Michigan Ride of Silence (Austin TX)

Hi TE,
Below are the reports that have come in from approx. 2/3 of the Michigan Ride of Silence Organizers reporting in, some of which you may have ridden in. Unfortunately in MI, and quite a few locations through out the mid-west, severe weather wrecked havoc on our rides. Still many cyclist braved these conditions and came out in support of their fallen or injured freinds, and in hopes of making the road safer for all of us.

To view the reports that have been submitted in your location, go to: http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php .

The only non-Mich ride I'm including below is my son's write up of the Austin TX R of S, (the official R of S report for that location) which I'm so proud of him for attending, along with a number of his friends.

PLEASE keep this fresh for next year and Join us on May 16th, at 7:00 PM 2007 (northern hemisphere, all R of S in the southern hemisphere will be held Sat. the 19th, for rider safety and greater visibility to the public and media), and help make the road safer for all cyclists, worldwide.....and runners, joggers, walkers, 'bladers', moms & pops with strollers, etc.

Mark
Mark Hagar

Ride of Silence, Michigan Director
Ride of Silence, 2005-07 Grand Rapids Ride Organizer
http://www.rideofsilence.com

Adrian MI – 12 Riders
Adrian Michigan, small college town south west of, Ann Arbor near the Ohio border. Our first ROS ride, which was put together on short notice. Received advertising support from the LBS and our newspaper. We had 10 adults and two youth do the 11.2 mile ride. All had positive comments and we'll make it bigger and better next year. Appreciatively - Jim ****son

Ann Arbor, MI (Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society) – 40 - 50 Riders
(I might win the prize for being the first guy to organize two Rides of Silence: Ann Arbor and Hines Park (Metro-Detroit/Westland). Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ride both so that achievement is still out there for the grabbing.) Here's a summary:

That darn low pressure system just won't go away. A Severe Thunderstorm watch was in effect from 4pm to 8pm and light thunderstorms moved through the area around 5:30pm. The storm system was highly hyped, but disappeared off the radar leaving us cloudy skies and cool weather at the start of the ride. AABTS members were riding on behalf of their fallen friends: John Pierce was struck by a motorist in October and is thankfully back on the bike and on pace to ride 12,000 miles this year. Steve Lepper was injured when run off the road by a car evading the police and suffered broken ribs and a shoulder injury. Charlotte Marcotte was killed July 30th when a young man going the opposite direction reached for his sunglasses on the floor and veered across the road into Charlotte's path.

This is the first year of the RoS in Ann Arbor. Even with the threatening weather and the Huron River about to spill over onto the route, 36 people came out and rode. We rode up the steep hills of Ann Arbor, then coasted down to Huron River Drive, then made the winding, scenic trek back to downtown Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Police aided us in getting our long line back into town along the busy Main Street and back to Wheeler Park. One ride safely done, and done well. Thanks to Sgt. Hill and Officer Martell of the AAPD for supporting and encouraging us, Kathleen Donahoe, Barb Underwood, and Dave Patria for leading the ride, and Tom Gantert at the Ann Arbor News for covering the story. – Mark Erzen, AABTS

Greetings,

The 1st Ann Arbor, Michigan USA Ride of Silence went well. We had the bicycle cops to help us with auto traffic. Between 40 and 50 riders attended under rain-threatening skies.
Ride bikes, Phil Farber

<http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1147961488236260.xml?aanews?NEA&coll=2&thispage=2>

Battle Creek MI – 10 Riders
Mark,

The Battle Creek R.O.S. went quite well for our first try. Media coverage was great! Check out www.battlecreekenquirer.com and we are on the front page today. Also of local interest is our comprehensive non-motorized transportation plan for the city. Check it out at www.teamactive.com. Thank you for putting this together. We can't wait to do it again next year and much bigger! What an honor to have participated...
Cheers, Brian Clissold, Co-president - Battle Creek Bicycle Club (bc2)

Detroit MI – 120 Riders
The weather held out. Absolutely no rain. WE had about 120 for our first ride. It went off with no incident. We started a little late while waiting for Police that never showed, but they did support us along the route. Here is a picture of about 3/4 ‘s of the riders at the end of the route. We all look forward to next year.

Marc Broadnax

Grand Rapids – MI 100 Riders
Overcast skies and a brief shower as we were staging didn’t dampen spirits in Grand Rapids. Thankfully by the 7:00 PM start conditions had improved. We had just under a 100 riders for this year, my feeling that the risk of severe weather kept many cyclists from coming. (if you count the two kids that joined as we completed our route around John Ball Park, I’ll round it up to a 100) Riders coming in from Holland said they drove through strong rains. I was somewhat disappointed that our turnout wasn’t larger than last year’s.

I gave a brief speech on why we were riding and what we hoped to accomplish, and that it was a huge global event. Rev. Smith from the Fountain St Church said a prayer prior to the start. Our ride leaders were the family of Anna Sobie, an area cyclist who was struck and killed in Walker this past Sept. They were honored to be here tonight and appreciated being involved in the Ride and in leading it, giving them a chance to remember their wife, mother, sister and friend, in an activity she loved. Roman, her husband told me afterwards that if Anna were alive, this would have been a ride she would have loved to be involved in. They had pictures of Anna with them to remember her, and to let us know who she was.

We had one small incident when a young rider swerved into another and they both went down. No one was seriously hurt, but one rider needed to take the SAG. The Kentwood SAG vehicle had 5’ banners on it; RIDE OF SILENCE”. Many cyclists wore “RIDE OF SILENCE”, SHARE THE ROAD”, “REMEMBERING FALLEN CYCLISTS” or Sheets listing cyclists we were honoring. The sheets this year had much larger and bolder text, making them more visible to motorists. Most riders wore black or red arm bands that were provided. Many riders had funeral style flags mounted on their bikes with a R of S flag attached.

Now for the many thanks that are needed. Thanks to Lt Dean of the GR Police for providing a Police patrol car to lead us. Thanks to Rev. Dr. David Smith of the Fountain St. Church for saying the prayer. Thanks to Ada Bike and Grandville - Kentwood Schwinn for providing vehicles to support us. Thanks to Alger Cycle for donating 100 flag sticks that R of S funeral flags were attached to. Thanks to WOOD and WZZM TV who came out and ran stories on the Ride on the 11:00 PM news, helping to let the public know why we hold the this. Thanks to Howard Meyerson of the GR Press who ran an article on the Ride a few weeks ago. Thanks to Rapid Wheelmen Geri M. and Judy D. for greeting riders, handing out materials and getting releases signed. A big thanks to RW Mike B. for getting Alger to donate the flag sticks and his time printing the Ride funeral flags and attaching them. Thanks again to RW Mike B. and Steve J. for helping riders mount the flags to their bikes. Thanks once again to RW Mike B., Jeff F., Joel B. and Victor M. for dashing from intersection to intersection, acting as Ride Marshals, allowing us to stay together. Thanks to RW Karen D. for being our unofficial photographer. Thanks to Jim DeGracia of Jade who again mounted a regulation FDOT approved SHARE the ROAD sign on his bike and was at the end of the Ride, reminding all motorists they MUST Share the Road with us. Thanks to the West MI area cyclists who risked potentially severe weather to honor and remember their friends and to help make the road safer for all of us. Thanks to my wife Cheryl, for allowing me to spend hours on an event she knows is important to me.

And for the last thanks, to the Sobie family for inspiring us in being there, to Judith Jolly, Larry Schwartz’s fiancée, who’s worked so diligently in getting so many new locations worldwide this year, and lastly to Chris Phelan, the Ride’s founder and Larry’s friend, who continues to encourage us all, and reminds us of why we sadly hold the Ride. As Mike B. noted last year, hopefully there will come a time when Rides of Silence are no longer needed. Mark Hagar

WZZM TV GR: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/grm...?storyid=54632 .

Grattan MI, Wed. Nite Race Series – 150 Riders
May 17th, Approximately 150 racers lined up at Grattan Wed. Night Raceway Series, to do one lap in total silence. Every one was aware of the importance of this lap, some actually thanked me for arranging it. Jochen Ditterich

Hines Park, Westland MI (SE Michigan Coalition of Bike Clubs) – 65 Riders
The Hines Park ride was the first Metro Detroit Ride last year and drew about 250 riders along the scenic Hines Drive. Our organizer, Jeff Osowski has a new child and couldn't lead the effort this year, so I stepped in, along with the other bike clubs and got us going. Then I had to deal with the issue of which RoS to actually ride on, the one where my club rides, or the one in my hometown? A lot of our club members stepped forward in Ann Arbor, making the decision a little easier for me. Besides, I was actually riding with thousands of riders in 250+ locations worldwide, so the actual location of where I went wasn't important.

Thanks to "Smooth" Tom Sleeker at WVMV for having his station guys out there to welcome riders with some smooth Jazz and give us the speakers we needed to communicate with the large crowd. Unfortunately, the weather hadn't been cooperating all week, making the crowds quite a bit thinner. A week of rain flooded the Rouge River, including major sections of our route along Hines Drive. The thunderstorms missed us to the north, but went through just as folks were making their go or no go decisions on whether to ride. Many folks ride into the RoS, and were cut off by the advancing waters. Even so, 65 brave people made it out to the ride.

The route? Well, we had to improvise. The route eastward was unavailable, so we turned west. The Wayne County Reserve Officers help us at the major intersections. Dave Duffield of the League of Michigan Bicyclists led the way with a Bike Trailer with Ride of Silence Signs on the sides and back. We had the lights going with the low light and cloudy weather.

I want to thank John Waterman and John Aquinas of the Programs to Educate All Cyclists (www.bikeprogram.org <http://www.bikeprogram.org> ) for helping us with our route improvisation and getting the Wayne County Reserve Officers involved, Tom Sleeker for bringing the radio station, my students at East Middle School in Plymouth for making the armbands, and of course, the Downriver Cycling Club, Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society, Cycling Saddlemen, Wolverine Sports Club, and the League of Michigan Bicyclists for coming together and making sure that this ride returned this year. -Mark Erzen President - Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society

Houghton MI – 57 Riders
Mark,
Just wanted to send a wrap up from Houghton. We had 57 riders which was good for our first given everything going on last night in our community. The Houghton police were awesome and we had TV coverage. Both TV and newspaper ran the story today. Everyone was very glad they participated and I think we will grow in numbers with each year. Thanks for all you have done. Great job on motivating so many in Michigan to do this.
Thanks and be safe out there,
Terry

Jackson MI – 3 Riders
Mark,
We had only 3 riders show up and with the sever weather warning issued until 8:00 pm we thought it wise to cancel our ride. Look for next year.

Dave

Kalamazoo MI – 57 Riders
Hi Mark

We experienced much the same weather and I am sure it kept a lot of riders away. We rode with 57 people and I am sure it could have easily been 100 but the severe weather lurking mad even me uncertain that we would be able to get the ride in. Instructed my ride leaders where the 1/2 way point was and if at any point in time they could see or hear severe weather prior to the1/2 way point to turn tail and get back in, fortunately the weather held until we completed the 12.5 mile route and then the rain began.

I had one sag vehicle sagging the route with magnetic ride of awareness logos on the side, the sag was helpful as we had one rider not feeling well that was picked up another who had a tire problem and oh yes none other than myself bringing up the rear flatted out at exactly the1/2 way point. I thought about sagging in but was determined to finish the ride so I changed the flat and rode on.

We had coverage from WWMT 3 yesterday morning several times, as well as last night and this morning. I did a radio interview last Friday on WKZO and I was unsuccessful in getting the Kalamazoo Gazette out but I am not done with them yet.

We also had Life EMS volunteer to be at the ride so they moved along the route in case of any medical needs; we also had a pastor friend deliver a prayer before the ride and a photographer. We also had 2 riders Amy Mack and Kay Barker who rode with us and they were both injured very seriously in a car bike accident last spring that were the focus of the Ride of Awareness here last June.

I had some stencils made that were painted on the road showing the route just in case anybody could not follow the group and also made some road signs that helped people to find the ride location.

This just came in from one of the participants last night so I thought I would include it.

Hey Mark,

Thanks for all your hard work on the ride last night. The turnout was good and the weather held out for us. There didn't appear to be any traffic tangles and the community seemed welcoming, so I would consider year one a success. Lisa Saley

All in all a good start and I am sure we can do better next year.

Thanks for all you do to make Michigan the # 1 State in the Country, and have a great and safe ride season.

Mark Rose

Lansing MI – 17 Riders
Mark,
For the Lansing area (Haslett Middle School start) Ride of Silence this year there were 17 riders. The weather forecast locally for the time period 6 - 8 p.m. was for thunderstorms and hail. Thankfully that didn't come to pass. Under dark threatening clouds the Lansing group started their ride thru a quiet residential area to the semi-rural edge of the township (Meridian), then on to a 3/4 loop of Lake Lansing and back to the starting point. Local League of Michigan Bicyclist area Representative/Director Christina Riddle spoke briefly before the ride start about the experience of being a hit-and-run cycling victim and the long and painful recovery after hospitalization. I used the attachments you put up of web to make fully laminated signage on neon colored paper. The riders attached this to their bikes creatively to communicate who we were and why we were there. The riders all rode safely and thought positively of the experience. A reporter and still photographer from The State News (the MSU student newspaper) came, got their story, and put it on the front page of today's issue. It was accurate and very well done. Also, had local cable (township channel) reporter/video journalist come to the start site do interviews about the ride. Haven't had a chance to see/follow-up on that yet. At least one rider expressed an interest in doing another possible site in the Lansing area next year (MSU/East Lansing/ to Capital). Hope this gives you a picture of what took place in Mid-Michigan. Lenny

Lennon (Flint) – 11 Riders
Hi Mark,

We had a successful ride. The weather effected our ride in numbers only. I was keeping track of the radar and was quite sure that we would have a dry ride. The storm passed us by only a half hour or so. We rode on dry roads. The temp. was High 50's. The wind was light. Partly cloudy, overall a very comfortable night for a ride.

We had 11 riders, a very intimate group. We had a short memorial and prayer before the ride. We then left on our ride that came off without any incidents. We were few in number but very glad to part of the Ride Of Silence.

David Otto

Sault St. Marie – 16 Riders
Mark,

Good morning from the Sault. The weather held off and we had a wonderful ride. We had 16 riders, 15 bikes, 1 tandem recumbent trike. We left Pro Sports and headed out on our route and with the exception of an ambulance everything came off without a hitch. Just a side note, we may want to reconsider riding by or near a hospital. I would like to thank Dave at Pro Sports for the free ride t-shirts and use of his shop as well as my daughter Mikaila and her friend Carly for their help with the waivers and passing out the shirts.

Thanks for all of your help and we look forward to having a larger turnout next year.

Tony

St. Clair Shores MI – 1 Rider
Well, we started - or I did anyways - out on a 12 mile ride to Metro Beach, up Jefferson. Unfortunately before I got too far - about 4 miles - it became so windy and rainy with lightening near by, I turned around and returned to my car. I was riding our tandem with a praying stuffed bear strapped to the stoker's seat as the "missing rider" and I was going to plant (with permission) a Gerber daisy in memory of lost riders. With the heavy wind, I couldn't control the tandem. I am attaching a picture of the bike with the praying bear.

Bill Stimpson

Traverse City MI – 2 Riders
Hi Mark,

Nice job. Traverse City had two riders on a short, rainy, but pleasant ride. We at least kept the tradition going. (TC had 37 riders last year, in nice conditions)
Bob
Hi Mark, Our weather was not good here in TC, cold, rain/drizzle, more like a November evening. As it turned out I was unable to attend our RoS due to the rain (and because I had my youngest daughter with me...I'd planned on bring her but she's small and would not have done well on 8th Street with the potholes and the cars splashing water on her). As the 7:00 hour approached last night, several members called to let me know that the rain had nixed their plans to ride, so I'm sure that we had fewer cyclists than we would have, had the weather held out.
Bob Otwell did head over to the meeting place at 7:00 to see if anybody else showed up for the ride, and I'm awaiting word on how it all went. - Vita

Hi Dad,
On my way to the start of the ride, I was curious as to how many people would attend Austin's (and mine) first Ride of Silence; my guess was around 50. There ended up being over 300 riders in attendance by the local newspaper's headcount. The organizer of the event started by reading a few names of those who had recently passed. A man spoke briefly of his late wife, who was killed just under a month ago, and many in the crowd wept.

We had police protection through the first two traffic intersections, and then we took a beautiful 8 mile ride through the city. In quieter areas of town, all you could hear was the sound of our tires and the ratcheting of freewheels. When we got back downtown, we all collected in front of the state capitol before we made the last stretch down Congress Avenue. We had enough riders to span nearly the entire 11 blocks of Congress Ave downtown. In fact, my only disappointment with the ride is that I was unable to experience it from the outside!

Akin to the EMPTY BIKE in Houston, there was a man riding solo on a tandem, with a sign in back that read "THE EMPTY SEAT". There were a number of people wearing Tshirts that read "Please be kind to cyclists". There were even a handful of rollerbladers participating. Most surprising to me, though, was the representation in the crowd from my, and even younger, generation. There were a number of cyclists from the Univ. of Texas cycling club, as well as many of the city's urban/messenger
crowd. One of these was a fellow fixed-gear rider who attended the first RoS in Dallas, where over 1,000 people rode. He said he remembered Larry Schwartz from local bike shops (apparently he was well known at all of them) and the community's response was overwhelming. He was also very pleased with the attendance here in Austin.

The ride concluded where it began, at the pedestrian bridge over the Colorado River, and many hung around for a while and talked, signed the RoS banner and watched the sunset over the water. Needless to say, it was a very powerful experience. Thanks for getting me invloved, and I'd love to see other reports coming in fomr this year's Ride
Jon (Hagar)