[Dviratis] [Fwd: 2007 Ride of Silence]

Sat Mar 17 14:13:58 EET 2007

Sveiki!

Persiunciu informacija apie "tylos zygi" kurio prasme - priminti eisme 
suzaluotus bei zudytus dviratininkus.

-- 
Frank "Frankas" Wurft, M.A.

--- „del visko kalti žydai, masonai ir dviratininkai" ---

Hello Baltic Cycle,

My name is Mark Hagar and I am with the Ride of Silence, the ride that 
honors cyclists who’ve been injured or killed by motorists while riding, 
and who’s goal is to help educate motorists and the public that we as 
cyclists have the same rights and must follow the same rules, so please 
Share the Road with us. The 2007 Ride of Silence will take place 
globally on Wed. May 16th, at 7:00 PM. (rides in the southern hemisphere 
will take place on Sat. May 19th at 10 AM, for rider safety, and greater 
visibility to the public and media.) Please help support the Ride by 
promoting it to all of your affiliated clubs, coalitions and 
organizations. Currently there are 142 confirmed locations on our 
website for this years Ride, in 5 countries, with the list growing 
weekly. With your support, hopefully there will be Rides of Silence in 
the Baltic region, as we face the same issues on the road as you, dozens 
of Rides all over world, and continues to grow up until the Ride. I 
organized the 1st Ride in my city in 5 weeks.

_http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations-international.php
_
If you are unfamiliar with the Ride of Silence, below is a brief history;

* In 2003 endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz is struck and killed by the 
mirror of a passing bus while cycling outside of Dallas Texas. His good 
friend & Coach Chris Phelan organized a memorial ride in Dallas on May 
18th, titled the Ride of Silence, a slow paced silent 12 mile ride to 
honor/remember his friend. In just a 10 day period, via email and word 
of mouth, over 1,000 cyclists attend. Chris thought he had closure.

* Word spread about the Ride. Chris began to get enquiries from cyclists 
in other cities on holding a Ride of Silence. A grassroots movement 
takes place.

* In 2004, Rides of Silences take place on May 18th at 7:00 PM in 50 
cities in the U.S. and Canada. The Dallas Ride has 2,500 cyclists 
attending. It’s written up in Bicycling magazine.

* Chris actively promotes the Ride. A board of directors is in place. A 
copyright is applied for the Ride of Silence name.

* In 2005, Rides of Silences take place on Wed. May 18th at 7:00 PM in 
over 100 U.S cities, 150+ worldwide, in 9 countries, on 4 continents. 
The Dallas ride again has 2,500 cyclists. The Dallas City Council issues 
a proclamation that May 18th 2005 is The Ride of Silence Day.

* In 2006, Rides of Silences take place in over 200 U.S cities, 250+ 
worldwide on Wed. May 17th at 7:00 PM, in 8 countries, across 5 
continents. The Dallas ride has close to 3,000 cyclists. The Executive 
Director of the League of American Bicyclists Andy Clarke and board 
member Preston Tyree attend the Dallas ride.

This is NOT a Critical Mass Ride. There’s no shirts or items for sale, 
there’s no fee or registration. Each ride is approximately 10-12 miles 
long, is ridden at a 12 MPH pace, and is Silent. It’s not just a club 
ride. It’s a ride for Moms, Dads, brothers & sisters, family & friends, 
beginning cyclists to the racers, anyone who wishes to honor a fellow 
cyclist that has been killed or injured by a motorist while out riding 
and to let them know they MUST Share the Road with us. Participants are 
asked to wear a black arm band to honor a cyclist who’s been killed, 
and/or a red arm band to honor a cyclist that has been injured. The 
Ride’s date purposely coincides with National Bike Safety Month and 
Week. Many locations involve local law enforcement agencies.

If there are any closed course, loop races going on the night of the 
16th, please consider the following, which is what has been done in 
Grattan Michigan USA at the Wed. Night Racing Series the past 2 years. 
In support of the Ride, all racers have ridden one slow lap in silence, 
to honor their fellow cyclists. The comments as submitted as part of the 
Ride’s follow-up, by the timer at Grattan who organized this in 2005 & 
2006:
“*Grattan MI, Wed. Nite Race Series – 150 Riders
*May 17th, Approximately 150 racers lined up at Grattan Wed. Night 
Raceway Series, to do one lap in total silence. Every one was aware of 
the importance of this lap, some actually thanked me for arranging it. 
Safety Chair, Rapid Wheelmen. Jochen Ditterich”

To learn more about the R of S, please visit the website below. Thanks 
for any support you can provide and in helping to make the road safer 
for all cyclists, not only in Japan, but worldwide.

Sincerely,
Mark

Mark Hagar
Ride of Silence, Board Member
Ride of Silence, Mentor
Ride of Silence, Michigan USA Director
Ride of Silence, 2005-07 Grand Rapids MI Ride Organizer
_http://www.rideofsilence.org
Mark.Hagar at rideofsilence.org
_616 987-9198

“If constellations had been named in the 20th century, I suppose we 
would see bicycles.” Carl Sagan

*The Ride of Silence....... (penned by a Canadian cyclists)

Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low, we ride in silence, cautious 
and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight’s ride is to make others aware the road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side, may God be your partner on your 
final ride

-----Mugai
*