Published: May 13, 2008 09:36 am         

Ride of Silence’ dedicated to cyclist struck after 2007 event

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

The annual Ride of Silence in Mineral Wells is coming up in two weeks; this year’s event is dedicated to a Parker County employee who was struck by a vehicle days after the 2007 Ride of Silence.

Scheduled on May 21, event organizer Iris Stagner said, “This year, we are riding in honor of Melissa Rutledge, who was struck and severely injured by a vehicle while participating in a fully supported charity ride. Melissa has been coming over and riding with us for the Ride of Silence since we held the first ride in 2006. We never expected that Melissa would be struck just three days after riding with us here in Mineral Wells.”

The goal of the cycling event is to remember Rutledge and other cyclists who have been injured or lost their lives while riding on public streets. The goals of the event, Stagner explained, are to honor those who have been injured or killed, to raise awareness that cyclists are here and to ask that everyone share the road.

The Ride of Silence is a distance of 10 miles, ridden at a speed no greater than 12 mph in the hopes to get motorists aware of cyclists’ presence and share the road.

The annual event occurs across the continent and “rolls across the globe,” states the Ride of Silence Web site. Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas in 2003 after Larry Schwartz, an endurance cyclist, was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and killed. The ride is 10 miles at no more than 12 mph and completed in utter silence.

“The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is no brochure, no sponsors, no registration fees and no T-shirt,” the site reads. “The ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.”

Cyclists who would like to participate in the Mineral Wells event need to meet on May 21 at 7 p.m. at 214 S.W. 26th Avenue. For more information, contact Stagner at (940) 745-1034.