Biker Billy Memorial Article...

[Nanci]

I remember when that happened- for some reason it was on the Ultrarunning list immediately. Very sad. I like the memorial.

A few times, cave diving, I have come upon a memorial. Sometimes it's a permanent marker placed in a diver's favorite cave, and sometimes it's like one of those roadside memorials, in a place that a death has recently occured, with items strung on the cave line like teddy bears, whatever. It always makes you think...

Nanci

[Trek420]

Yes, it's very sad.

I want to participate in this:

www.rideofsilence.org

[Nanci]

That's a good idea. There's one in a city about 75 miles from me. Maybe my local club will do it, too.

Nanci

[CorsairMac]

I did the Ride of Silence last year and will do it again this year. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever done.

About 15-20 of us all told, coulda been 25. We rode for about an hour, never exceeding 12 mph and no one talked - and I mean no one. You can't even imagine how humbling, awesome, awe-inspiring it is to ride with a group of riders and all you hear are the gears, the pedals clipping in and out at stops, the mechanics of riding a bike.

one woman had taken a picture of a fallen rider and pinned it to her jersey like a ride number. had me in tears when I saw it. It's an amazing and an amazingly simple tribute to fallen comrades.

[markpedal]

Ok, 1st, yes I not 'officially' a part of teamestrogen.......

The Bike Billy memorial is wonderful idea. I 1st read of his passing from his daughter's original post at Bicycling online. I had replied there and reccomended that anyone that knew Billy either in real life or via these forums, (which can be very much like real life) to consider.........

I am the Michigan Director for the Ride of Silence, and organized Grand Rapids MI Ride in 2005, and will do so again for 2006. Chris Phelan, the Ride's founder, has asked me to help promote the 2006 Ride.

I encourage every cyclist to consider riding in a Ride of Silence, in 2006, not only to honor and remember those that can no longer ride with us, but also the importance of the Ride and what it's trying to accomplish on an international level. (Brisbane in Queensland Australia just came on board).

I'm proud to say that in Michigan we now have 17 confirmed locations for 2006 (up from 5 last year) and I'm hopeful this will reach 25. We are leading the nation.

If there is no Ride currently listed in your area, contact your local bike club or bike shop and see if they would be willing to host one. Or consider getting together with your cycling friends and start organizing a local Ride. I have an outline that anyone can use, that I emailed to all the new MI organizers to help them start organizing their Rides, based on my experience last year, and feedback from other sites across the country and the globe. It was endorsed by the League of Michigan Bicyclists Executive Director, Rich Moeller.

Additionally, the League of American Bicyclists Executive Director Andy Clarke, in an email to all affiliated LAB clubs, asked all clubs to join and support the Ride of Silence in 2006. And to show the LAB's support, he and LAB V.P. Preston Tyree will travel to Texas in May, to attend the Dallas Ride.

As CorsairMac noted, this is an amazing and very moving Ride, dozens, to hundreds to thousands of cyclists riding as one, in Silence, is a powerful experience.

Below is part of what I submitted to Chris and the Dallas board after last year's GR Ride, and to new MI organizers this year:

One of last year's most powerful images for me was of two longtime Rapid Wheelmen members who where on their tandem. Abe, the captain, had a picture of a friend on his back, who had been killed by a motorist a number of years earlier. Shortly before we arrived back at our start location, Rosalie in the stocker's seat, with a look of sadness, joy and acceptance, placed her hand on her friend's photo and looked up towards the Heavens......and stayed that way for what seem an eternity. It's an image I'll not forget and one that told me what Chris set out to accomplish was so very worth the effort.

Thank you for your time, and again, please consider holding or attending a Ride of Silence in your area. If anyone would like additional information about the Ride, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

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

[markpedal]

Penned by a Canadian cyclist

The Ride of Silence.......

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

[bikerchick68]

Mark... thanks for the link... I tried last year but the organizer never responded to my email... I just emailed this years organizer and am hopeful to participate...