Today I participated in the National Ride of Silence which is described in the press release below. It was an eight mile, police escorted ride through the city of Greensboro - see the map below. No one spoke during the 8 mile ride. The extra 8 miles was my commute to and from the event. So yes, I rode 16 miles today even though I haven't ridden more than 6 or 7 since I got the bike out earlier this month - no worries, all went well. I must say that I am not a cyclist and have never ridden in a group like this - I imagine there were close to a 100 riders and that 20 or so of us were not "cyclists." It was cool watching the pros!  All their gear, expensive bikes, cute little bodies, shaved legs :) - their respect for each other and hand signals far beyond just right and left turns.  Very cool.  It was getting dark as I approached my driveway and some other cyclists rode by who had lights on their bikes.  They really do help.  My neighbor actually offered me his before I left, but I declined.  Oh BTW, the flyer for the event - which you can see here, specifies that helmets are mandatory!
This event was about safety and remembering people who have been injured or killed while bicycling. Similar rides took place on this same day and time around the world. You may have seen or will see this on your 10 or 11 o'clock news tonight. I know that we were photographed and filmed along our route.



(By the way, if you receive this blog in an email and the maps are not present, simply click on the very bottom of your email where it says Your Health Educator and you will come to the real blog post)
RIDE OF SILENCE PRESS INFORMATION
In May 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed. The ride was a solemn event, to remember Larry and all cyclists killed while riding their bikes. It was only suppose to be a one time event, but as word got out about the ride, many cyclists contacted Chris with the desire to participate in this event.
Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. The ride has several goals:
To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

Over 600 cyclists are killed each year while riding. Most of them occur in our cities, and suburbs. With this ride, we hope to educate motorists that cyclists have the legal right to the road and to watch out for us.
The Ride of Silence is similar to a funeral procession. The ride will be slow (max 12 Miles/ 19 KM per hour). There will be no talking, only silence, to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Black armbands are worn in memory of those who have been killed; red armbands are worn for those injured while riding.

[psss this morning I ran seven miles and fell down on the dirt trail (remember the one I found when I got lost on my bicycle!) at mile five  - but I jumped right up and kept going.  I say this because I have a feeling that my butt, thighs, knees and who knows what else, are likely to remind me of this day for most of tomorrow! - I am actually going to ice those knees right now, good night!]

What the heck - here is that map too!