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LEHI — The cycling community of Utah rallied Friday to honor the memory of their friends who were killed Wednesday while riding their bikes to work.
About 100 cyclists donned their gear and orange arm bands and rode their bikes through a 20 mile stretch of Herriman and South Jordan.
The sight of dozens of cyclists pedaling for Bryan Byrge and John Coons gave Katie Byrge and Naomi Coons the strength they need at their time of grieving.
“They’re very tight-knit,” said Naomi Coons. “And so just that they would come together and honor our husbands who they may not have known, it really means a lot.”
And the thought of seeing so many bikers doing what their husbands loved almost made Coons and Byrge stay home. But they knew how much it would have meant to Bryan and John.
“We were teary and emotional,” said Katie Byrge. “It was one of those moments in life we’re grateful to be here surrounded by all of these wonderful people.”
Bryge lost her mother to cancer a few years ago, and her husband Bryan biked to raise money for cancer research. The event is a bitter-sweet moment for Byrge and Coons, because cycling brought them and them together and now the event brings them even closer.
“Just knowing that this community came and rode for them is all we can ask. It’s amazing,” said Byrge. And Coons agreed, “Seeing everyone in their team uniforms brought up a lot of emotion but at the same time it’s something that both of our husbands loved.”
The crowd of supporters, including family and friends, cheered on the cyclists as they began their ride. The sea of jersey, wheels, and spokes was overwhelming to Tom Jager. A recent knee surgery kept him from getting on the seat to ride for his best friend Bryan Byrge.
“Incredible emotion to see the people that loved Bryan, you can feel him here today,” said Jager. He wore one of Bryge’s bike jerseys to cheer on other cyclists.
As Jager wiped his tears, he remembered how fresh the wounds of losing his best friend are, “When I’m alone, it (his death) just doesn’t make sense. I don’t believe it. I find myself wanting to call him.”
Bryan Byrge has cycled for at least 15 years while John Coons was about two years new to the cycling community but they both had a tremendous impact on their fellow cyclists.
“Time heals all wounds,” said Ben Barker, John Coons’ best friend. “It’s going to take a lot of time. John and Bryan left a huge hole in all of our hearts.”
Barker said Coons and his wife loved biking so much they would watch the Tour of Utah races. Coons had just signed up with a racing team last year.
The bike ride was the cycling community’s way of keeping alive the memory of the two men known for being kind to everyone and putting their families first.
“He’d want us to keep riding to keep going,” Jager said.
"We were teary and emotional. It was one of those moments in life we're grateful to be here surrounded by all of these wonderful people." — Katie Byrge, wife of Bryan
Jager and Byrge have been friends for 18 years, and Jager said Bryge was a good example to him.
“The way he dealt with life, the way he lived his life, the way he loved his family,” Jager said. “He taught me how to be a better person.”
It was an emotional ride for many who made the trip through the south valley, which served as a remind of the two man they've come to cherish.
“They (Bryan and John) were an instant friend to anyone that came into contact with,” said Chad Bauerle. “People just knew of the love they had for them.”
Looking at the crowd of people and cyclists, some people are not surprised by the outpouring of support for Bryan Byrge and John Coons.
“That’s just the impact these guys had in people’s lives, “ said Chad Greenleaf. “They leave a massive hole.”
The cycling community wants to call attention to bike-road safety and hope cyclists and motorists will be extra attentive and considerate of each other when sharing the road.
Funeral arrangements for Bryan Byrge:
Viewing: Monday, March 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Jenkins-Soffe 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095
Funeral: Tuesday, March 18 at noon (a viewing will be held from 10 to 11:45 am) Herriman Stake Center 5562 West 13680 South Herriman, UT 84096
Funeral arrangements for John Coons:
Viewing: Tuesday, March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. Jenkins-Soffe 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095
Funeral: Wednesday, March 19 at noon (a viewing will be held from 10:00 to 11:45 am) Herriman Stake Center 5562 West 13680 South Herriman, UT 84096
