Bicycles have always been a part of my life. Pretty much all my life that I can remember I have owned at least one bicycle and have always had one close by wherever I have lived.
Before my driving age I was the kid that always wanted to be somewhere (place) different all the time. I found out early- if I wanted to go somewhere- I better just get on my bicycle and go.
I found myself riding the bicycle to my grandparents house or to the church or to the downtown area of Henderson KY (we lived in Highlander Acres in Henderson KY during my growing up years). I rode Kimsey Lane many times when it was a gravel road.
During the past 10 years I have been bicycling for fun and fitness.
I have participated in many organized bicycle rides and helped organize bicycle riding groups. Me along with several others started the annual Pickin and Pedlin Bicycle ride in Henderson Kentucky that is a part of the Bluegrass festival.
One fear that I have every time I get on the bicycle is that of a untimely death with a bicycle vehicle collision. You always have to be careful.
I have been very fortunate to have some of the very best riding partners. For many years Dave Nelson rode with me and now I ride with Mr Z (Pat Zimmerman). They have been the very best riding partners anyone could ever have-each watching out for one another.
Over the past few years I have had one dear friend loose his life in a bicycle/vehicle death and two others that have had connections to Henderson Kentucky.
Sam Wolf was a dear friend and he lost his life on Sunday October 1, 2006. He was bicycling on the Great American Pumpkin Metric bicycle ride. I knew Sam quite well since he was a early morning exercising person at my gym Tri-State Athletic Club. He is pedaling away in heaven now- he really was a big spinner too!
Rachel Speight lost her life in a bicycle-vehicle collision in Henderson County Kentucky in June 2006. She was from Houston Texas but was attending Yale University and was on a bicycling trip with a Habitat group that was going through Henderson County Kentucky. I never knew Ramie (as her friends called her), but do have a passion for bicycles and bicycling like she did. God bless her soul. I felt for her family experiencing this untimely death in a city where they didn’t know anyone. May her soul rest in peace.
Darryl Benefiel was a bicyclist and a former member of the Evansville Bicycle Club -even serving as the club president during in 1999. He moved from the Henderson/Evansville Metro area to California in the past few years. According to the Corona Dell, a California online newspaper article he was killed when a car turning struck him on his bicycle on July 23, 2009. He has ties to Henderson Kentucky.
Today, Sunday, August 2, 2009 Evansville Bicycle Club members have organized a memorial ride for Darryl Benefield. I participated in this ride. We had 11 bicyclist show up and give support to a family greiving for the lose of their dear family member. What a honor it was to me to participate in such a ride event. We bicycled from Atkinson Park in Henderson KY to the funeral home. I never knew of Darryl but feel connected to him since he has family from Henderson Kentucky and he shared a love for bicycling just like I do.
If you are looking for a bicycle check out the Henderson Kentucky bicycle shop Brecks Bicycle Shop.
Hug your fellow bicyclist today. If you are on a bicycle be careful. If you are driving a vehicle– always be on the watch for a bicycles!
Some of my fondest memories growing up include hopping on my bike and riding up to 12th street and then down to Fairmont Cemetery.
This is a beautiful entry. Thank you so much for posting.
I've always loved bicycling too! So much so that when quest to become and maintain fitness (which was cut short much earlier than I would ever have desired) I began taking spinning classes at the local YMCA and loved every steep hill and stroke of the pedal.
Ultimately I began instructing these classes and my life was so enriched by the people I met from the bicycling community.
I remember each of these tragic untimely deaths you blogged about today.
Thank you for your tribute and your heart.