Mail Tribune: May 16 ride will honor hurt or killed bicyclists

Events to celebrate the pleasure of riding a bicycle are planned all over the United States during the month of May. One event, The Ride of Silence, is an international event honoring cyclists who have been injured or killed while riding a bicycle.

The intent is to raise awareness that cyclists use the roads and highways and ask that all transportation users be courteous to each other and share the road. Rides of Silence have been planned in 48 states, with 200 such events scheduled worldwide.

The Ride of Silence in the Rogue Valley is sponsored by the Siskiyou Velo Bicycle Club. It will begin in Hawthorn Park at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16. The 14-mile event is a silent, slow-paced ride (maximum 12 mph/20 kph). Cyclists who attend are asked to wear a black armband if they personally know someone killed while cycling and a red armband if they personally have been hurt by a vehicle while cycling. Medford and Central Point police departments are providing officers on bicycles to accompany riders along the route.

Cyclists of all skill levels are invited to attend. However, you need to be able to ride 14 miles at a pace of 12 mph.

Today’s featured cycling route is the one that the Ride of Silence will follow and is provided so participants can become familiar with the route and get in some practice rides.

The relatively flat route begins in Hawthorn Park in Medford, and proceeds west on Main Street, through downtown Medford (I don’t suggest you use Main Street during rush hour traffic). Stay on West Main Street (Highway 238) until you get to North Ross Lane, where you turn right (mile 1.8). Continue on North Ross Lane, turn left on Rossanley Drive (mile 3.8), and then turn right (mile 4.5) and head north on Hanley Road. Follow Hanley Road into Central Point where it turns into Pine Street (mile 6.3).

Continue through downtown Central Point, up and over Interstate 5, and then enter the Bear Creek Greenway near the Pilot truck stop (mile 8.2). Follow the Bear Creek Greenway path to the south, back through Medford to the starting point in Hawthorn Park (mile 14).

Although this route passes through areas with denser automobile traffic, there are shoulders to ride in for a good share of the route. Traffic is moderate but moves at a slower pace through downtown Medford and Central Point.

I have found automobile drivers mostly courteous and cautious along this route but be careful maneuvering along the I-5 overpass and getting to the Bear Creek Geenway. Wear bright clothing and a helmet, use a rear-view mirror, and use hand signals when turning.

If you are planning to join us on May 16, please bring headlights and taillights in case darkness comes before the ride is finished. I hope to see you on the ride. In the meantime, try out this flat route. Have a great ride.

Bicycling enthusiast Bob Korfhage of Phoenix is a former president of Siskiyou Velo bicycle club.