The Ride of Silence

Contributed Auburn Villager Last year's Ride for Silence

Bicyclists from all over Lee County started out one evening last spring from the Lee County Court House parking lot and rode northbound through the streets of Opelika headed into the countryside.

Along the way a number of people conversing on sidewalks outside downtown restaurants watched the group of 60-plus cyclists coast by.

Some of the curious bystanders called out, "What is going on?" and "Where are you going?"

I watched Mike Hogan, one of the organizers riding with us, briefly turn his head in the direction of the inquiries. He didn't speak.

Instead of answers there were only the humming made by the passage of thin, high-pressure bike tires (100+PSI) turning over pavement. Another sound was a whoosh from the passing of more than a hundred spinning spoked wheels on bicycles carrying helmeted riders wearing colorful jerseys.

One woman bystander, not at all satisfied with our seemingly unresponsive group, shouted in frustration, "What is wrong with you people?"

The word is out. Auburn is rated by a national news magazine as one of the best places in America to live. The Auburn-Opelika area is considered a progressive, bicycle-friendly community by national organizations such as the American League of Bicyclists.

Cycling readily complements the legacy sports already strongly established in the local area such as football, tennis, swimming and golf. Cycling is transportation, exercise and recreation, as well as an economic engine for the local community.

Bicycles were on the roads in Lee County before automobiles became common. Cycling has been an activity popular in Lee County for more than a century.

A metal marker erected many years ago at the site of Wright's Mill by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Auburn Heritage Association says a bicycle club was formed in Auburn around the year 1900. The marker further states that "George Petrie and B.B. Ross were prominent members. A bicycle path was constructed from Auburn to Wright's Mill, now part of Chewacla State Park."

Nowadays bike lanes, paths and signage are already in place along many roads in the area, although bicycles are prohibited on city sidewalks and interstates.

Bicycles follow rules

Bicycles are considered vehicles subject to the rules of the road. If conditions permit, cyclists may ride two abreast. Automobile drivers can expect to encounter bicycles on non-interstate roads anywhere, anytime.

Last May, the first annual Alabama Magnificent Bicycle Adventure (AMBA), a week-long bicycle riding experience for visitors from across the U.S., took place at Chewacla State Park. There were many daily bicycle tours to places such as Columbus, Tuskegee, Tallassee, LaFayette and even all the way to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.

The visitors praised the AMBA organizers, who are local Auburn residents Peter and Terri Wolf, and local volunteers for putting on a great event.

The AMBA participants talked of how beautiful the area is. Auburn is now a destination for tourists seeking bicycle adventure vacations in the safe and courteous environment of our community.

I have been impressed by how courteous many area drivers are. In my experience most local drivers who encounter cyclists go out of their way to accommodate the riders.

A group of cyclists riding in-line are called a "peloton." It is easier and safer for cyclists to ride in a peloton, where there is less wind resistance and less energy required than riding solo.

One of the biggest mistakes made by drivers in general is to pass too close. It is recommended—and the law in many states requires—that a driver allow cyclists at least three feet sideways clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle(s) when passing.

A driver might have to wait a few moments until road conditions and oncoming traffic will permit passing. Please don't attempt to pass a group of cyclists on a narrow road if you are driving up a hill and can't scan the oncoming lane for motor vehicle traffic. Just hang back and chill back for a moment.

Honking the horn is probably not necessary. Many cyclists who notice a car waiting behind them will help drivers with an arm wave to signal when it appears safe to pass.

The greatest danger

You might think that the biggest threat to a cyclist is a semi-truck or perhaps a pick-up towing a trailer approaching from behind. Nope. One of my worst experiences was with a bus brightly painted yellow. That's right, a bus taking children to school.

One morning about six months ago, another cyclist (a university professor) and I were abruptly and rudely passed on Shelton Mill Road by a school bus. A driver in his yellow bus filled with kids very aggressively and abruptly muscled his way past, swerved in front of us without adequate clearance and then slammed on the brakes to stop for some waiting students.

My cycling buddy and I skidded to a stop as the law requires. The bus driver could have slowed behind us and needed only wait two or three additional seconds to allow us to continue down the road.

Please don't abruptly pass, pull out, exit or turn in front of cyclists without adequate distance. The bicycles we ride typically average speeds of 20-plus miles per hour. A trained cyclist can easily accelerate to speeds of over 30 miles per hour and higher on flat road surfaces and might exceed 40-plus miles per hour and faster while riding downhill.

As I write this article, an Opelika cyclist, Tyler "Ty" Garner, 39, is in the ICU of the Columbus Medical Center after he was struck from behind by a SUV while riding his bicycle on Shug Jordan Parkway early in the morning Aug. 8. Ty, a husband, father of three young sons, a physical therapist and a cyclist, sustained life-threatening injuries.

Right now the community of cyclists at large is struggling to comprehend how a driver apparently did not see a bicycle with a very bright rear strobe light illuminated and flashing, easily visible from at least a half mile away.

Cycling clubs and teams

There are a variety of cycling clubs and teams in this area. The Auburn Flyers is a competitive cycling club composed mostly of Auburn University students who seriously race in bicycle road races. We might some day qualify a local cyclist for the Tour de France (made famous for the last decade by an American named Lance Armstrong).

The East Alabama Cycling Club (EACC) led by Mike Hogan and Angela Lakwete organizes local training opportunities, rides and charity cycling events. The Johnny Ray Century Ride, an EACC charity event to raise money for Parkinson's Disease, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26. For more on EACC and the Johnny Ray Century Ride, see http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/EACycling.

The Saturday morning Bike and Breakfast (B&B) group started by Bill Felkey meets at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday (8 a.m. in winter) at Auburn High School for a ride followed by breakfast at a local café or coffee shop. The B&B is the place to start for anyone new to cycling. For more B&B info see http://aobike.shutterfly.com.

Check with local cycling stores such as The Bike Shop or Golden's Bicycle Shop, both in Auburn, for more cycling group info or check out http://www.auburnalabama.org/cycle/weeklyrides.asp.

The city of Auburn has a dedicated cycling specialist who educates local cyclists and organizations about safety. Contact the City of Auburn if you or your organization has an interest in learning about cycling safety.

The next cyclist you encounter on the roadways in Lee County may be an out-of-town visitor who is paying for food and lodging and as a result pays taxes in our community. Cyclists you encounter are probably someone's father, mother, son or daughter. Drivers, please don't maim or kill your neighborhood cyclist(s) because of a distraction, impatience or worse while driving your car, truck, or bus.

The Ride of Silence

Are you ready now for the answer to the lady's question about why the cyclists did not talk on that bike ride through Opelika last May?

We were participating in the national "Ride of Silence." The only requirements were to ride a bicycle, wear a helmet and take a vow of silence for the duration of the ride. The annual "Ride of Silence" is held in various cycling communities across the United States commemorating bicyclists who have been killed or injured by motor vehicle drivers.

We ride in their honor and memory without saying a word. There really are no words that can adequately express what their loss means to all of us. After all, what really needs to be said? We know who loses in any contest or accident involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle. We all lose.

Auburn resident William Wolfe is a writer and cyclist. He can be reached at williamwolfe98@yahoo.com.