Charlottesville's Ride of Silence

Tonight was Charlottesville's Ride of Silence.  About 60 locals gathered at Charlottesville High School before embarking on a ride to downtown and back.  Unlike the professional Tour of Italy riders, we had no crashes!  Almost all of the cycling clubs and advocacy organizations were represented.  Three police officers escorted us through the intersections on their motorcycles.  We rode for about 45 minutes with no talking.   Some of the sounds I noticed made me realize how imperfect our bikes, as well as ourselves are:  grinding gears, floppy fenders, clunky chains.  Many in our group have been hit by motorists, and survived.  Five to Ten known Virginia cyclists were mentioned who had died in the past year by being struck by motorists.  Two Hundred Ninety-Five Rides of Silence happened across the world tonight.