit together as she chased the overall points title for the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross-Country Tour—the premiere professional circuit for XC racing. Parmali finally won the series title, Kady remembers the time they spent on the bike as well as their victories on it.
“She loved to cook for the whole team,” Cuddy said. “Every day we went to soak our feet in the creek together after a ride. Those moments with him are what I will remember most.
Kadi said he learned of Parli’s death on Friday morning and was shocked and “devastated” by the news. He said the two saw each other intermittently at cycling events after he left the team to pursue other professional goals, and that Parmali remained a treasured friend.
“Call the people you’re thinking of and tell them you love them,” Cuddy said. “I’ve thought about calling her 100 times over the years and haven’t.”
a GoFundMe page Chris is set up to help Parmally and the boys during this extremely difficult time.
