Ride of Silence is a go for tonight

A ride to honor, mourn, raise awareness, demonstrate safe riding, and show our strength

The Ride of Silence honors people injured or killed while riding bikes.

Ride of Silence Details

Wednesday, May 15th

6:15-6:45pm: Gather for the ride at the dinosaur (corner of Forbes and Schenley Dr) at the museum in Oakland.  Sign a waiver only to invoke liability insurance for the event (required by the national and local organizers).

6:45pm: Listen to stories from victims and their families about why this movement for safe streets is important.  (Thanks to Bike Pittsburgh for arranging this)

7pm: Ride of Silence begins. The route will be a slow and easy 10 miles winding through the East End of Pittsburgh, rolling by several c crash sites to honor the victims, as well as passing several mayoral candidate offices.

Between 8pm and 8:30pm the ride will conclude.

 

Start location:  Schenley Plaza in Oakland – at Dippy the Dinosaur

Route:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2484074

 

How We Ride in Pittsburgh

Double file, side by side, keeping to a single lane, and to the right of the yellow line where it exists.  Stop and wait at all red lights – we’re a big group and will undoubtedly be breaking up and regrouping as we go along.  If there is slower traffic in the lane, we’ll just wait for it. Please bring bikes in good repair, as there will be no official mechanical support or transportation. Children aged 12 and under must have helmets on.

This ride takes place on city streets, with potholes, surface hazards, motor vehicles and other cyclists riding in close proximity. Participants must use their own judgment and be responsible for their own safety.  If at any time, you feel that you can no longer participate safely, please pull off the route and wait until the rest of the ride has passed.

 

History and Expectations

•  On the third Wednesday of May around the world, bicyclists will take to the roads in a silent protest of the carnage taking place on the streets

•  Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas in 2003 after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road

•  The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its riders to ride at a slow pace and remain silent during the ride

•  The ride hopes to raise bicycling awareness during bike month to motorists, police, traffic engineers, insurance companies, and city officials. The ride is also a chance to honor and mourn, in funeral procession style, those who have already been killed and injured

• The ride requests black arm bands be worn, red only if you have had a bike/motor vehicle crash.  Helmets required; lights are mandatory for the ride home.  There are no fees charged anyone to participate.

 

Pittsburgh Ride of Silence Contact for 2013: Jim Logan jimlogan@verizon.net

Check for any updated information on this ride either at www.wpwbikeclub.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/328632897239935/

 

The Pittsburgh Ride of Silence is endorsed by endorsed by Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen, Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club, Allegheny Cycling Association, Flock of Cycles, Pittsburgh Masters Velo Club, and Bike Pittsburgh

The endorsers and organizer are bearing no responsibility (financial or otherwise) for the ride. By endorsing it, we are simply stating we believe in the stated goals. Ride at your own risk.

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Join the 2013 Ride of Silence – Wednesday, May 15th, 7 PM

Why:• to honor those cyclists injured or killed on public roadways

  • to raise awareness of cyclists on the road
  • to demonstrate responsible road sharing
  • to show that cyclists are not going away

What: The Pittsburgh arm of the worldwide Ride Of Silence™ bike rally. See http://rideofsilence.org

When: Wednesday, May 15,  7:00 PM. Gather at 6:45 PM (evening)

  • · Ride rain or shine – if it’s important, let’s do it.
  • · Check the WPW website (www.wpwbikeclub.org) for any last minute messages

Start location: Oakland – Schenley Plaza (next to Carnegie Library)

Ride details on the WPW calendar here.

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Bike Fresh Ride – June 2

WPW is participating in PASA’s Bike Fresh ride on Saturday June 2. Club members get a 20% discount on registration before May 12th when using code CLUB2013.

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Mark your calendar! Spring Rally 4/20

While it may not seem like Spring, we’re hopeful that the weather will be more springlike in just a few weeks as we hold our annual spring rally on April 20th at 7:30 am starting from Olympia Grove in North Park. There will be 20 and 50 mile rides, so grab your friends/neighbors/enemies/relatives/love interest/etc (yes people can fall into multiple categories ;-) ) and come on down!

Spring Rally Details

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Not a weekly rider near you? Then start one

With daylight savings time coming this weekend.  People are starting to post our weekly rides around the region.  Some will start in March, some in April.  Perhaps even some in May or June.  These weekly rides are the heart and soul of the club.

Back circa 2004, I complained to the club Ride Captain that there wasn’t a weekly ride near me.  I knew that to develop into a B rider (my goal at the time), I really needed the discipline of a weekly ride.  His answer was simple – start one.  Thus I started the Harmarville Hilly B ride.  I knew the group wouldn’t leave me behind because I was the ride leader.  And because my family life was active back then, I also started 7 AM rides weekend rides, because that is the ride time that suited my schedule.   The groups may not be big, but someone almost always shows up.   Posting gives you the discipline of showing up every week.  And if you can’t make it some weeks, it is no big deal.

Weekly ride leaders, please post your weekly rides now, whatever month they start.

Everyone else:  If there isn’t a weekly ride near you, consider starting one. It isn’t that hard.  We only have a club if people step up.

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Pittsburgh Cycling Expo – Sunday April 7th

Benefits the Pittsburgh Bicycling community. Cycling Expo: $5 Donation at the Door (vendor Area) See many Vendor Exibits from trail builders and cycling retailers.
For details, see http://www.pghcyclingexpo.com/

The Wheelmen will have a table/booth, coordinated by Lance Kennelty and/or Bryan Schmersal. Kevin Craig is leading a 9 AM ride, so support him.

Agenda:
8 am Vendor Setup (open 10-6)
9:00 Bike Ride on the Trail
10:00 Vendor Expo: Silent Auction and Raffles
2:00 Entertainment
3:00 Fashion Show
4:00 Presentations – Entertainment
4:45 Raffle and Auctions Winners Announced
5:00 Conclusion
6:00 Vendors door Closes
7:00 Exit

9:00 Bike Ride: The ride will begin promptly at 9:00 am. WPW Ride Leader: Kevin Craig 412-708-4918

10:00 am – Cycling Expo: $5 Donation at the Door (vendor Area) See many Vendor Exibits from trail builders and cycling retailers.

2:00 pm Entertainment:

Cash Bar

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Icycle Bicycle Video

And you thought there wouldn’t be anyone riding! Icycle Bicycle Video

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Allen’s Ride

Allen Kinkead has been leading a weekly no-drop ride regardless of the seasons all year long from Immel Bicycle Center,5477 William Flynn Highway, Gibsonia, PA
Allen says he leads most Sunday’s weather permitting. Call first to confirm the start time as it varies but the earliest is at 8:30am. You can reach Allen at: (724) 443-6340 ‎Thanks Allen for leading this WPW ride all these years!

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Solstice ride video

A video from the solstice rude has been posted here. Enjoy! Thanks to Bob Vano for putting the video together.

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Quarterly Club Business Meeting – Tuesday January 8 – Claddagh, Southside Works – Opt in Dinner at 6 PM, Meeting at 7 PM

We will hold our next Quarterly Club Business Meeting on Tuesday, January 8th at Claddagh at Southside works. Opt-in dinner at 6 PM, meeting at 7 PM.

Stay connected to the club:
1) All club members should subscribe to wpwbikeclub@googlegroups.com to stay informed of club communications.
2) All ride leaders, officers, and anyone interested in the operations of the club should also subscribe to wpw-ride-committee@googlegroups.com

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