I did the Ride of Silence in Rehoboth Beach (DE). We had about 30 riders. As usual, it is very somber. We rode 2 abreast, 8 miles through the stretch of main road here that has been the location of countless bike/car accidents, including several fatalaties every year. This stretch of road- 6 lanes, no shoulder, and lined with shopping centers, fast food, gas stations, offices and now condos is a nightmare to ride but there are no alternate routes so many are forced to traverse this area. Even with a police escort front and rear stopping traffic for us we had cars attempting to cut us off. Of two that I saw close up, both drivers were talking on cell phones, and a 3rd stopped just in time - he was eating a hamburger. As far as I'm concerned, this is this Ride of Silence HAS to be done but I would think very hard about negotiating this area any other time.

Tonight we rode with the threat of thunderstorms but we had only sprinkles at the end. Last year we had many more riders but that ride was held shortly after a particularly bad, and highly publicized, bicycle fatality where a young girl from Eastern Europe was hit and killed by an inattentive driver chatting on her cell phone. Participation was down I think because of the weeather and that fortunately there have not been any highly visible incidents in recent weeks. (Actually there have been several but a little farther away, and less publicized.)

Martha