The second annual Ride for Miles was held Saturday, Sept. 12. It was the conclusion to the weeklong Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium.
Miles Coburn was a faculty member at John Carroll University for over 30 years, eight of which were spent as chairman of the biology department. He was killed in August 2008 in a biking accident.
“[Miles was] very passionate about his role as a teacher, environmentalist and cyclist,” his brother, Chris Coburn, said.
The symposium featured local, national and international speakers on topics of green businesses and campuses, the decline of amphibious creatures and climate change in the Arctic.
The bike ride, open to riders of all abilities, covered fifteen miles from John Carroll’s Dolan Science Center, along Belvoir Boulevard, to Shaker Boulevard and Gates Mills Boulevard in Mayfield Heights, and back.
“He was a big bike rider and this was a loop he liked to do,” Bridget Coburn, Miles’ niece, said. “So it’s nice to continue the tradition.”
“It’s an incredible race, a great group of people,” said John Satola, a graphic designer from Cleveland Heights. “It’s great to support both Miles and his work at John Carroll. It’s just great to see your neighbors and fellow cyclists come out and do something good.”
Hamlin Quad, in front of Dolan Science Center, was the focal point of activity after riders completed the 15-mile trip. Riders, donning this year’s ride T-shirt and cycling jerseys, sat on the quad eating their lunch and enjoying the company of other members of the community.
Local bands The Swamp Rattlers, No Money Down, Pete McDonald & Friends, Porch and Heelsplitter serenaded the crowd with tunes throughout the event.
Peggy Spate, Miles’ wife, wants the ride and symposium to create a campus-wide awareness of taking care of the environment.
“Miles always worked very hard through his teaching and his activism to try to help John Carroll become a greener campus,” she said. “I know he’d like to see more bicycle racks and bicycles.”
Spate hopes that the symposium is a call to action for the students at John Carroll University. “It’s still not too late to take care of our planet and it starts right here in [our] own backyard,” said Spate.
John Carroll students were among the three hundred to four hundred anticipated riders who took part in the event. The meaning behind the event is not only to enjoy a great day of bike riding, but also to spread awareness of environmental issues while honoring Coburn.
“People wanted to do something like this that honored him, but also advanced the issues,” Chris Coburn said. “On the symposium, a lot of John Carroll students participated and I think you’re arming them with some important information that they can use as they go forward in their lives.”
