Ride of Silence

[Chopper]

Break out the fixie, clunker, road bike or whatever and join this group to bring attention to all the cyclist who are killed and injured by cars every year. This is a slow paced group ride though the streets and bike trails of Irvine.
Don't foreget to wear your SHARE/STR/Trail Angel/Warriors etc jersey showing the support of your particular group of fellow cyclists.

This is a ride that you will not soon forget and neither will all the motorists who see this huge group on the road.

For details:
http://www.sellin.com/silence/

Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Time: 6-8pm (Ride at 6:30 pm)

Where: Irvine Civic Center
In IRVINE - Orange County - California

Route: Flat 9.7 mile loop around Irvine; on-street bike lanes and off street bike way:
Repeat of the 2006 & 2007 route run East on Alton with several regroups then return on the
San Diego Creek bikeway so we can fully regroup by the time we get back to the start.
(if the San Diego Creek bikeway is not usable between Sand Canyon & Jeffrey
the Irvine Police will escort our detour)
Route Map & Route Sheet pdf

[bighit8]

Im 95% I can make this ride..

[DISCO]

Looks like nobody mentioned that the bike trail is closed from sand canyon to Jeffery, But Barranca will be an easy detour.

[Pho'dUp]

Anyone know if the Ride is getting Police Escort again this year to stop the traffic lights to allow the bikers through? That was very cool last year so the long procession didn't get split up.

[back of the pack]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Anyone know if the Ride is getting Police Escort again this year to stop the traffic lights to allow the bikers through? That was very cool last year so the long procession didn't get split up.

From Bill Sellin's website
"Irvine Police Department has been asked to participate
and provide support in escorting again for this year's ride!"

[sdyeti]

There will also be a RoS in San Diego that night too...corner of India and Washington (FYI).

[S Works]

Temecula will have a 10 mile RoS from Old Town from 6-7 wear a black arm band, meet at 5:30. I think it will be at the park as you drive in to old town but it is not to big, and 80 or so people did it last year from what I was told.

[Hawkear]

I'll be at the one in Fullerton.
From the ROS web site:

The Ride of Silence this year is being organized North Orange County Bicycle Advocacy Coalition NOCBAC.org. We will meet at the Downtown Plaza in Fullerton. The same place we have met the last few years. It is locate on Wilshire between Harbor and Pomona next to the Museum (301 N. Pomona ave Fullerton CA 92832) People are encouraged to meet at 6:30 pm and we will leave at 7 pm. Bring front and rear lights. Wear a black arm band.

[Jordansrealm]

whats the pace like? im either on a mtn bike or cruiser?

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

whats the pace like? im either on a mtn bike or cruiser?

You could probably do it on your cruiser. But I'd bring the mountain bike just in case. I think the pace picked up a bit on the off street bike path. But this ride is not by any means any kind of training, or road ride.

I'm gonna ride my mt. bike probably. With such a large group there was a lot of slowing and short stopping to get through the intersections. So it's easier to trackstand on mtn. bike than a roadie for me.

Remember to bring your blinky lights though.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

whats the pace like? im either on a mtn bike or cruiser?

It's a slow pace, about 10 mph. I did it on a mtn bike last year. Come on out J and join us.

[bvader]

Stoopid question....Do I need a light? For all the riding I have done still don't own a decent light.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by bvader

Stoopid question....Do I need a light? For all the riding I have done still don't own a decent light.

Stephen, twilight ends at 8:15pm tomorrow. So you probably don't need a light. But I would use a red blinky if you have one. Ride is really about increasing drivers' awareness of bicyclists and encourage them to share the road with us. Our part is to be as visible as we can while on the road.

[KeepsWhatHappens]

bump...for a worthy cause.

[duke777]

Think I'll do the Fullerton one.

Who else is going to make the Fullerton Ride of Silence?

[mtnbikerfred]

Me, and possibly my girls & Vikki.

[Winger]

I'm completely on board with the goals of the ride and think it is a great cause. It takes a lot of effort to mobilize a group of riders that large.

However....the ride is a 10 mile police-escorted line of bikers occurring just after rush hour while drivers are still trying to make it home from work.

I'm honestly not making the connection. How exactly is this ride going to improve the relationship between bikers and drivers?

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Winger

I'm completely on board with the goals of the ride and think it is a great cause. It takes a lot of effort to mobilize a group of riders that large.

However....the ride is a 10 mile police-escorted line of bikers occurring just after rush hour while drivers are still trying to make it home from work.

I'm honestly not making the connection. How exactly is this ride going to improve the relationship between bikers and drivers?

Good points Winger. Here's my thoughts. I think the goal is mostly just awareness. To make drivers realize that bicyclists aren't just causing traffic. But we are part of traffic and they need to share the road with us. It's also to remind drivers bicyclists are killed every year by cars on the road.

So maybe they're pissed that they have to wait an extra turn at a light tonight for this procession of bikes. But maybe they'll remember that dam, all these bikers are out here to remember all the other cyclists that were killed by cars on the road. Maybe I'll be a little more careful when I'm driving and not drift into the bike lane. Or cut in front of a cyclists to make a right turn because I could end up killing their ass.

Not a perfect solution I agree. But at least it's something.

[ericfoltz]

Originally Posted by Winger

How exactly is this ride going to improve the relationship between bikers and drivers?

I don't think the intent is necessarily to improve relations, it is to raise awareness that cyclists have a legitimate right to the road and memorialize those who have been injured or killed.

I actually hope that a lot of the drivers just see that cycling is a viable alternative to driving.

Maybe they'll see all those people out there riding and think "Hey, they're all doing it, why don't I?".

[Winger]

I can see it in The Register.....

As families across the OC ate cold KFC after getting stuck in bike traffic, they pondered the meaning of life and realized they should become bikers.



But seriously, I hope they have incredibly good signage throughout the line of bikers because drivers aren't going to "get it" without being told. I didn't see any signage in the publicity photo on the web site.