Hi everyone. If you're in Vermont this weekend, there's a memorial ride for Richard this Sunday at 11am.
https://www.facebook.com/events/477113802454652/
The Ride for Richard
Where: Meet at CVU High School Parking Lot. Link to ride route and parking: http://thegmbc.com/Route%20and%20Parking.pdf
When: 11 a.m., Sunday, May 3
Area cyclists and friends,
Tragically, two lives were lost on the morning of April 26. There is resulting pervasive pain and sadness within the cycling community and also within the Hinesburg community and CVU teachers and students. Richard was a friend and was well respected and even loved by many. Cycling was Richard’s passion, both professionally and socially. He had so much more to offer to us and to me personally. I will miss him.
Whether or not you knew Richard, or whether or not you plan to ride with us, you are invited to come to this gathering. After our short ride, we will come together to share stories about Richard or others. This is a time of reflection for those affected by this tragedy, whether it be for the driver or for Richard or for Kelly Boe (a Vermont cyclist, who very recently died as a result of a car/bike collision), or for others.
While this accident is tragic, it is going to propel us to think of long-term strategies with an objective to make cycling safer for us through education and communications at many levels.
As a side note, advocacy groups and local businesses will be collaborating on strategies to promote roadway safety and shared responsibility. For additional information or to become part of the conversation, visitlocalmotion.org.
I hope to see you Sunday morning.
John Williams
GMBC VP
The ride: After some words about Richard, at about 11:20 we will begin our ride with police escort to the crash site and to Richard’s home (in a way, bringing Richard home). The pace will be slow, during which time, we will reflect on Richard and perhaps other loved ones during the ride. We will pass the location of the crash site where Richard and the driver, Joseph Marshall lost their lives. At the crash site, we may dismount, so that you will have a moment of peace, prayer, or communication before reversing direction. We then will ride to Richard’s home (in a way, finishing Richard’s ride) which is only a few hundred yards from the crash site. From there, we return to CVU. A route map will be provided.
Helmets are required to participate in the ride. Helmets may be removed briefly at the crash site as an offering of respect and tribute to lives lost.
Riders, Friends, Family
This is an invitation for area cyclists, CVU students and families, or others affected by the recent collision that took two lives, including Richard Tom who was riding alone in Hinesburg. Please join us for a ride in Richard’s memory. Richard was valued within the cycling community for his comprehensive knowledge of bicycle mechanics and equipment and also for his leadership of group rides in the US and Europe while working with Vermont Bicycle Tours. While at Earl’s Cyclery and Fitness, Richard guided many of us through the complexities of bike selection and fit. More importantly, it was Richard’s ever-friendly, but professional, manner that drew many of us to develop a strong and trusting relationship with him. There has been a huge outpouring of love and caring for Richard from throughout our cycling community. While our ride will mingle depths of sorrow for this loss, we also want to celebrate Richard’s life by gathering together to pay tribute to him. Those preferring not to cycle are welcome to join us either before or after the ride for conversation and remembrances.