Ride of Silence, Seattle 2007

[mimitabby]

Raleighdon and I volunteered to help run the ROS this year.
There were about 150 riders, but we had to leave early and get set
up holding an arrow at 5th and Union to let people know this was where
to turn. we tried to stay moving at 12 mph which wasn't easy going up and down hills. We found our place and left the small vanguard of other arrow holding volunteers. In our 30 odd minutes of waiting, we got lots of smiles from people driving down the street who stopped to read our sign.

Finally after a long wait, we could see the bicyclists coming. As they went by, a lot of them took our hands! like a high five or a tender knuckle to knuckle thing. My son and his GF participated, as well as many of our RCC members
We were astonished at how many of the riders we actually know, and they were also some of the strongest riders we knew. I didn't see any other TE gals though. Finally the rear end of the group went by and we joined them. Not a word was spoken. My DH, a rather talkative person, had to whistle from time to time when pantomime wasn't enough

We saw a lot of police cars, but the entire ride was composed of law abiding quiet bicyclists and no mishaps occurred.

[Geonz]

What did you do as a group at stop signs adn stuff? Go thorugh as a group or break up when things changed?

We had 38 and likewise, no mishaps... a very quiet group and I'm afraid I'm the only yahoo that broke the silence once or twice I think despite being the one giving the "speech" at the beginning. (When I'm nervous, I talk.)

We had a racer join us towards the end... he came up to me (I was at the end) and said "I can't help but noticing, this is an awufl lot of cyclists." (And I thought, "okay, I emailed the bike club and the advocacy groups - I forgot to say "forward to the racing group!" 'cause he was the second racer I'd seen) I said, "It's called the ride of silence," which of course made him say, "oh, I'm sorry!" and I added "it's in honor of cyclists who have been hit." (or somethign like that.) He said, "I don't want to make you keep talking but how far are you going? I'd like to join you" so I told him (we were almost done) and he rode with us a little further up in the group... somebody told me "I saw a guy in racing gear with tears in his eyes."

So I think it was worth it.

[mimitabby]

we ended up breaking up in about 6 segments (8?)

We'd have needed a parade permit and escort to stay together
like that.

[KnottedYet]

I wish I could've made it, but my work schedule left me stuck.

[bikerHen]

My daughter and I participated in the Ride of Silence here in Spokane. We had 30 some riders which doubled from last year. Hopefully next year it will double again! We did an eight to ten mile loop. It was a good ride other than the man riding behind me who had no idea of the meaning of single file. Every time I got out of line a little he would ride up next to me. The first time he did it I almost cut him off getting back in line. After that I was very glad to have my helmet mirror to keep an eye on him. bikerHen

[Jo-n-NY]

What a wonderful turn out you had. As you see in my other post, mine did not happen. It is too bad also because the group I did with last year was only about 15 people. I know by combining the clubs, this year it would have at least tripled.

Well at least those who would have been honored were in our thoughts.

~ JoAnn

[wannaduacentury]

We had our ros and had appx 50 people w/ police escort( our local club pres put i together-3rd yr). We stayed together well as a group and no cars broke in. We went appx 8-10 mi(w/ some good hills). We started at the mall and rode 4 miles to the square in town and did 2 loops there and rode back to the mall. When we went on our way back, cars actually stopped on the road and I was pleased to see that some people were paying attention. Some people on downtown stopped to look too.

The rain held off til the end(whew) and I did a new personal best b/c I usually rest at least once on a distance like that and I went the whole way and strained on a few hills w/ my hybrid, but I did the whole thing w/o stopping. Now I know I can go further w/ my riding.

There was also a freak accident w/ a dog w/ our club pres. and fellow member. I think they went for a ride b/f the event and a dog appeared , then dissapeared, then reappeared and was hit by a car,which hit the dog,which threw it in the air and hit the bike member and now he has a nasty bruise on his back(weird-he's ok but sore). Other than that I was pleased with how it all went and I'll do it again next yr.

[mimitabby]

um, how's the dog? that IS a freak accident!

[wannaduacentury]

um, how's the dog? that IS a freak accident!

Not sure, I'll find out next time I see them.

[jusdooit]

The ROS here in central Mississippi went very well. It was the first, with about 100 people. The ride was short (only about 3 or 4 miles), led by a local bike club & the Mayor of the city where the ride occured. We also had a police escort on bikes as well..........and intersections blocked by cruisers. We also had many motorists pull off to the side of the road as we passed.

[TrekJeni]

Posted in the other ROS thread. Had about 200 riders and we made the news. Very humbling.
Jeni