Our mini-blogathon to cover the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington continues today for the third day as Team 26 continues their 400 mile ride. Please heed the call to action in yesterday's wrap up by DefendOurConstitution, Sandy Hook Ride on Washington - March 10 (Day 2) - In Awe of the Spirit - with ACTION ALERT.
Team 26 - Day 2 Afternoon - We applaud the 3 mayors we met with today for their leadership on this critical issue and for signing on with the Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
After the Frenchtown event, we crossed the Delaware River (attached photo) into Pennsylvania and then rode another 50 miles through beautiful country to Exton, PA, [where they stopped for the night] with an obligatory stop at WAWA on the way.
Day 2 - Team 26 Crossing the Delaware River
Welcome to Pennsylvania
Tomorrow [March 11], we ride to Baltimore. We will be led by a Baltimore Police escort from the Baltimore city limits to City Hall where we will be meeting with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. The scourge of gun violence is an American problem. It occurred in Sandy Hook on 12/14, but it occurs everyday in our cities, including Baltimore, Bridgeport, Hartford, Chicago and our Nation's capitol. Small towns and large cities are united in demanding stronger laws to end this madness.
Sandy Hook Ride on Washington
Team 26 (AKA The Sandy Hook Riders) are a mix of professional, top amateur, and masters cyclists from the Northeast. Monte Frank, of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, started Team 26 as a way to deliver a message to Congress demanding common sense gun legislation.
Their team includes a former US National Team member, Canadian National Team member, Masters National Champion, and State and Regional Champions. Three members of the Team are from Newtown, including Monte Frank, Bill Muzzio and Chris Peck. Two of the riders have children who went to the Sandy Hook School. Their team includes parents, teachers, and a Vietnam Veteran. They all care deeply about our children and seek reasonable gun control legislation.
We will be covering the ride again later today and tomorrow as Team 26 and the Virginia Tech Victims Cycling Team ride that last 15 miles into Washington, D.C. together.
Every great team needs a great support crew. "Getting 26 cyclists from the Sandy Hook School to the Capitol safely and trouble free is no easy task, and it requires a lot more than just riders willing to push the pedals for almost 400 miles." Please join us in supporting the enthusiastic crew members riding with Team 26 to Washington by calling on Congress to pass common sense gun safety legislation.
Support the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington at their Facebook Page [registration is not required] and follow them on Twitter.
This is how we roll. We're a team! #Newtown2DC twitter.com/MonteFrank1/st…
— Monte Frank (@MonteFrank1) March 10, 2013
Tweet Pic from Monte Frank - "This is how we roll" - Three Team 26 riders supporting each other up a long hill.
Experienced cyclists at Daily Kos Explain the Joy and Power of Riding in a Peloton
To my inexperienced eyes, cyclists riding in a
peloton always look so strong.
What I love most about the picture, “This is How we Roll,” that Monte Frank tweeted yesterday is the way it shows the vulnerability of competing with your team. When you rely on your team to help you until you catch your second wind, it's the antithesis of "You're on your own!" In the comments yesterday, experienced cyclists here at Daily Kos interpreted the picture, explaining both the power and the joy of riding in a peloton.
Dear occupant explained why the picture of cyclists supporting their teammate is his favorite.
by dear occupant on Sun Mar 10, 2013 at 11:47:00 AM PDT
This ride is inspiring.
I was a competitive cyclist for 20 years or so and heartened by the first pic showing the 3 riders. That 'hands on' gesture is an old skool cycling tradition.
The rider on the right is struggling a bit, you can see the pack further ahead at the top of the pic. The second rider is pushing and aiding the first, the third rider is pushing the second. They are a team, they are in this together and that pic couldn't show that devotion any better.
B R A V O riders!
Day 1 - Team 26 Riding in a Peloton
dear occupant explained the joy and power of riding in a peloton.
by dear occupant on Sun Mar 10, 2013 at 12:16:07 PM PDT
Peloton riding is a joy and it's also a highly developed skill to properly place yourself to take the wind for the rider behind you, to stay steady to not bump a wheel, to know when to drop back or move to the front sensing when that rider is spent. There is a power in the peloton.
When it's done well, there are few feelings better in team sports.
Day 2 - Team 26 Riding in a Peloton
Sfbob pointed out that riding in a peloton uses the same strategy that migrating birds use to conserve energy.
by sfbob on Sun Mar 10, 2013 at 01:00:43 PM PDT
I'm an endurance cyclist rather than a competitive cyclist but I did compete once. At the beginning of my training for that event it was explained to me that pelotons work on the same principle as migrating flocks of birds. Each bird takes turns blocking the wind so that the ones behind it can save their energy; as the lead bird tires it moves to the back to recharge.
BeninSC explained the physics behind the joy of cycling in a peloton.
by BeninSC on Sun Mar 10, 2013 at 02:14:54 PM PDT
It is one of the few ways members of our species can personally and directly experience the miracles of fluid dynamics. Riding in a peleton is a special experience, indeed. I have never met any of these guys, but I know them as my brothers, all the same.
Thank you, dear occupant.
First, Let's Meet the Riders
Rider #1. Monte Frank, Sandy Hook, Connecticut
Rider #2: Bill Muzzio, Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Rider #3. Chris Peck, Newtown, Connecticut
Rider #4. John Funk, South Kent, Connecticut
Rider #5. Stephen Badger, Roxbury, Connecticut
Rider #6. Andrea Myers, Danbury, Connecticut
Rider #7. Mike Andrews, Danbury, Connecticut
Rider #8. Tom Officer, Litchfield, Connecticut
Rider #9. Jeremy Brazeal, Manchester, Connecticut
Rider #10. Officer Jeff Silver, Newtown, Connecticut
Rider #11: Matt Baldwin, Redding, Connecticut
Rider #12: Jonathan Lowenstein, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Rider #13: Lieutenant Gary Lyke, Brookfield, Connecticut
Rider #14: Michael Magur, Newburgh, New York
Rider #15: Andy Officer, Goshen, Connecticut
Rider #16: Fred Thomas, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Rider #17: Carl Reglar, Mt. Vernon, New York
Rider #18: Wayne Prescott, Litchfield, Connecticut
Rider #19: Kevin Fitzmaurice, Middlebury, Connecticut
Rider #20: Megan Cea, West Harrison, New York
Rider #21: Brian Suto, Oxford, Connecticut
Rider #22: Matt Emeott, Woodbury, Connecticut
Rider #23: John Ford, West Harrison, New York
Rider #24: Aidan Charles, Middletown, Connecticut
Rider #25: Heather Peck, Newtown, Connecticut
Honorary Team #26 Rider: Chris McDonnell, Sandy Hook, Connecticut
Yesterday we introduced Riders #1 - 9, Sandy Hook Ride on Washington - March 10 (Day2) Meet the Riders. In the profiles below, Riders 10 - 18 express why they are riding to Washington to promote common sense gun safety legislation.
Join us in supporting them on their Facebook pages, by following Team 26 on Twitter, and by calling your Representatives and Senators to advocate for common sense gun safety legislation. The rest of the team will be profiled tomorrow and Tuesday.
Newtown Police Officer Jeff Silver
Rider #10: Officer Jeff Silver, Newtown Department of Police Services
WHY I RIDE?
As a law enforcement officer, I am charged with the protection and security of the citizens. If a change can be made which will aid in this mission then I support it. Reform of the mental health system is overdue. Most of the use of force incidents we are exposed to involve a person with a mental health issue. Development of an outpatient system available for referral by police at the early signs of problems, and enforcement of the inpatient system will get those the help they need.
I ride for common sense gun control laws. I ride for background checks and registration of all weapons. When I respond to a physical domestic in progress, or a suicidal call, I should not have to wonder if there are firearms at that house. The regulation of high capacity sources, rifles-regardless of the date of manufacture of the lower, background checks, and firearms tracking need to be reformed.
I ride in support of the families of the victims. I ride in support of my brothers and sisters in law enforcement. I ride in support of all those affected by 12-14-12. I ride so that their pain and suffering were not in vain, but that they fuel the catalyst of change.
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Officer Jeff Silver's 2010 Award for Bravery
Police Recognize Officers with Awards
Officer Jeffrey Silver received an award for bravery demonstrating "exceptional heroism in the performance of duty while exposed to life-imperiling danger."
Matt Baldwin
Rider #11: Matt Baldwin, Redding, Connecticut
WHY I RIDE?
As I stood there that December day seeing the news reports come in, I was frozen watching the parents on the television scrambling to find their children they had put on the bus just hours before. This was too close to home. So close that my 2 year old daughter had to spend the day in lockdown the next town over from Newtown and I could do nothing.
I could not count how many times I had ridden past this school over the years. I had trouble believing this violent, preventable crime had been repeated again, much less close enough to directly impact my daughter, my friends, and their children.
I am riding so that I will never have to worry that when I drop my daughter off at school or put her on the bus, that she is not safe, and so that we don’t get to the point where teachers have to carry handguns or have armed guards and metal detectors at every school.
I know we cannot change everything overnight, but the most important thing I can teach my daughter is to always try and make a difference and stand for what you believe is right. This is why I ride.
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Matt Baldwin's Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Jonathan Lowenstein
Rider #12: Jonathan Lowenstein, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
WHY I RIDE?
I ride because I can. I was really moved when the shootings happened on December 14th. The first thing I wanted to do was to go get my seven year old daughter from school. It was just around lunch time, and she had to finish her day and go to her after school program. I spent the next few hours watching the details of this tragedy unfold on TV. Finally, I could go get her. I think the only time I was more happy to see her was when she was born. I told her what happened that day because I wanted her to hear it from me so she could ask any questions and get the truth. I didn't want her getting misinformation from classmates or friends. Eventually, Monday came, and I had to take her to the bus stop like I do every day. That's when I felt like there was nothing I could do to keep her safe at school. Our town was planning on increasing police presence at the schools. What could I do? Soon after, the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington popped up on facebook. They had one simple request: like our page to spread the word. I did along with most of every other post that came out. Then they asked people to buy stickers for their bikes to show support. I got five. Caroline, my daughter even has one on her bike. Then they asked me to join the ride. I didn't even need to think it over. This was something I could do. If I can be part of something that may help to get sensible legislation passed making the world a little better for everyone, I will. I've been racing bikes since 1986, and riding to Washington will be the most meaningful ride I've ever done.
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Jonathan Lowenstein' Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Lieutenant Gary Lyke
Rider #13: Lieutenant Gary Lyke, Brookfield, Connecticut
Served in Vietnam - U.S. Army
WHY I RIDE?
For 3 years I was honored to be a guest at a Veteran’s Day Breakfast sponsored by the Sandy Hook Elementary School students. My host, Sarah, was a student at SHS and daughter of my close friend Monte. Veterans’ guests included grandfathers, fathers, uncles, cousins and family friends; representing WWII through Iraq and Afghanistan. I was one of several who served in Vietnam.
The morning would begin with each veteran joining their student sponsor and faculty outside of the school for the raising of our flag. We then moved to our sponsor’s classroom to meet their classmates and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. The student would then present us with homemade cards thanking us for our service to our country. We were then escorted to the school cafeteria, decorated with handmade crafts honoring us veterans and our country; here the students would lead us through a buffet breakfast. A guest speaker, always someone on active military duty, would give a short talk about the importance of Veteran’s Day. The last year, one student’s relative serving in Iraq sent a letter thanking the faculty and students for taken the time to honor our country’s veterans. The breakfast would conclude with the school choir singing patriotic songs, from Yankee Doodle Dandy to America the Beautiful. For me and I am sure all the veterans, the experience was humbling and reminded me how proud I am to have served my country.
On December 14, 2012 a horrible tragedy took place at this same school. Twenty six innocent people were killed, 20 of them First Graders. I ride to honor them and all those who cared enough to honor me.
I ride in the hope I can help encourage our leaders to join in creating meaningful, common sense laws making it safe for children to grow and inherit the freedoms I and other veterans served for.
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Gary Lyke's Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Michael Magur
Rider #14: Michael Magur, Newburgh, New York
WHY I RIDE?
I ride as a new father who believes action must be taken to help minimize gun violence. Like most of you I have watched too many news reports of shootings prior to Sandy Hook. On December 14th, with my daughter in my arms, I turned on the news and saw the early reports of the tragedy that was still unfolding in Newtown, Connecticut. In those very first moments of watching the news, my perspective on gun violence changed in an instant because I knew Newtown. I have been to Newtown. I know people who live in Newtown and who have sent their children to Sandy Hook Elementary. Gun violence was no longer just a headline in the newspaper, but rather it became a tragedy that touched the lives of people I know and care about. Still watching the events unfold in front of me I sat back down on the edge of the bed hugging my daughter a bit tighter before promising her I would do everything in my power to protect her from such evils.
Looking back I fear I was becoming desensitized to the gun violence all around me. The events of 12-14-12 have made me realize that no one is safe from gun violence and if I want a safer future for my family, then it is my responsibility to be part of the solution.
I know this is a complex issue that involves state and federal laws, flaws in our mental health system and issues of constitutionality, among many other concerns. I ride to ask our politicians to work in a bipartisan manner to draft legislation which will help protect us from gun violence while preserving our right to bear arms. I ride to honor the victims and their families who have had to endure more pain than anyone ever should. I ride so that my daughter will have a safer tomorrow then we have today.
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Michael Magur's Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Andy Officer
Rider #15: Andy Officer, Goshen, Connecticut
WHY I RIDE?
I ride because I want to make a difference.
In memory of all the victims lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy, for their families and for the community of Newtown. Because they deserve to see change, change that leads us to a safer world.
I ride for that change. I'm riding on team 26 because I know together we can create positive change. Together as a team, as a community, as a country we can help prevent another tragedy from happening. I ride because I know together we can help save lives.
I'm riding because in my heart I know it's the right thing to do. If riding on a team of 26 cyclists over 400 miles is a small part I can contribute on trying to make this world a safer place, than I'll ride any day.
PS: Andy's father and one of his high school teachers are also riding on Team 26.
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Andrew Officer's Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Fred Thomas
Rider #16: Fred Thomas, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
WHY I RIDE?
I am riding because something good must come of the awful events of Sandy Hook. I am riding because I represent the “silent majority” of gun owners who do not subscribe to the National Rifle Association’s angry and extreme message of solidarity. I am riding because it is a privilege and an honor to be invited to ride with such a great group of cyclists for such a worthwhile cause.
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Frederic Thomas' Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Rider #17: Carl Reglar
Rider #17: Carl Reglar, Mt. Vernon, New York
WHY I RIDE?
I am humbled to be part of this group. Like most of us, I’m still in shock over the Newtown tragedy. Having friends who live in the town with small children made this terrible act resonate much more than it would if it occurred on the other side of the country. I can’t even imagine what the victim’s families are going through. These acts of violence which seem to be happening more frequently need to stop. We all need to be part of solutions to end gun violence and this ride is my small part. However, I will never forget that the laws we have need to change to prevent future acts of violence in all communities. I am committed to this cause and I ask you to support legislation that makes our communities stronger and safer. It’s an honor to ride for Newtown, as well as all towns and cities across the country that have been affected by gun violence.
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Carl Reglar's Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Wayne Prescott
Rider #18: Wayne Prescott, Litchfield, Connecticut
Library Media Specialist at New Milford High School
WHY I RIDE?
I ride for the educators and students in Newtown, and every town, who wake up each morning and face the day with a smile. None of us will ever forget the terrible tragedy in Sandy Hook, a day when everyone got out of bed with that same smile on their faces. And in spite of the horror of that day, we all still do it, every day. This is defines us and who we are.
As the events of December 14 unfolded, my high school went into lockdown. In the dark, sitting on the floor under desks and tables with dozens of students around me, one could hear a pin drop. With only erratic and sometimes unreliable information coming to us via social media on our personal devices, we wondered how something so evil and unthinkable could be carried out against such innocent children. We couldn’t share, discuss, comfort or filter the information out loud. We just sat, wondering and hoping. None of us ever want to be in that place again, but we all know it is in the realm of possibility unless we can motivate our society to undergo radical change.
As an educator, I fully understand how the faculty and staff at SHS could do what they did in the face of such terror. They tried as best they could to keep that smile on, soften those fears, and in some cases give their lives to protect their students. I have no children of my own, but I have had thousands of students over my 20-year career I consider “my children” and I have some sense of those feelings parents have every day. Ironically, 2 of the riders on the SHRoW are a former student and his father, a fitting connection for me personally that puts the tragedy, and what I do every day as an educator, in perspective.
To me, this ride is not a political statement or a challenge to the Second Amendment and the rights of responsible gun owners. This ride is about moving forward and keeping productive, intelligent, reasonable discourse on the table. As responsible citizens, we all have a common goal of making our country a safer, stronger and more supportive place for our children, in spite of any reasonable philosophical or political differences we may have. For this, I ride with pride and honor.
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Wayne Prescott's Cycling Record at USA Cycling
Sandy Hook Ride on Washington ~ March 9 - 12
Team 26 is a group of 26 elite cyclists who will ride from Newtown, CT to Washington, DC beginning on March 9 and arriving on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol on March 12. Along the way, we will stop in Ridgefield, CT, Frenchtown, NJ and Baltimore, MD. Our goal: to bring Newtown's message to Washington in support of common sense gun legislation.
Please join us as we follow Monte Frank, Peter Olson and the other members of Team 26 as they travel from Newtown, CT to Washington DC. Embedded blogger Becky Frank (Monte’s daughter) will be providing info and photos from the daily events.
Click here to visit Team 26's Facebook page
Facebook account not required
To add this series to your stream
follow the "Team 26" tag
or follow on Tweeter: SHRoW@SHRoW2013
Saturday 3/9
tytalus ~ Morning kick-off 5:30am EST
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Crew"
Glen The Plumber ~ Evening Wrap-up
Sunday 3/10
Dave in Northridge ~ Morning kick-off
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Riders"
DefendOurConstitution ~ Evening Wrap-up
Monday 3/11
this is only a test ~ Ride with "Team 26"
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Riders" 2pm EDT
glorificus ~ Evening
Tuesday 3/12
Hey338Too ~ Morning
LilithGardener ~ "Meet the Riders" 2pm EDT
remembrance ~ Evening
3:48 PM PT: CALL TO ACTION - Please contact your US Representative today - find them here: http://www.house.gov/...
8:25 PM PT: Our coverage of Team 26 continues with today's wrap up by Glorificus: http://www.dailykos.com/...