Seventh Annual Matt’s Moon River Cruise

The Seventh Annual Matt’s Moon River Cruise will be held on Saturday, June 15 at Perc Coffee Roasters. The event is named in memory of Matt Kohler, who was hit from behind by a driver on July 26, 2012, while riding his bike on U.S. Highway 80 in Bloomingdale. Matt’s Moon River Cruise is presented by the Law Offices of Joe J. Steffen, Bike Law. Children under 12 are admitted for free.

A casual bike ride will leave Perc at 1 p.m. and return for a party featuring coffee and snacks from Perc Coffee Roasters, food trucks, a silent auction, and more.

Moon River Brewing Company will be on site pouring some of their top drafts, including Matt’s Moon Cruise, a Belgo-American Pale Ale.

The goal is to educate the public on how to safely share the road with people who bike and promote efforts to make our streets safer for all road users. All proceeds benefit Bike Walk Savannah’s education programs.

Helmets are required for the rides. If you’re interested in volunteering, sign up here.

SBC board remembers friend killed by hit and run driver, urges respect for cyclists

The Savannah Morning News published an edited letter to the editor from SBC board member Kim Turner on Oct. 28, 2016. Kim is also a member of the Coastal Bicycle Touring Club and was a friend of Dr. Deborah Wilkowski, who was killed by a hit and run driver Oct. 22. Here is her letter as originally submitted, in its entirety:

Once again the cycling community has lost one of its members to a senseless act of violence. Dr. Deborah Wilkowski, a member of Coastal Bicycle Touring Club, was killed last Saturday by someone who was driving with a suspended license. He did not stop. He fled the scene like a coward, and hid until the vehicle could be identified and his picture plastered in the news and social media. He turned himself in Sunday night and is facing three misdemeanors and one felony hit and run charge resulting in serious injury or death. I am sure Debbie’s family and the Savannah medical community are devastated. Our cycling club is shaken to its core.

Deb and I had a Texas connection that we recently discussed over lunch after a regular Saturday ride. I didn’t know her well, but her death and the circumstances around it, have shaken me to the point that I am afraid to get back on my bike. Many times we have experienced drivers who think we don’t belong on the road although Georgia law allows it. Once several of us were almost forced off the road by a dump truck driver. It was clearly intentional and we were able to confront him when he pulled into the landfill on Little Neck Road. When we rode to his truck to talk to him, he raised a sledgehammer to us. Luckily no one was injured.

Instances of “buzzing” us on rural highways, honking as the vehicle approaches from the rear and yelling obscenities are common. And all we are doing is enjoying the sport we love.

I don’t know how many injuries and deaths it will take for people to realize the seriousness of their actions. Fortunately, Dennis Lee Stuart was caught and now faces serious penalties for his crimes. I can only hope he is locked up for years. My fellow club members are ready to testify against dangerous drivers. We are also ready to assist in educational programs to raise awareness of this problem. It is a problem that doesn’t need to be. It is preventable. Kindness and common courtesy go hand in hand with the law. Georgia law requires a motorized vehicle to allow at least three feet when passing a cyclist. On most roads, we are allowed the same rights as a vehicle. This means we may take the lane if that is the safest way to travel and to be seen. Follow the law, be kind and extend us some common courtesy.

I encourage all drivers to take a cycling safety course. Not only will it make you a safer cyclist, it will make you a safer driver. It made me a much more cautious driver and slowed me down considerably.

But for now, we have to say goodbye to one of our beloved club members who died senselessly. It will take a long time to recover, if we ever do.

Coastal Bicycle Touring Club makes donation to SBC in memory of Ed Jewell

Ed Jewell

The Coastal Bicycle Touring Club has made a donation to the Savannah Bicycle Campaign in memory of Edward Robinson Jewell (1939-2014). Ed was a beloved member of CBTC, and an SBC volunteer and member. He is remembered fondly by his fellow cyclists:

He will be greatly missed. Not many people become legends in their lifetimes, but Ed in his quiet and unassuming way did just that among those who knew him or knew of him. He will not be forgotten. Ride on Ed.” — Arte Rahn

“I can’t believe anything could stop Ed’s metronomic pedaling. I know he’s still tapping out that beautiful cadence somewhere. We sure will miss you, Ed. About the nicest person I ever met. — Frank McIntosh

“Soft spoken but hard pedaling, Ed was a pleasure to ride with…if you could keep up! Now he’s got God-speed, I’ll continue to feel you out there Ed in the whispering pines and roads around Rincon,” — Roy Mueller

“We all loved Ed and admired him for his leadership, and his love of cycling. We will miss Ed out front on the Rincon ride.” —  Glenn Shealey

“Ed was a remarkable friend–he was one of the first people Buddy and I met when we began bicycling in 1985, and we kept up all these years.  In the last few years, I would ride part of the Jewell of a ride, just because he was leading it. Ed was a Jewell of a person, and I will miss him.” — Jane Kahn

Individuals wishing to make a donation to the Savannah Bicycle Campaign in memory of Ed Jewell, may use this online donation form or mail a check to:

Savannah Bicycle Campaign
1301 Lincoln St.
Suite A
Savannah, GA 31401

The Savannah Bicycle Campaign, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.