Ride of Silence - An event to honor fallen cyclists

A week from today (on May 19th) there's going to be another Ride of Silence, which is an event to memorialize and remember cyclists who have been injured or killed while doing what they love. If you or a loved one have been touched in such a way, this is an event specifically for you:

Dedications and announcements: 6:30pm
Time: Wheels roll at 7pm

On the evening of Wednesday, May 19th, 2010, cyclists all over the world will ride in honor and in memory of fellow cyclists that have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. In Austin TX, we will start an eight-mile ride originating and ending on the Pfluger Bridge. This ride will last approximately one hour. You are riding with the rest of the world in this 8th annual memorial ride. (Information about Rides of Silence in other cities is available at www.rideofsilence.org)

If you choose to participate in the ride, please follow the following guidelines:

* Treat the pre-ride gathering and the ride with respect to what the intention of the ride is for - to honor/grieve/remember fallen cyclists.
* Put safety first - wear a helmet.
* Maintain silence during the ride, using only hand signals to relay ride support or caution.
* Ride no faster than 12 mph.
* Comply with local, state and federal laws of the public roadways keeping the following in mind:
o Obey all stop signs and traffic signals.
o Ride as far to the right of the lane as practicable.
o Ride a bike that has working brakes and the required lights and reflectors.
o Ride no more than two abreast or if that impedes traffic, ride single-file.

At the ride, during the dedication period, if there is a rider that you wish to be named or that you are riding in honor of, send the dedication to emilyglick18@gmail.com, or you may choose to speak for yourself. If you wish to speak, please arrive prior to 6:30pm and locate the organizers. Some riders will wear black armbands in memory of riders killed or a red armband for a cyclist that has been injured sharing the road, or pin pictures to their jerseys. All of these gestures promote awareness, and an opportunity for silent reflection.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN ORGANIZED, PROMOTED, MANAGED OR CONDUCTED EVENT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO RIDE, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK AND YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN SUPPORT.

Remember folks, this is a respectful memorial ride. I know that oftentimes drinking goes hand in hand with remembrance, but please consider the nature of the event. The crew meets on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge at 6:30pm for the dedications, and rolls out at 7pm for the ride of silence itself. Here's the route they'll follow, and I suggest you check it out as I don't think anyone will be shouting ques.

Guess I won't be bringing the stereo to this one, even though I wholeheartedly believe that the dead still like to dance. ;)