Recap/Results

Yesterday was the Ride Of Silence in Sioux City. There were 9 people who participated in the ride. One in Sioux City on business for a month from Ohio. Her club just lost a person by a careless motorist who hit the cyclist, left the scene & returned later because she thought she hit a sign. The driver has yet to be charged with anything.

There was also a person from a new bike club, the Ponca Peddlers as well. Ponca is about 24 miles from Sioux City. Their club is just getting started.

A Sioux City Journal photographer was there to take photo''s & do a little write up about the ride. It was in the Community section on the May 22 edition of the Journal. The Journal also did the write up based on the PSA that was sent last week. KPTH Fox 44 was there do shoot some video footage & do a little interview as well.

For those that wanted one there was red & black ribbon to hand out to wear as a bike or arm band. Black is in memory of those injured or killed by motorists & red is if they know or knew someone personally or if they themselves had been hit & injured or killed by a motorist.

The Ride Of Silence Poem was also read prior to the start:

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

- Mike Murgas

Because part of the ride was on the trail there was one caveat added to riding in silence. It was asked that whom ever was in the lead verbally & as quietly as possible let the slower trail traffic know there is a line if bikes behind, coming through. This did not affect the purpose or took away from what the ride is about.

The Sioux City Ride Of Silence will happen again next year.

Description

Family oriented

Distance - About 10 to 12 miles.

The Ride Of Silence is a ride to honor & remember cyclists who have been hit by a motorist & were injured or killed as a result. Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

Route

The route for Sioux City will start at the parking lot near the Sgt. Floyd Welcome Center & Museum. It will go along the trail to Riverside Park, then onto Riverside Blvd to Military Rd where it will turn left & head into North Sioux City. In North Sioux the route will turn left onto River Dr. & head south. At the intersection of River Dr & N. Merrill Ave it will turn right & go past the Gateway campus & buildings to Centennial Dr where the route will turn right. Then to Military Rd. turn right again & head back into Sioux City to Riverside Blvd & return the same way to the parking lot where the ride started.

Registration

None required.

Contact

John Vodochodsky

freemasoncyclist@msn.com

712-204-4193