Ryan’s Ride rolls to a stop: Burlingame community fundraiser to hold final ride for charity June 9

More than a decade later, the once excited calls still linger as motivation for the Phua family to rally around their son’s memory during a charity event which has raised nearly $1 million for the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation and the Livestrong Foundation.

Ryan’s Ride was created in 2004 memorializing Ryan Phua’s death at the age of 2 due to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, which came in the wake of John Phua’s recovery from cancer. The non-competitive, free bike ride for children regularly features hundreds of participants across a variety of age groups.

But after 16 years, Ryan’s father John Phua said the final Ryan’s Ride will be held Sunday, June 9, in Burlingame, marking the end of the road for a celebration of life borne out of tragedy.

“It is bittersweet, because something like this is an honor and memory to your child but it’s a celebration of life,” said John Phua, who organizes the event with his wife Michele and Ryan’s twin Matthew. “As a family, grief takes all forms in its journey. It never leaves you. You just learn to celebrate the aspect of your loved one who has passed away.”

John Phua said the event was initially inspired by the good times shared among his family when he would ride in bicycle races such as the Burlingame Criterium, which used to be linked with Ryan’s Ride and is now on hiatus.

“Everyone remembers the first time they rode a bike. It’s that magical moment when the kids are off and able to spend time with the family. That is something that is cherished,” he said.

But after years of organizing sponsors, volunteers and riders combined with Matthew Phua’s departure to attend college, John Phua said the time has come to put the brakes on the ride.

“We just felt, as a family, it is just time to move on,” he said. “It is moving forward.”

Burlingame Mayor Donna Colson, who will serve as the ceremonial ride starter, expressed her admiration for the event’s legacy in a prepared statement.

“It has been a joyful 16-year ride for Burlingame to host Ryan’s Ride, celebrate his life and support two vitally important community causes,” she said.

There will be no pomp and circumstance noting the end of the event, said John Phua, who hopes the final Ryan’s Ride will be known for what made the event special over the years — families, bikes, good times and celebratory ice cream once the ride is finished.

He said no grand finale is necessary, as the event on its own merits has served as mechanism for improving the community and healing a family.

“It was something that gave us hope, love and gratefulness,” he said.

Registration will remain open for the event through Thursday, June 6. Check-in for will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 9, and the ride will start at 10:30 a.m., in front of the Burlingame Library. Registration is free and awards are offered to the most generous sponsors, while donations are also accepted.

Though the ride is nearing its last stop, John Phua expressed some optimism that another group may take it by the handlebars and establish momentum for another generation of families.

“Maybe someone else will be able to pick it up and carry it forward for their community,” he said, sharing his family’s hope that the future always include more bikes.

Visit ryansride.org to find more information.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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