DES MOINES, Iowa -- Hundreds of riders from central Iowa’s bicycle community took to the streets in a slow, silent ride Wednesday. It was for the annual ride of silence where cyclists honor those in their ranks who have been injured or killed by a car in the past year.
Wade Franck's name was on the tongues of almost every cyclist that lined up to ride from Kyle’s Bikes, the shop where he used to work in Ankeny, to the “Ride of Silence” in downtown Des Moines.
“There are a couple of my guys who aren’t going go because they don’t think they can intermix with everyone,” said Kyle Robinson, the owner of Kyle’s Bikes. “They’re too emotional.”
“When the word came back, it hit everybody pretty hard. And Wade is just a phenomenal person. He helped me out personally. He was kind of an educator. He liked to help everybody learn stuff. He was passionate about it and just a great guy. So, yeah it’s going to be an awesome turnout and respect to honor Wade’s memory,” said Joe Bechen, friend of Franck.
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