Becky, Chris, Theresa, Pat, and men friends, Steve and Bill all showed up. We donned black arm bands and rode the short distance to the flag pole at the civic center. We joined about 120 other cyclists from different clubs in the area.
The organizer, Pete Van Nuys welcomed everyone and described the ride. We would be riding single and double file in complete silence for 9.4 miles. It was important that people use hand signals and take the time to reflect upon riders that aren't as fortunate as us. Then he "opened" up the mike to participants who may want to share.
Different people came to the Mike and describe why they are riding and perhaps who they are riding for. One woman was there with her husband and friends and riding to remember her brother who was killed in an cycling accident the previous year. Everyone in her group had a photo of her brother on the back of their shirt. Others shared more stories. One guy came to the Mike and said he rides because of his dad. His dad inspired him to ride and that the reason he was a professional cyclist today was because of his dad and his love of the sport. His dad was killed just in this past year while riding to a large event. He wished he could ride again with his dad, but felt like doing this ride tonight would be like riding with his dad.
Then those of us who had them turned on our tail lights and we slowly moved out of the gathering area toward the San Diego Creek River Trail. We headed East on Alton where two motorcycle cops joined us and leap frogged from traffic light to traffic light holding the cars so our long line of riders could continue through. Our speed was about 10 miles per hour and we didn't need to put our foot down for the full 9.4 miles, nor did we speak. Really, Theresa's husband even bet $20 that there was no way she could do the whole ride without speaking. It was kind of weird as you would look around at your riding companions and watching the astonished faces of the people we passed on the sidewalks and crosswalks and through the park area.
Some cars were annoyed at first and then in awe at the long line of riders stretching over one and 1/2 miles. We eventually joined the Barranca river trail back to our starting point. I think the thing that left an impression on me the most was all the different type of cyclists that met together to do this ride. There were race clubs, recreation clubs, women's groups, mountain bike clubs, guys on fixes and even the casual bike commuter or two. All different types already with something in common, coming together for purpose. It makes you realize how small the world already is. Plan to join us next year, it will be an event you will remember for a long time.
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