Riding With Angels: A different sort of RR, The Ride Of Silence,

[genusmtbkr5]

Last night, I had the opportunity to ride in The Ride Of Silence. This was one of 272 confirmed rides to honor those who have been injured or killed. Lots of riders showed. I talk with some Trail Angels, some I knew and some I just met. Roadies and Mountain Bikers alike came out to raise awareness to motorist that we are there to share the road and have every right to be there. We gathered at the Irvine Civic Center. Staging time at 6:30pm. The host spoke to us to give names of those fallen. After a brief ride instruction, we had about 10-15 min. to say hello, introduce each other or just reflect. At 6:55, we got ready, became silent and all you could hear were the clicking of our shoes to our pedals. At 7:00 sharp we left The Irvine Civic Center and rode towards the San Diego Creek Path, then onto Alton Pkwy and connected to the Regional Bike Trail, onto Jeffery and back on San Diego Creek Path and back to The Civic Center. The pace was a steady 9-10 mph The ride ended at exactly 8pm. Distance: 9.8 miles, Ride length: 1 hr.



Pre Ride



Riders Gather


Pre-Ride Instructions



Riders Listen In


Angels Listen In


Debbie Listens In


Brief moments before the ride



A Moment of Silence


7PM - The Ride Starts



Alton Pkwy





The Only Stop



Dusk Arrives


Regional Bike Trail

[genusmtbkr5]

Remembering Friends



2 In Tow


8PM - Ride ends


Trail Angels



In Loving Memory of:



To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

[Pho'dUp]

Thanks Genusmtb'er for the RR and posting pics. I got there kinda late so I didn't chat much but I was the dude in the DirtRag jersey. Anyhow, very emotional words by Christy's husband and I still feel pretty bad for her family and all her friends. I didn't know her well, just chatted a few times on the trail but she seemed like a really cool lady.

It was very trippy riding in a large group and having it be dead silent. Props to Irvine Police Department for controlling traffic to let the riders through. Of course, till some jackhole cut the column to make his/her right turn.

Anyhow, good experience, I'm glad I went, hope it does some good going forward.

[Waldo]

Beautiful

[26'er Zen Master]

I was going to go. Wish I did great pics and great RR

[roadkillross]

police escorts? looked like a great ride.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by roadkillross

police escorts? looked like a great ride.

Yes, The Irvine police blocked off traffic so the ride group would not split up. At least 2 motorcycles, couple cruisers, flashing lights, horns. The only stop was at the Alton/Jeffery intersection.

[guero]

thanks for sharing gene. pretty touching and very cool to see so many riders out there to bring awareness to the unfortunate side of being so vulnerable out there on a bike and to remember those who were lost doing what they loved.

[genusmtbkr5]

Thanks Bret, got a little choked up when Christie's husband spoke. During the ride, the mood was very somber. Alot different than what I'm always used to when you ride mountain, you know, always aggressive, balls to the wall. This definitely is a ride I'll be doing again next year.

[Chopper]

I was there also with a couple of other SHARE guys. I was very impressed with the silent message we sent. The police escort was done in funeral style which added to the somber feel of the whole thing. I was also impressed with the fact that everyone around me was actually totally silent. I didn't hear one word spoken during the entire hour we were riding.
At one point some jackass screamed out the window of his car, something about biker pussies, and no one even looked in his direction.

I rode my fixie and it was so quiet you could hear my knees popping.

[Wrecker]

I heard that the Irvine PD did a great job with the escort, and that it was a very somber ride. Glad to see so many people made it out, I hope to get there next year.

Thanks for the report Gene

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

I heard that the Irvine PD did a great job with the escort, and that it was a very somber ride. Glad to see so many people made it out, I hope to get there next year.

Thanks for the report Gene

Your welcome Chelle, Ya the City did good in my book. The Irvine Police sped towards each intersection much like the furneral escorts do. The only light that we didn't go through was Jeffery. The Police didn't even let motorist make right turns. Thank you Chelle for puttng out that reminder or I would not have know about.

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by Chopper

I was there also with a couple of other SHARE guys. I was very impressed with the silent message we sent. The police escort was done in funeral style which added to the somber feel of the whole thing. I was also impressed with the fact that everyone around me was actually totally silent. I didn't hear one word spoken during the entire hour we were riding.
At one point some jackass screamed out the window of his car, something about biker pussies, and no one even looked in his direction.

I rode my fixie and it was so quiet you could hear my knees popping.

I wanted to go but I had a exit interview with my current job and today is my last day. I will be working some days in Huntington Beach (Robin) so I will bring my fixie with me so I can do some road rides after work.

[OMR]

Christy was a friend that is still missed. Your pictures allowed me to share this moment and very much appreciated.

Gregg

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by mtber3737

Christy was a friend that is still missed. Your pictures allowed me to share this moment and very much appreciated.

Gregg

You are welcome Gregg, it is a ride I'll remember for a long time.

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

I wanted to go but I had a exit interview with my current job and today is my last day. I will be working some days in Huntington Beach (Robin) so I will bring my fixie with me so I can do some road rides after work.

That sounds great Pat. At the moment I am also trasitioning between jobs and every afternoon during the week I am working for the IRLRT, BUT, come July 1st I will be rid of my old job and free to ride in the afternoons.
BTW - I am seeing more and more fixies in the HB area. It's like a change is taking place.

[genusmtbkr5]

I finally managed to get this slide to work. To check it out, go to my latest post. The slide was updated there. Thanks

[Pho'dUp]

A few more photos from oc register article.

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