Ride of Silence Report: May 20, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Photos
Posted Here
Organization: Gaston's fourth participation in this event was
organized by Gaston County Cyclist Doc Bradshaw. The ride was a slow-paced
procession of cyclists riding a double line.
Purpose: The ride was in tribute & in remembrance of those riders that have been killed in motor vehicle accidents, and to raise awareness to the importance of sharing the road.
2009 marked the seventh year of this international event's
existence, & the fourth year of Gaston County's participation.
Route & Ride Pace: 7.5 miles, which took approximately 43 minutes to
complete. Riders proceeded in double file.
Roads Traveled: Start: Gaston County
Courthouse, Marietta St. Gastonia, NC. Right onto Marietta, Left onto Long (changed
name to Ozark), Right onto New Hope, Left onto Court, Right at Emergency Entrance to
Hospital, Turned at circle, Right onto Court, Right onto Cox, Right onto Aberdeen, merged
onto Franklin, Right onto Marietta, Left at Gaston County Courthouse.
Support & City Approval: Thanks to the Gastonia
City Police & the Gaston County Sheriff's Dept. for
arranging the fantastic support for our event. Ride organizer Doc Bradshaw obtained a
parade permit beforehand, which was approved by the appropriate authorities.
Note from Organizer Doc Bradshaw:
Ride of Silence Report - submitted by club member Doc Bradshaw
Gastonia, NC: 50 Riders
This was the 4th Observance of the Ride of Silence organized by the Coasters Cycling Team
and the Gaston County Cyclists Club. We were
supported by the Gaston County Sheriff and the City of Gastonia Police Department, which
provided squad car and motorcycle escorts.
After a brief but moving Memorial Service to honor those who have been lost and/or
injured, we began from the Gaston County Courthouse.
We traveled east along Ozark/Long Avenue to Gaston Memorial Hospital. At the
hospital, we circled the Emergency Room driveway and returned
to the Courthouse via Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia's busiest street.
Our group included riders of all abilities. It was a beautiful evening for a ride and we
all are grateful that we were able to participate.
Cost: There was no fee, nor was the ride a
fund-raiser. Strictly speaking, the ride was not a protest. Our purpose was to honor
the fallen, and to encourage motorists and cyclists to share the road.
Participants: 50 riders participated in the procession, similar to 2008.
For more information about the national movement of this event, see www.rideofsilence.com .