Jenny Ewing Memorial Ride Today - Atlanta

[cooper]

Here's a link to a local newscast of the Jenny Ewing Memorial Ride on the Silver Comet Trail this morning...

http://www.11alive.com/video/player.aspx?aid=58586&bw=

[Bikingmomof3]

Thank you for the link.

[Lise]

Thank you, Cooper, for posting that. It gave me chills to see all the men and women who came out for the ride. I was looking for TE Jenny Ewing shirts, didn't see any. I imagine Pedal Wench was there with friends--any other TE cyclists on the ride today? What a powerful show of the good in human nature. It cannot be defeated.

[Cindyloo]

I was there today and it was awesome. The ride was very well done and a real class act. I didn't notice any glitches or falls! First was the bike safety portion that the police/rangers gave. Then Jenny's sister said a prayer before the ride and we set off! We started at mile marker 4.2 on the trail and stopped at mile 14.2 for a break. There Jenny's son spoke about his mother and Jenny's sister spoke also. There were few dry eyes during that time. I wished I had worn my sunglasses at that point! Her son talked about how his mother loved the trail and all the little animals she loved to see and the people she met. He said that she "saw creation on a cannondale" (I think I got that right). There was a minute of silence and we set off again.

At mile 17 we stopped at the part of the trail where her body was found. Each person had been given a pink or purple carnation to take to the site. It was a sight to see, most of us with a carnation stuck in our helmets! Most of the cyclists laid their bikes down and walked up to the memorial site and then placed their flower down. There was much crying and everyone was so silent. Some folks stuck around and some set of on their journey either further down the path or back toward the starting point.

There was great comaraderie within the group and a somber but purposeful tone. It was a nice way to spend the morning. Props to the Cycleworks folks and Team Sorella for assisting with the ride. The police and sheriff also helped block the roads we had to cross. Some police and fire and rescue folks rode with us.

I wore my TE shirt and saw many others. I hope some of the other ladies sound off on the ride and other rides done in her honor. I took some photos at the ride. The first one is everyone getting ready in the parking lot, one of Jenny's son speaking, one of Jenny's sister speaking, the memorial, and me with my TE shirt on (taken after the ride, please excuse sweaty hair!).

[Lise]

Thank you, Cindyloo! It sounds like a wonderful tribute. The pics are great--I especially like the pup in the bugger!

[Bikingmomof3]

Great photos, thank you for sharing with those of us who could not be there.

[Pedal Wench]

I realized that this was my first time back on the trail since this happened. At one point, our lead-out ranger had to stop because an intersection wasn't being controlled, so a few of us rode on ahead to make sure all the upcoming intersections were being controlled, to let the officers who were controlling know we were approaching, and to let other trail-users know that we were coming up. For those few miles, I was just riding, like I used to. The sun was shining, the weather was cool, and I was flying. Then I looked down and saw the purple flower for the memorial, stuck in my brake cables. I realized that at least Jenny was doing what she loved, and for that moment, I shared that love.

[Lise]

Just before we reached the memorial site, I noticed a group of men standing by the side of the trail holding their bikes. I thought they had seen us coming and just got out of the way. Then I realized that they were holding their helmets over their hearts as we went by. Talk about a lump in the throat moment.

I can't view the video from the computer at work, but I'll watch it when I get home tonight. Thank you for telling us about the men at the side of the trail. It gives me chills. We forget, or rather, I'll say I forget sometimes that men also feel horrified, helpless, wrenched with sorrow when women are assaulted or killed. I'm grateful to you all, and to that group of men, for reminding me that we're all in this together.

IFor those few miles, I was just riding, like I used to. The sun was shining, the weather was cool, and I was flying. Then I looked down and saw the purple flower for the memorial, stuck in my brake cables. I realized that at least Jenny was doing what she loved, and for that moment, I shared that love.

What a wonderful observation, PW. At least Jenny was doing what she loved. Blessings to all, Lise

[Denise223]

Pedal Wench Thank you so much for posting that beautiful, moving video which left me with tears flowing down my face.....

The song that accompanied the video was "The Prayer", which was very fitting. The beginning of the song:

"I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe"

The Silver comet trail looked beautiful and safe -- it is so sad to know that such a violent attack could occur that ended Jenny's life .

At the very end of the video, you could see the sun peeking through the trees....... When I saw that, I really felt that it was Jenny's spirit --- I believe that she was there .

Originally posted by skibum Just before we reached the memorial site, I noticed a group of men standing by the side of the trail holding their bikes. I thought they had seen us coming and just got out of the way. Then I realized that they were holding their helmets over their hearts as we went by.

It really was a beautiful tribute. It shows that most people are kind & thoughtful. As Lise stated,

we're all in this together.

[Nanci]

I couldn't attend the ride, although I was nearby in Georgia. I had Jenny on my mind all day, though. I proudly wore her shirt to the expo for Six Gap. (And to a volunteer meeting for an upcoming Century, where a woman approached me to tell me her main reason for joining the club was to have someone to ride with, because she was afraid to ride alone.) At breakfast, at the Holiday Inn, there was a special report about Jenny and the ride on the morning news. I started crying, and couldn't stop. I felt so sad- for everything.

Nanci

[Jo-n-NY]

That video could not have said it better. My co-worker heard the music (although I had it as low as I could) and came over to ask what it was and explained the story.

Feelings of all of this cannot be put into words, but thank you Pedal Wrench and Cindyloo for sharing this with all of us.

~ JoAnn