Southern California - "Memorial Ride For LAPD Officer Randy Simmons

"Memorial Ride For LAPD Officer Randy Simmons"

http://www.geocities.com/alicestrong@sbcglobal.net/randysimmons1_1202792981.jpg
02.16.08

To All,
I am the Red headed LAPD Police Offcier that met you all at the CRANK M.O.B. ride, and it was indeed my pleasure! I hope your ride the other night went well, I chatted with a couple of you at the corner of Westwood and Santa Monica BLVD just before you headed east for the ride.
In light of recent, very sad circumstances, we are having a "Memorial Ride For Randy" and fundraiser for his family. We are asking that all the local clubs, Teams and recreational riders, hold off on thier Saturday rides on this Saturday ( Feb 16th) and join us for this Memorial ride. Even if you can only give your time for the ride that will be a very welcome statement for Randy and Jim's families and the people who's lives they've touched. The ride will start at the LAPD Police Academy 1880 N. Academy Dr. in Elysian Park (across from Dodger Stadium) at 0800 hours and travel to West Valley Station and then on to the location where Randy lost his life to hostile gunfire, where we will do a memorial ceremony and laying of a wreath by the members of the "Police Unity Tour, So. Calif. Chapter". We will then ride back to the academy, round trip will be about 50 miles. There will be plenty of parking up at the Academy. It will be a slow pace so we can keep everyone together and we are hoping to enlist LAPD motors for rolling support.
I am encouraging everyone who rides a bike to join us in remembering Randy, an incredible Police Officer, father and human being.
We are hoping or all former, present and future Police Unity Tour members to be there, as well as the different cycling communities of the Los Angeles area. Please remember that this is a ride to not only morn the tragic loss, but to also celebrate the great and unselfish life that Randy lead! Randy truly gave back to his community in far more ways than can be listed. He gave more of his own time(weekly) in helping people down on thier luck than most spend at a full time job. Ultimately Randy gave his life and that's why we will ride on saturday.
Jim Veenstra has a long road to recovery after being shot in the jaw during the incident. He is a true Warrior and there is NO doubt that he will recover fully! Please keep Randy & Jim's families in your prayers and ride safe. If you would like to read more then please check out www.lapdcyclingteam.com (http://www.lapdcyclingteam.com) .


Take care and be safe out there. Keep the rubber side down!


Officer Rusty Redican
LAPD West Los Angeles Division / Watch

just saw this on lafixed and came here to post it. i can't make it, but i hope a lot of people do.

ha someone else just posted it, too.

I may do this ride...if it's a pretty day. It sounds cool.

cross posting HEHEHEHE!

Tell the officers that we will be having a memorial ride in his honor down south...

only it will be called the "Butterfield Double".

and like Randy's ride, everyone is welcome to attend.

I wonder if a group ride with the LAPD will runt through stop signed intersections on quiet streets... or will they stop for every. single. stop. sign. no. matter. how. quiet. the. neighbor. hood. is.

I'd also like to see if the LAPD cycling team is as adept at cycling through traffic as the people I roll with :D

I wonder if a group ride with the LAPD will runt through stop signed intersections on quiet streets... or will they stop for every. single. stop. sign. no. matter. how. quiet. the. neighbor. hood. is.

I'd also like to see if the LAPD cycling team is as adept at cycling through traffic as the people I roll with :D

Motorcycle escort = no stopping ;)

Motorcycle escort = no stopping ;)



That's what I imagine...:D

The more I think about this ride, the better it sounds. I really want to do it.

That's what I imagine...:D

The more I think about this ride, the better it sounds. I really want to do it.

Don't be a thinker, be a doer......

Don't be a thinker, be a doer......





Well, unfortunately there are other things happening on the same day...I need more than one of me...

Do you ever feel like that?

I may just do the first hour or so of this one...:)

http://www.geocities.com/alicestrong@sbcglobal.net/thinker.jpg

I am interested in doing the ride but is there a route slip available? Thanks.

Doesn't look like there is a route slip...I'll poke around a little and see what I can find.

I imagine it will be a slow pace also...

Here is more:

The proposed route:
Exit the academy, down Stadium Way to Riverside.
Lt on Riverside and out through Griffith Park.
Rt. on Victory(crosses over the 5 before travel town)
Lt. on Riverside
Riverside all the way to Van Nuys Blvd.
Rt. on Van Nuys to the Federal Building Plaza at Van Nuys Sta.
15 min. break
Exit back on to Van Nuys Blvd.
Rt. to Victory Blvd.
Lt on Victory Blvd.
Victory Blvd. to Wilbur Ave.(Just passed Reseda Blvd.)
Rt. Turn on Wilbur Ave.to West Valey Station.
30 Mins. w/Ceremony.
Returning the same route. This is where it will get tricky, getting back up to the academy. My thought would be to go around on Riverside to Broadway and in from Solano. It won't be pretty no matter what. But I think that is the best way.

Thanks for all your thoughts and support Guys & Gals, it means alot!

Rusty

Thanks for posting the route info. I'll be there.

thanks for the posting Alice.
spread the words!

My dad is retired LAPD and I would *LOVE* to do this ride, but my current longest ride (so far) is 28 miles. At the comfortable relaxed pace they advertise, do you think it would be doable? LAPD is like a second family to me and my heart has been heavy for Randy and his comrad ever since this tragic incident occured.

EDIT: I also ride a slow bike and my average speed is 10+ mph. I just re-entered cycling last year and I'm working hard to build my strength.... I'd just hate to let that keep me out of this...

I think it would be doable.

Look at the long breaks, also...

I hope you're right, Alice. I'd sure love to do this.

I'm definately in on this one. That's three Bfer's so far...

Yen make sure you bring enough to eat and drink...:)

Hey Alice, yes we will. I can carry two bottles and we always take snacks even for short rides. Hey wait a minute... you mean bring enough for the 3 BFers? Hubby makes 4! :)

I'm just concerned because I ride a hybrid (but with skinny tires) and I don't want to hold up the pack... but they are asking all cyclists to join, even recreational riders, so........

I'm wondering, how slow is "slow"? It's a relative term that means different speeds to different riders. Our average speed on our hybrids is 10+mph. Of course we do go faster than that, but that is our average (we ride on hills as well as flats and in traffic). I do NOT want to hold up this group, nor do I want to tear up my knees. I don't doubt I can go the distance, but the pace can make a difference.

Some of the Officers themselves race roadbikes, others mountain...many of the cycling police are on hybrids...so...your guess is as good as mine. I'll keep poking around.

It will be an interesting ride, I'm sure.:)

Best thing to do is just show up and do the ride, regardless of your pace. There's no such thing as holding up the group on a ride of this nature. The ride will no doubt be strung out but this always happens with rides with riders of different levels. As little as 100 riders may show up, or 1,000+ may show up, who knows........and there will always be many others riding at a much leisurely pace than you so there's nothing to worry about. :)

I'll be watching how they take care of the stragglers...;):)

I'll be watching how they take care of the stragglers...;):)Like I said, best thing to do is show up for the ride. :)

Might show up if I manage to drag teh bf onto his bike. We're horribly slow too because I ride a crappy folder and he has an mtb he hasn't ridden in years, so if we show up we will be the stragglers.

My natural place in the universe of group riding is in the back, clucking over flats like a mother hen...;):)




Saturday is suppose to be beautiful and sunny!! :)

Nothing wrong with the straggling end of the ride. You get to meet a lot of people that way. :)

Nothing wrong with the straggling end of the ride. You get to meet a lot of people that way. :)



...yes, all the people with flats, mechanicals, inexperience and injuries...:)

...and the other mother/father hens/roosters...:p:)

Then perhaps I should do this ride and bring my tour bike loaded with extra water, mechanical & first aid supplies in my pannier.

Then perhaps I should do this ride and bring my tour bike loaded with extra water, mechanical & first aid supplies in my pannier.



Are you free to ride Saturday? The start is near your barrio...

I would expect this ride to have adequate back-up. They are professionals, after all.

I'm still waiting on a return email from Rusty...:)

Are you free to ride Saturday? The start is near your barrio...
Yes, and I live 2 minutes away from the academy.

Yes, and I live 2 minutes away from the academy.





Then it's a date...:)

Jeez, it's been 35 years since I've been out on a bicycle date.

Jeez, it's been 35 years since I've been out on a bicycle date.




Sorry...it's Valentines Day I got carried away...not a date/date...you know, a BF meet-up date...;):)

Sorry...it's Valentines Day I got carried away...not a date/date...you know, a BF meet-up date...;):)

Well, what kind of date did you think I was talking about? :p

Might show up if I manage to drag teh bf onto his bike. We're horribly slow too because I ride a crappy folder and he has an mtb he hasn't ridden in years, so if we show up we will be the stragglers.


I hope you can make it out. I don't mind going slow for others at all...

Jeez, it's been 35 years since I've been out on a bicycle date.



Ah...you really do just pose. I thought it was a joke...;):p:)

Ah...you really do just pose. I thought it was a joke...;):p:)No, I went out on a bike ride date with a girl I was going steady with in Fremont. I also wanted to show off my brand new Raleigh Competition.

No, I went out on a bike ride date with a girl I was going steady with in Fremont. I also wanted to show off my brand new Raleigh Competition.



Do you still have it? By the way, how many bikes do you have? I've always wondered...:)

I think I'll go - I'd like to meet you Alice, how will I know you?
I'm a heavy guy with a SFVBC jersey ...

Ah...great ! We're getting quite a little group here! How will you know me? Good question.

Do you know roadfix?

More about Officer Simmons (http://randalsimmons.com/)...he left behind a wife and two teenagers.

Do you know roadfix?

I don't think so.

Email from Brian Morrison:

Alice,

We will try our best to keep the group together. This is event has attracted interest beyond our imaginations. We will have both road and mtn bikes on the ride, more than likely. "I'm sure the pace will be mild. The idea is to arrive at the memorial at West Valley together as a group, whatever pace that might be. I would imagine a 10-15 mph pace. Traffic flow, traffic controls, and the overall size of the group will be the determining factors. It is not a race, and we do not intend to drop anyone. We are also looking for support vehicles, if you know anyone with a truck that might want to trail the ride.

If you are planning on riding, would you please advise me as to how many riders are in your party. I'd like to get a head count.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Sincerely,
Brian Morrison (Metropolitan Division)


LAPRAAC/LAPD Cycling Team
LAPRAAC/LAPD Triathlon Team
Email: lapdcycling@yahoo.com
Website: www.lapdcyclingteam.com (http://www.lapdcyclingteam.com/)

Alice, thank you for the posting the update. We're planning to definitely be there. You'll know me by my hot pink helmet (see avatar) and black bike with trekking bars. Hubby and I will be in our neon green jackets. I'm looking forward to meeting you and the others who are participating.

I swam in the pool at the L.A. Police Academy every summer during my childhood. My dad (age 88, retired since 1975) still goes to the academy for some occasions, meetings with some other guys I think. It's a special place to me, and just thinking about this ride -- and especially Randy and his family, and James -- tugs at my heart.

I'm not familiar with the layout of the Academy. Where is a good place to meet?

I'm not familiar with the layout of the Academy. Where is a good place to meet?Big parking lot across the street.

...I'm following this closely today. Thousands (some from other countries) attend the funeral...

Alice, I'm watching too.

From my memory.... at the top of the hill leading up to the academy, you can go straight to Dodgers Stadium, but you'd turn left just before that entrance to go on the road leading the academy. I recall a large parking lot in front of the entrance. It's been a few years since I was there -- we attended the graduation ceremony for the class of 1996, because they included a special ceremony for the class of '46 which did not get a ceremony due to being bussed off for security detail during studio strikes in Hollywood. My dad was a member of the class of '46.

Anyway... I'll Google this and see if I can find something that will help.

Try this link...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dodgers+stadium&sll=34.123742,-118.298721&sspn=0.138979,0.183334&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.07966,-118.239777&spn=0.008691,0.014377&z=16

Near the upper-left corner, look for the green oval field and a long rectangular brick-colored building. The parking is accessible in front from Academy Rd. Dodger Stadium parking is in the center to bottom.