<p>What a day this Saturday was.</p>
<p>When the original permit was filed for a motorcycle ride from Columbine High School to Platt Canyon High School, it was estimated 50 bikes would participate. It was later amended to “a few hundred.” When my wife and I arrived at Columbine, there were thousands, and the motorcycles kept arriving and arriving and arriving. When it finally did get started, there was a line of motorcycles 40 miles long!</p>
<p>It was known as Emily’s Parade. One thing I did not expect (besides the sheer number of bikes) were the outpouring of support all along the 40-mile ride. People who were stopped by the police as highways were closed for the bikers did not seem that upset. On the contrary, we got waves and peace signs and smiles and applause all the way. The roads seemed lined with people with signs that said “We Luv U Guys,” a reference to Emily’s last text message to her family before she died: “I luv U guys.”</p>
<p>As we approached Bailey, Colorado, the crowds got larger. Many cars were pulled off to the side of the road to let us pass, and the occupants were cheering us on and waving. Bailey is in a beautiful mountain setting and the ride was beautiful. That is, what I could see of it through the constant tears was beautiful.</p>
<p>At Platt Canyon High School, Emily’s father played some of the songs from Emily’s iPod, the Park County Sheriff spoke of his decision to try to save the girls, and someone sang a song. Then we got back onto our bikes for the two and a half hour ride back home through the mountains.</p>
<p><a href=“Choppers roar for slain teen – The Denver Post”>Choppers roar for slain teen – The Denver Post;