UltraRob's Adventures

Last evening was the annual Ride of Silence. It's a ride honor and remember those that have been injured or killed while cycling on the roadways. I've taken part in the Ride of Silence 2 out of the last 3 years.

Last weekend I checked to find the date of the ride this year. I found out that it was this week. I also found that one wasn't being organized in Colorado Springs this year. David Peal offered to help organize a ride. We got busy getting the word out and making plans.

We had about a dozen riders show up at Old Town Bike Shop for the ride which was many fewer than for last year's Ride of Silence. I was happy with that since we didn't plan in advance.

After reading the Ride of Silence poem, we had a moment of silence for this killed or injured. We then did a loop around downtown before heading over to where EJ and Jayson were killed. We had another moment of silent at the ghost bikes before heading back to Old Town.

Although the risks of riding on the road don't stop me from riding, they are something I think about. Especially when I was training for RAAM, I was riding thousands of miles on the road. The deaths of Bob Breedlove and EJ and Jayson have impacted me the most.

KKTV 11 News covered the ride. You can view the video and report online.

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Labels: Colorado Springs, cycling, Ride of Silence, share the road

The 2009 Ride of Silence is this Wednesday, May 20th at 7 PM. It's a ride in honor of those killed or injured while riding a bike. I believe we need to raise awareness of cycling safety issues.

The ride is slow paced with a maximum speed of 12 mph so anyone can take part. You can also ride any kind of bike.

I've participated in the local Ride of Silence 2 out of the last 3 years. There are 260 rides in the US and more internationally. There isn't one listed for Colorado Springs this year but I'm checking to see if anyone is organizing one.

Update: David Peal is helping me organizing a Ride of Silence for Colorado Springs this year. Meet at Old Town Bike Shop at 6:45 PM. The route will include going to the ghost bikes where EJ and Jayson were hit last year.

Related Links: 2008 Ride of Silence report | 2006 Ride of Silence report

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Labels: cycling, Ride of Silence, share the road

Wednesday night I participated in the Ride of Silence to honor those killed or injured while riding their bikes. I barely made it there after the TOPS meeting on the White Acres/Bethany Baptist Church parcel. We had a group that was close to 40 riders. We rode slowly around the downtown area.

We had a few people waving and cheering us on. Unfortunately I think they just thought we were out for a ride. I think we need to have some kind of banner that tells what the ride is about. At one point an old hearse drove past. A couple of us thought that would make a good lead car with banners telling about the ride. We had a couple rude car drivers not wanting a large group of bikes on the road but even they weren't too bad.

Here's a couple more ride reports from around the country

• Sedalia, Missouri
• Seattle, Washington

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Labels: Colorado Springs, cycling, Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence is tonight to honor those that have been injured or killed while riding their bike. There are 288 rides in the US and internationally. It's likely there's a ride near you.

The Colorado Springs ride is meeting at Old Town Bike Shop, 426 South Tejon. Ride starts at 7 PM. I plan on being there.

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Labels: Colorado Springs, cycling, Ride of Silence, share the road

The 2008 Ride of Silence is next Wednesday, May 21st. It's a ride in honor of those killed or injured while riding a bike.

Although it seems there have been several tragic cycling accidents in the news the last few months, cycling isn't all that dangerous. It seems that per hour it may even be less dangerous than riding in a car. Still I believe we need to raise awareness of cycling safety issues.

I participated in the local Ride of Silence in 2006. I had planned to last year but my daughter ended up being in the hospital. There are 240 rides in the US and more internationally. Once again Charlotte Miller will be leading a local ride from Old Town Bike Shop. Hopefully I'll see some of you there.

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Labels: cycling, Ride of Silence, share the road

Update: Info on 2008 Ride of Silence

This is just a reminder that the Ride of Silence is this Wednesday night. This is a ride to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. There are 264 confirmed rides in the US and international locations.

You can read my Ride of Silence post from a couple weeks ago for more information. I did the Ride of Silence last year and would encourage you to go. It's ridden about 10 mph so even if you only occasionally ride a bike you can take part.

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Labels: cycling, Ride of Silence, share the road

Update: Info on 2008 Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways will take place this year on May 16th at 7 PM. I'd really encourage you to attend one if you can. There's plenty of dangers for cyclists out on the road. Currently there are over 200 confirmed ride locations.

I rode last year's local Ride of Silence from Old Town Bike Shop which was lead by Charlotte Miller. According to the Ride of Silence website, Charlotte will be again leading a ride from Old Town Bike Shop and Ann Brown will be leading another one from the Shops at Briargate. Actually that's not the right name for the 2nd Colorado Springs location. Apparently Shops at Briargate wasn't a sophisticated enough name so they've been renamed The Promenade Shops at Briargate.

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Labels: cycling, Ride of Silence, share the road

Last night I did the local Ride of Silence. There were a little over 30 people for it. I had actually hoped for more than that but this is the first year for Colorado Springs so maybe it will take time to grow. It was a bit hard to ride for an hour and keep the pace below 12 mph but it was good time to reflect about the cyclist killed and injured on the roads. One of Dr. Breedlove's daughters was there and so was Alison Dunlap.

I chatted a little with Dr. Breedlove's daughter which was interesting because the official story on his death in RAAM last year left me with a lot of questions. Without me asking she gave me more details. The family believes there is evidence that the official report isn't correct and that there is evidence that suggests he never crossed the center line as the driver claims. However, the State Patrol believes the 15 year old driver that was driving even though his learner's permit was revoked because of an earlier hit and run.

Update: Outside magazine did an article on Dr. Breedlove's death in the November 2006 issue. I have some of my thoughts on it plus a link to the article online.

Labels: Bob Breedlove, cycling, RAAM, Race Across America, Ride of Silence, share the road