Thousands Bike The Drive, But Somber Tone As Rider Dies
By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on May 31, 2010 4:00PM
Up to 20,000 bicyclists took to Lake Shore Drive yesterday morning for the annual Bike The Drive event and were greeted by beautiful, warm weather. But the event was marred by the death of a rider, identified as Larry Williams, 54, of Dolton. Witnesses say Williams fell off of his bike around the 2300 block of North Lake Shore Drive around 8 a.m. yesterday morning. Volunteers and fellow bikers responded, calling 911, and Williams was transported to Northwestern Memorial where he was pronounced dead. While the official cause of death won't be known until an autopsy is performed later today, reports indicate that Williams suffered a heart attack. Bike the Drive spokesperson Margo O'Hara said, "Every year we work to ensure all riders' safety during our events. We are very sad to hear of the death and we send our thoughts and condolences to the family."