The White Line Announces ‘Ride for Magnus” Memorial Bike Ride and Lives Worth Remembering Film Series

May 7, 2024

The White Line Announces ‘Ride For Magnus’ Memorial Bike Ride And Release Of The First Episode Of The Lives Worth Remembering Film Series: Christian And Michelle Deaton

BOULDER, CO/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The White Line announces the “Ride for Magnus: Ride for Your Life” memorial bike ride on August 11, 2024, in honor of Magnus White, the rising U.S. cycling star who was struck and killed by a driver on July 29, 2023, while training just outside of his hometown of Boulder.

Held in partnership with cycling and advocacy organizations from across the United States, the ride will honor Magnus and call for legislative and infrastructure changes to make American roads safe for all those who use them.

“This ride is important for so many reasons. First, it’s a heartfelt tribute to our son, Magnus, whose memory we will honor with every pedal stroke. Second, it is a rallying cry for change. The number of cyclist and pedestrian fatalities is rising dramatically, influenced by many factors, and can no longer be ignored. Increasingly, evidence suggests that driver behavior is the primary contributor to these deaths. It is crucial that we address driver behavior and reform penalties immediately.” said Michael White, Magnus’s father.

Magnus White, 17, was a member of the USA Cycling National Team and winner of the 2021 Junior 17-18 Cyclocross National Championships. He was in his final preparations for the Junior Men’s Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, when he was so tragically killed.

Riders will depart from the University of Colorado, Boulder campus, following parts of the route Magnus rode the day he was killed. Riders will be stopping for a memorial activity at the site where Magnus was struck, and then return to the university for a rally calling for change. The cycling route spans 13.5 miles and features minimal elevation change. Additionally, for those nationwide wishing to join, a virtual ride option will be available. There will be a walking route around the CU Boulder campus, with details to be announced soon.

Proceeds from the ride will help The White Line Foundation, which Magnus’s parents formed after his son’s death, to honor Magnus’ legacy by advocating for the safety of all vulnerable road users and serving as a new voice for change.

The ride’s supporters include “It Could Be Me”, a non-profit advocacy organization founded in 2019 by Triny Willerton, an elite triathlete who was nearly killed by a careless driver in Boulder County, and “Ride for Your Life”, a movement created by Dan Langenkamp to advocate for road safety after his wife Sarah was killed while biking in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2022. Langenkamp held Washington, D.C.’s largest ever advocacy ride after Sarah’s death, helping win Congressional support for $44 million in funds for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program.

Additional supporters include Trek Bicycles, USA Cycling, and Heavy Lifting Design.

Ride Details: Riders will depart at 10 am at Farrand Field on the CU Boulder Campus, following a slow-roll route along Folsom to Jay Road, and then on to Colorado State Highway 119 (CO 119), leading to the site where Magnus was killed. Here, they will hold a special memorial activity in his honor. The entire westbound lanes of CO 119 will be closed to vehicle traffic, ensuring a safe journey for all participants. Riders will then return to Farrand Field for a rally. This gathering will introduce legislative efforts spearheaded by The White Line and include a strong call to action in support of these initiatives.

REGISTER FOR THE RIDE FOR MAGNUS HERE

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ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF THE “LIVES WORTH REMEMBERING” FILM SERIES

“Lives Worth Remembering: Christian and Michelle Deaton” is the first episode in the new ‘Lives Worth Remembering’ film series produced by The White Line.

Christian and Michelle Deaton, from Portland, Oregon, both died on Oct 17, 2023, when they were struck from behind by lumber sliding off the back of a passing flatbed truck while they were biking through the scenic wine country of Napa, California.

Christian and Michelle shared an inseparable connection, embodying love, kindness, happiness, adventure, athleticism, achievement, and an enduring passion for life throughout their 21 years of marriage. The shared love for their faith gave them the ability to live with so much love and joy with their family and friends.

About the film series: Victims and their families of road violence are often forgotten as soon as the news cycle is over. The Lives Worth Remembering film series highlights stories of cyclists and other vulnerable road users killed while obeying traffic laws. Each episode features a family affected by vehicular violence, urging viewers to consider the broader implications for road safety policies and driver culture. The series underscores the urgent need for political action and addresses the societal failures that contribute to these tragedies. We believe we can create political and societal change by harnessing the power of human empathy and highlighting the true impact of loss.

WATCH ‘LIVES WORTH REMEMBERING: CHRISTIAN AND MICHELLE DEATON’

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The White Line held its first fundraising dinner on May 3, 2024. The ‘New Voice’ event raised essential funds to support The White Line and its initiatives, keeping Magnus’s dream alive, being a voice for those taken, and serving as a new voice for change.

The evening unfolded with a cocktail hour at 7 p.m., followed by dinner. The White Line was privileged to welcome Daniel Langenkamp, Spokesperson for the European Bureau at the US Department of State and Founder of Ride for Your Life, as our Guest Speaker. Attendees viewed a screening of the premiere episode of the Lives Worth Remembering Film Series, featuring Christian and Michelle Deaton, ahead of its public release.

“The initial funding from Magnus’s GoFundMe was instrumental in establishing the foundation,” said Michael White, the father of Magnus, speaking about the organization’s commitment. Our challenge now is to raise critical funds to further establish The White Line – as a voice for lives taken and a new voice for change.”

DOWNLOAD IMAGES OF THE DINNER HERE

The White Line is a non-profit organization currently under review for IRS status, with fiscal sponsorship from University Impact, a 501(c)(3) entity. We are dedicated to preserving and honoring the legacy of US National Team Member and US National Champion, Magnus White. By celebrating his memory, we aim to inspire cyclists around the world, and pay tribute to lives taken too soon. We are dedicated to advocating for the safety of all vulnerable road users and to be a new voice towards creating safer road environments.

Learn more at thewhiteline.org

Media Contact:

Lisa Munro

lisa.munro@thewhiteline.org

‪(720) 310-0638‬