Decatur Ride of Silence launches alternative events after cancellation

The Decatur Ride of Silence won’t go on as planned, but organizers have launched two alternative events that allow would-be participants to ride together virtually or in small groups.

Rather than meeting in person for the event, nonprofit organization Bike Friendly ATL has launched a Zwift Virtual ROS Meet Up. Riders can meet on the multiplayer virtual cycling program three times on Wednesday, May 20. Only 100 people are allowed per ride. Bike Friendly ATL also has a Zwift Facebook page, which participants can visit here.

» RELATED: Here's how to take a virtual bike ride around Atlanta

The three rides take place at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Participants will bike along the Tick Tock route, which is 10.5 flat miles ridden at 10-12 mph. Interested cyclists can message the organizer, noting the ride in which they’d like to participate.

"Please honor our fallen by using the BASIC 2 JERSEY for this event and showing up!" the post on the Bike Friendly ATL Zwifter Facebook page reads.

At 6:20 p.m., there will be a live Ride of Silence poem reading on the Bikefriendlyatl fan page.

Another event is relegated to individuals riding in small groups.

» RELATED: The cyclist's guide to Atlanta

"The ROS recommends that as many people that can ride in small families or a couple of riders around your neighborhood beginning at 7pm on the 20th," Bike Friendly ATL wrote. It also encouraged people to "take a few pics and tag Bikefriendlyatl, Inc and use hashtags #NFOFF and #Rideofsilence2020 so we can collect pics and get some numbers!!"

Dave Matthews of Bike Friendly ATL also noted he’s “sadly in the making of several ghost bikes for fallen friends around Ga and will be doing placement events where they are accepted or warranted.”

DETAILS
Bike Friendly ATL Zwift VIrual ROS Meet Up
8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 20
Zwift
ROS poem reading at 6:20 p.m.
Neighborhood ride at 7 p.m.