Every Father's Day, Ryan Riethmuller would take his daughter Nevaeh and son Noah for a bike ride around Lake Ginninderra. There was always a bit of racing and a lot of laughter.
But on Sunday, there won't be the annual "daddy's ride with the kids".
At 9.20pm on Thursday, Mr Riethmuller died in hospital after succumbing to severe head injuries suffered in a crash on Gungahlin Drive on the morning of August 27.
The 39-year-old cyclist from Lawson was riding with four teammates when a car crashed into the group. Fellow rider Bridie Lee, 32, died at the scene, and a severely injured Mr Riethmuller was rushed to hospital.
Wife Jessie Riethmuller remembers the stage at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2006 as if it was yesterday.
"His masculine cowboy style and his dance moves. I was like, 'who is this guy?'" she told The Canberra Times.
The young lad from Toowoomba, Queensland, captivated 19-year-old Jessie.
"I got his name tattooed on my foot six months later. Ryan and I were meant to be," Mrs Riethmuller said.
The couple married soon after and had Nevaeh, now 13 and Noah, now 10. The champion line dancer went on to become a successful accountant, partnering with a firm in Tumut, NSW, and Dickson in Canberra.
"He didn't come from money. He worked his butt off and provided for us. He was a good dad, a good husband, and he even treated his clients like family," Mrs Riethmuller said.
"The kids are devastated."
An avid sports lover who became a Canberra Raiders fan after his teenage daughter fell in love with the game, Mr Riethmuller's first passion was cycling.
The dad and daughter didn't miss a single Raiders game this season.
An active member of the Canberra Bilbys Triathlon Club, he was out on the group's "bunch ride" on the morning of August 27 when the crash occurred on Gungahlin Drive, near Valley Avenue in Palmerston.
"His condition was critical and he went in for brain surgery. There was a lot of hope from everyone. Despite the amazing efforts of the doctors and ICU staff, he couldn't pull through," said Danny Summerell, Mr Riethmuller's brother-in-law.
Mr Summerell said he was deeply touched by the overwhelming support from friends, club members and colleagues who travelled from Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
"For all eight days, they took turns sitting at his bedside. That was the level of love for Ryan," he said.
Mr Riethmuller's condition worsened on Thursday evening, and his family confirmed he "passed away peacefully".
Mr Riethmuller's mother, Margy Pullem, said: "He was loved by everyone. Not one person out there could say a bad word about my boy. He was taken too soon."
Ryan Riethmuller was a registered organ donor and his family confirmed his wishes were carried out after his death.
He was to turn 40 on September 12.
The Bilbys described Mr Riethmuller as an "experienced cyclist who was conscious of those around him and always contributed to a supportive training environment".
"Friendly banter was a regular part of his runs and rides and he had a special way of making training more enjoyable for the people around him," the club said in a statement.
"He turned up week after week and became an important part of the club community. Ryan quietly made a difference simply by being there and the friendships he made through the Bilbys are a reflection of the person he was.
"This is a tragic reminder that every road user deserves to get home safely."
Mr Riethmuller's business, Panorama Advisory and Accounting, announced a temporary closure of its offices in a social media tribute to him.
"Our hearts are with Ryan's beautiful family, who have lost a much-loved husband and dad.
"We are absolutely heartbroken."
