Don't be surprised if you see cyclists on the road today.

Several groups around Gainesville are holding rides early this morning, and more than 600 cyclists will ride at Laurel Park in the Tri2Remember triathlon.

Weeks after losing a local triathlon member, racers with the Fit2Tri shop on Thompson Bridge Road will wear red ribbons in memory of T.J. Pattillo, who died Sept. 4 when he was hit by a car from behind while cycling in southern Hall County. Donations will got to Pattillo's family.

"We're asking everyone to wear it to remember him and his family," said Mark Grogan, who owns Fit2Tri with his wife Lisa. "Everyone remembers how fragile we are and how quick a ride can turn tragic. After it happened, I didn't go to my next two rides."

Pattillo was taking a 7 a.m. bike ride with a friend along Sloan Mill Road when they were hit from behind by a car travelling in the same direction. Pattillo, 31, was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he died a few hours later. His friend had minor injuries.

The Georgia State Patrol is continuing its investigation of the case through its Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, which can take months to resolve. No charges have been filed.

"We don't know whose fault it was, but we do realize that we put ourselves at risk when we bike," said Ken Robinson, a local cyclist and a leader of the Fit2Tri club. "We're asking motorists for their help. You can do something for people that doesn't cost any money or any time, and it's less stressful for the driver, too, to slow down. That's the single most important thing a motorist can do - slow down."

Fit2Tri and other local cycling groups are asking cyclists and drivers to be safe and follow traffic laws.

"The people who scare us are going 60 miles per hour in a 40 zone and aren't willing to slow down. They want to buzz us and scare us, and they're successful," Robinson said.
"Just take five to 10 seconds to slow down and leave a few feet on the side. You don't even have to get into the other lane."

Fit2Tri employees tell their members to ride single file in the direction of traffic, wear reflective clothing, make eye contact with drivers and use lights on bikes and helmets, even in the daytime.

"Any extra thing that can be used to be seen by that extra motorist who isn't paying attention makes all the difference," Grogan said.

As fall begins, the numbers of cyclists on the roads increases and the number of daylight hours decreases.

"This applies to the runners, too. We opened the store in Gainesville because of the running presence, which makes up two-thirds of our business," Grogan said. "When I came in this morning, it was dark out and I saw 15 runners on the road. Cars don't stop for them at the sidewalks and just zoom up to the road. Sometimes I feel safer running on the shoulder of the road."

Fit2Tri plans to post more safety tips on its website.

"We see people who must commute by bike to work but aren't cyclists, and they go against the flow of traffic and don't wear a helmet," said Jenny Crumley, president of the Fit2Tri club. "That really worries us."

The number of cycling accidents in Gainesville has remained low, but groups around the area continue to remind themselves what can happen.

"I have been riding for over 22 years and can only remember two club rides that had accidents that required medical attention. No cars were involved and they were both cyclist error," said Lloyd Unnold, who rides with Chicken City Cyclists. "We do ride in groups, usually wearing brightly colored clothing, often with reflective patches and often with a flashing red tail light. We drive our bicycles like we drive our cars because we are legal vehicles under Georgia law and share the roads."