Jenny Ewing Memorial Ride Today - Atlanta

[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!).