Each year a local “Fashion Show” cycling group gathers during the holidays to ride throughout the west side of Los Angeles and spread good cheer to unsuspecting homeless throughout these communities. They generally bring small gift cards and small amounts of cash to surprise the homeless they come upon.

This year tragedy struck our local west side cycling group when Dr. Russell Moon was struck by a car on Allenford Ave. He was just returning from an afternoon mountain bike ride. Dr. Moon’s injuries are life changing as he is now paralyzed from the neck down and currently relies on a respirator. The accident has sickened many of us and heightened our awareness about our own fragility.

The group will ride in Russell’s honor and raise donations for Ralph’s Riders Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which enables individuals with spinal cord injuries and paralysis to achieve their highest level of independence, health and personal fulfillment. Ralph’s Riders Foundation brings people living with a spinal cord injury together with those living with similar injuries who have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and are living life at its fullest.

The ride will take place on December 17th, 2011 at 7:30AM, meeting at The Santa Monica Bike Center, 1555 2nd St., Santa Monica, CA (310) 656-8500 and will conclude at Bike Improve 10929 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 400-0363 where they will have refreshments and the proceeds from any sales at the shop will go to the charity, Ralph’s Riders.

Total ride time should be approx. 2-2-1/2 hrs., including some rest stops along the way.

Read the Inspiration behind Ralph’s Riders Foudtion here

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