In Silent Memory

On May 21st, 30 riders from all different backgrounds gathered at Helen’s on Broadway for the Santa Monica installment of the Ride of Silence.

This ride was first held in Dallas in 2003, in memory of local cyclist Larry Schwartz (struck and killed by the mirror of a passing bus), and has grown into an annual memorial ride around the globe. With a slow, silent procession of riders throughout a slow, 10 mile route, this ride aims to honor all cyclists killed or injured and to raise awareness for motorists that bicycles have a legal right to share the road with other traffic.

Our route was simple and safe, mostly in bike lanes on Broadway and San Vicente. A few other riders joined the group for a few blocks in solidarity, and most drivers gave us lots of room since the group stayed together - there is definitely strength in numbers!

It was almost eerie to ride in complete silence, only pointing at obstacles without using any voice at all, and just hearing the sounds of wheels, pedals, and cleats clicking into place. It felt like a moving Zen meditation!

Pictures from the ride can be found here: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4995059_EzzUD#299484364_wim7c