Clearing the air one pedalstroke at a time.

Pedaling, writing toward a better Metro area for cyclists, pedestrians, people who breathe and, by extension, drivers. This is the chronicle of the the battles that we fight, the victories.

Friday, August 10, 2007

New Route for Sunday





This is the Custard Cruise route for Sunday. Meet at the Brookside parking lot across the street from Foo's Frozen Custard at 2PM.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Vigil for 2 Cyclists on Saturday Morning

The Greater Kansas City Bike Federation will lead a ride out to the collision site at 8AM Saturday Morning August 11 from the Parking Lot behind Roasterie/Bella Napoli in Brookside.
The route for the vigil for Saturday Morning is here: http://www.routeslip.com/routes/57346
We'll try to be ready to leave at 8:00 AM. We'll be carrying a couple Ghost Bikes out in Trailers.

Here's the Star story

2nd Bicyclist Dies From Collision With Pickup
Grandfather, 14-Year-Old Granddaughter Killed

UPDATED: 4:41 pm CDT August 7, 2007
GRANDVIEW, Mo. -- A collision between a pickup and two bicyclists has claimed a second life.
On Tuesday, police said Sierra Gaunt, 14, died as a result frominjuries suffered in Monday night's collision. She is on life support pending organ donor arrangements, police said.

Gaunt's grandfather, 59-year-old Larry C. Gaunt, of Lee's Summit, Mo., died at the scene when the two bicyclists were hit by a pickup truck on Raytown Road near Harry Truman Drive.
Relatives said Larry Gaunt had ridden in the last 15 years of the MS 150 Bike Ride, and this year was going to be his granddaughter's first ride.

The two had just visited a local bicycle shop before the collision.

"He was very competitive. He rode hard -- he liked to be out front," said Chris Smedley with The Bicycle Shack. "A very strong riderfor his age -- he could keep up with anyone. He could ride with the top groups in any club ride."
Smedley said Larry Gaunt had brought his granddaughter into the shop a few weeks ago to buy bicycle gear.
"Said he was getting her into the MS 150. He bought her a helmet and gloves," Smedley said.

Bicyclists often use the section of Raytown Road where the two were hit, Smedley said.

"The road usually has debris on it, so bikes will take the inside lane because the car tires keep it clear," Smedley said.
It's not clear why the pickup driver didn't see the two bicyclists.
The collision remains under investigation.
Police said the driver, a 48-year-old Grandview man, was cooperating with officers. No charges have been filed.