The Ride of Silence

markpedal

To my fellow cyclists in South Africa,


Please consider holding a Ride(s) of Silence in your area. We face many of the same issues as you here in the States, while out riding on the road, an activity we love. The Ride of Silence helps to bring our concerns of safety to the general public, while honoring our fellow cyclists that can no longer ride with us.

The 2006 Ride of Silence will roll across the U.S. and the World on May 17th, 2006 at 7:00 PM (a few sites will adjust their time). This is NOT a Critical Mass Ride. There are no shirts or items for sale, there’s no fee or registration. Each ride is approximately 12 miles long, is ridden at a 12 MPH pace, and is Silent, though its message won’t be. It’s not just a club ride. It’s a ride for Moms, Dads, brothers & sisters, family & friends, beginning cyclists to the racers, anyone who wishes to honor a cyclist that has been killed or injured by a motorist while out riding and to let motorist know they MUST Share the Road with us. Participants are asked to wear a black arm band to honor a cyclist who’s been killed, and/or a red arm band to honor a cyclist that has been injured.

The History of the Ride

* In 2003 endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz is struck and killed by the mirror of a passing bus while cycling outside of Dallas Texas. His friend Coach Chris Phelan organizes a memorial ride in Dallas on May 18th, titled the Ride of Silence, a slow paced silent 12 mile ride to honor his friend. In just a 10 day period of pulling the Ride together, over 1,000 cyclists attend. Chris thinks he has closure.
* Word spreads about the Ride. A grassroots movement takes place…
* In 2004, Rides of Silences take place on May 18th in 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The Dallas Ride has 2,500 cyclists. It’s written up in Bicycling magazine.
* Chris actively promotes the Ride. A board of directors is in place. A copyright is applied for the Ride of Silence name.
* In 2005, Rides of Silences take place in over 100 U.S cities, 120+ worldwide, in 9 countries, across 4 continents. The Dallas ride again has 2,500 cyclists. The Dallas City Council issues a proclamation that May 18th 2005 is The Ride of Silence Day. The Dallas board appoints a representative in each of the states / areas.
* Rides of Silences will take place on May 17th 2006, worldwide, at 7:00 PM.

Please consider joining in this worldwide cycling event, and help make the motoring public aware that we are out there, and (in most cases) have the same rights/rules of the road as they do. If you do decide to hold Rides of Silences anywhere in So. Africa, please register them at the R of S website. We are slowly discovering that our 120 rides worldwide is more like 150, from a number of locations that didn't list their ride. (only so they can be recognized, and for cyclists doing searches for a Ride in their area).

If anyone would like additional information about the Ride of Silence, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
markpedal

Mark Hagar
Membership Chair, Rapid Wheelmen Bike Club, Grand Rapids Michigan USA
membership@rapidwheelmen.com
markpedal1@highstream.net
Ride of Silence, 2006 Grand Rapids Ride Coordinator
Ride of Silence, Michigan Director
http://www.rideofsilence.org

The Ride of Silence.......
(penned by a Canadian cyclist)

Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low, we ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight’s ride is to make others aware the road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side, may God be your partner on your final ride

-----Mugai