From: John Williams
March 01,2006
Inspired by the memory of Todd Weaver, a group of local cyclists is organizing a unique bicycle event to promote cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle and as a safe, alternative mode of transportation. Cycle Charlotte, sponsored in part by OrthoCarolina, will combine a children’s bike safety rodeo, a 2-mile family fun ride, 10 and 25-mile center city routes, bike acrobatic stunt shows, food, music and fun for cyclists of all ages. The event will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on May 13, 2006, during the ten-day BIKE! CHARLOTTE festival.
The festival will kick off at the Preferred Parking lot at 7th and Brevard Streets with the Family Fun Ride—a short route through uptown Charlotte, escorted by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. The 10 and 25-mile routes are loops extending from the 2-mile route, with all options returning to the festival site. Musical entertainment will be provided by The Amy Broome Band and Gigi Dover.
Cycle Charlotte is designed as a commuter ride, with cyclists encouraged to visit ride sponsors along the route such as restaurants, coffee houses, etc. Options include visiting the new Trips for Kids Recyclery in the North Davidson area. The organizers are promoting safe riding in the streets: helmets will be mandatory and volunteer bike marshals will uphold compliance with traffic laws. A principal goal is for participants to simply enjoy cycling in the streets of Charlotte. The event will benefit the Charlotte community and B.I.K.E.S (www.charlottebikes.org) a local non-profit advocacy group.
''We hope we can coax people who haven’t ridden in years to dust off their old bikes and join us,'' said Tom Waldron, one of the organizers. ''Todd Weaver was a huge cycling enthusiast—we are inspired by his great attitude and boundless energy, and we want to honor him by making our community safer for all types of riders.''
Weaver was hit and killed by a CATS bus in October, leaving behind his wife Pam, son Brady and daughter Elizabeth. The Weaver family, including Todd’s brother Mark, is heavily involved in Cycle Charlotte planning. ''Todd would have been so proud and honored knowing that he inspired Cycle Charlotte to take place,'' said Pam Weaver. ''Todd believed in and supported family events and biking for the community. This is a positive and fun way to bring the community together to enjoy biking while promoting bike safety. Todd loved to have fun and always had a smile on his face. Cycle Charlotte is a wonderful effort and I know that Todd has a smile on his face in heaven.''
The groups organizing the ride include the Rank Riders, Dirt Divas and B.I.K.E.S. of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Additional information is available at www.cyclecharlotte.com.
Written by:
John Williams
John Williams, Rank Rider, road cyclist and mountain biker, rode in the 2005 MS 150 as a teammate of Todd Weaver’s. John continues to step up his bicycle advocacy in an effort to make the Charlotte Metro area more biker-friendly.
