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YouTubeDear Ben,
Thank you so much for your note. George called me the next day and made all the connections. I had no idea when I passed the ghost bikes what they were. I’ve never seen or heard of such a memorial before to a fallen cyclist. It is an extraodinary coincidence indeed. I recall George speaking with our ride Director, Beth, about a ride they do in honor of someone but I never heard the whole story. And of course I had no idea who you were and it was a last second decision to stop my bike at that moment to say hello to you and your companions. I had debated the decision (with myself) on that lonely road) and there were strong arguments pro and con. Of course I made the lucky call. It seems like an impossibly unlikely coincidence and a very, very small world and perhaps that’s the point. I thought the bikes were just someone’s good idea of how to remind us all to be safe. In fact they are that and so much more. I would not have been so frolicsome at that moment of course if I’d understood that they were a memorial. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your story really threads it all back together. WHat I’m out here doing is ultimately about community. The better and more supportive we are of each other, the stronger we are. You, George, the homeless families in the shelters we visit and the driver of every passing car are all part of a just and generous community if we choose to be. Ok, back on my bike -t’s 127 miles to Richmond today but I was so moved when I realized all of this I wanted to grab the moment to write you back. I look forward to meeting you again some day and am returning your warm and loving thoughts.
All my best,
Trish
In memoriam: Ghost Bikes in Charlotte
Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 04/27 at 11:58 AM | Permalink
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A note from a Charlotte cyclist…
I met Trish yesterday on Highway 21 out of Columbia. I was with the JAARS group going the opposite way TO Columbia. (In the picture, I'm on the far left with a white long-sleeve windbreaker). Too dark to see the face, thank God. What a great cause, and what a terrific job Trish is doing! There is some interesting background. (I hope it doesn't deter Trish. I don't think it can break her spirit). You can share this with her as you wish.
The next blog entry was the Ghost Bikes on 521 coming into Charlotte. One of them is for my wife who was killed there on October 21, 2007 riding that same route on the last day of "The B.I.G. Ride" after 4,000 miles. (You can see more about it on our The Big Ride. It hasn't been updated since - sorry, my bad).
The other bike is for Tom Hoskins from Columbia who was hit at the same time and died there. On Trish's photo gallery, about the fourth and fifth frames from the left, the big guy in the yellow and blue jersey is George Rice. Evidently, he rode a little with Trish earlier. (Way to go, George!) George was Tom's best friend. He was riding with them that day, a little behind, and being first on the scene, he was down on the ground trying to stabilize Lee Anne when I came on my bike just minutes later.
I don't know if George told Trish about the ghost bikes, but if not, I find it ironic there were those connections.
Tell Trish all the best! We love her, keep it up!
Ben Barry
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