At Scouting events kids look at me and say "Wow, you've really done a lot". My answer is always "Me, nahhh. You should meet Burt, he's done it all"...
I had a leader that had my deepest respect. He'd ridden across the nation a couple times with his wife, and ridden in many other places around the world. Rides with scary names like "Furnace Creek 508" were his thing. Yeah, 508 miles. Plus 35,000 feet of ascent. Solo, through Death Valley. Burt was the personalization for me of "Faster, further, higher". The stories about any of his rides make me feel like I'm still using training wheels.
This friend, this leader, this fearless hero of mine that was bigger than life was killed in the last year. On a Sunday we'd discussed a route we both liked , and the next day on a high-speed downhill section a Trash truck ended his life. Since then I have been quietly removing the outer chainrings from all my bikes, I don't need to fly downhill any more. As I sat among the hundreds of people at his funeral, it just didn't seem that important any more.
The Memorial Ride is not just about Burt, it's about all the cyclists that have died on the roads. This year it is on May 16 at 7pm. There are 170 locations nationwide, and a few around the world. ALL of the locations will be doing a 10 to 12 mile low speed ride, in silence and single file, to mark the passing of those who loved the sport as we do. There is no cost to the participants. It's a memorial and a quiet protest. This event will have media coverage all over the world in some degree, and it will help to remind everyone to share the road. There's twelve locations in California, five in Arizona and three in Nevada. You could set one up if your motivation is at that level.
I'll be at one. I'll be a little distracted in my memories, but I'll be there. You should do this, standing up for something like this always matters. I'd appreciate knowing if you are, please post a comment.
Links-
Irvine, http://www.sellin.com/silence/
Nationwide, http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-domestic.php
Home site, http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php
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2 comments:
I, too, knew Burt. The man was invincible, a true iron man. I did my first century ride with him and his wife. Of course, he blew me off on the first climb, but it's a memory I will always treasure. His death came as a shock to me, and a realization of how fragile life can be. I've had some close calls myself, as the moderator can testify, and I too have learned that speed isn't everything. I don't even have a computer on my bike anymore. It sits in my toolbox, deeply scarred, as a reminder of how I could have ended up. Be careful out there.
wow its a horrible thing to think that doiong what we love, could end our live in so many ways. It is a huge tragity to loose a friend in any way, and makes me live my life to its fullest everyday. I will share this message with the others and I know that myself and the others will be down for the ride.
gregg
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