Didn't find anything in a search so here goes. I have no special story, just wondering the other day on a ride what the consensus was. Is it disrespectful to ride through a cemetery? I'm talking more about the big ones with a few miles of roads, not really the small rural ones.
Disrepectful to ride through a cemetery?
60driver
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For me it's not about respect for the dead. Rather, respect for loved ones visiting. Regardless of what I may think or believe, I want to respect their beliefs, and their quiet time with their departed loved one. I'd rather not be a distraction. Cars are expected, and probably not noticed too much. Probably assumed to be other mourners/visitors. Unless the place is frequented by cyclists, I guess I would consider myself a distraction or intrusion. The question was sort of tongue in cheek, but I guess if I ran into a service, I'd discretely turn around.
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^this^
I don't care about the dead - they're dead. As an atheist, I'm surprised I'm in the minority on this topic - I don't think a cemetery should be a place to go for a bike ride. Out of respect for the mourning, I'd rather take my chances out on the streets... even if means I could end up IN the cemetery sooner. The mourners didn't bury their loved ones in your playground. Don't play in their graveyard.
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If they're the undead it'd probably be wise to be carrying a shovel or some such club-like implement.Is the cemetary full of dead-dead people? Or undead-dead people?
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The cemetery where I would like to be buried has some nice roads with some decent pitches to them. I often bike through it to visit my parents grave. Also the local mountain bike course runs right along the edge of it for quite a ways. I'd love to think of people biking right next to my grave, heck I'd be tickled if someone could bunny hop my grave site
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That's why I was asking. My tool bag isn't big enough for a shovel or anything heavy...and I don't think my tire tools will be heavy enough to do any damage to their already rotting heads.
And for what it's worth, I voted "No" to it being disrespectful. A lot of people walk in the most well-known/historic cemeteries here in Chattanooga. So what's the difference in riding and walking? Again, as several others have already mentioned...just be mindful of where you are.
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There used to be a yearly ride just before Halloween that went through some cemeteries in Seattle. A group of 20 to 30 cyclists, some in costumes. I did it twice and felt uncomfortable each time. People were there visiting their departed and we come through just having fun. To me it was as if we were riding through someones church. I think it's ok if you are by yourself though.
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Mt. Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY
City of Rochester Cemeteries web site
Friends of Mt. Hope
Wikipedia
In short, it was opened in 1838, covers 196 acres, has 350,000 graves and 14 miles of roads. It borders the University of Rochester's River Campus on two sides, the University Medical Center on a third, and a city park on the fourth. I cut through the park, the cemetery, then through the campus on my way to work.
FWIW, I own a plot in the other city-owned cemetery, Riverside, but am thinking of trading it in for one in Mt. Hope. I'd be leaving the family, but it's a cemetery I like and that cyclists like.
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Nunchucks fit nicely in jersey pocket!:blush2:That's why I was asking. My tool bag isn't big enough for a shovel or anything heavy...and I don't think my tire tools will be heavy enough to do any damage to their already rotting heads.
I occasionally ride the local cemeteries and look for the oldest date then try to find my way back there the next time
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No, I don't see riding through a cemetery when there are no funeral services being held as being disrespectful. Remember, a grave is not just a resting place it's also a memorial of someone's life.
There's nothing as sad as an old neglected, forgotten cemetery that's no longer being maintained or visited.
There's nothing as sad as an old neglected, forgotten cemetery that's no longer being maintained or visited.
another reason to where a helmet, to protect from Zombie attacks while riding through cemeteries!
but if I recall there was a crit series run in the Springvale cemetery in Melbourne, Australia a number of years ago. Nice ride quiet roads. I'm not sure how long it lasted or when they stopped
i have found a link to the results and a bit of a blurb on the race (sorry in advance if i brake the rules about links, I am not sure of them)
www.cyclingnews.com - the world centre of cycling
but if I recall there was a crit series run in the Springvale cemetery in Melbourne, Australia a number of years ago. Nice ride quiet roads. I'm not sure how long it lasted or when they stopped
i have found a link to the results and a bit of a blurb on the race (sorry in advance if i brake the rules about links, I am not sure of them)
www.cyclingnews.com - the world centre of cycling
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Agree. Riding through is not an issue. Racing a crit through the grounds.. not so much.
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This place is one of my favorite places to ride to:
Welcome to the Spring Grove Family
It's the second-largest cemetery in the nation, with an arboretum. By no means would I consider it disrespectful to ride through it; it was envisioned from the git-go as a place where people could go to spend a day, remembering their dead, but also picnicking, relaxing, etc., in a much less somber manner.
The local foot racers hold annual charity runs (e.g., "Run Like Hell," a run that occurs Halloween night) in it from time to time.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Other nice shots here: Cemeteries
The cemetery dates to the 1840's, when Cincinnati suffered a cholera epidemic and needed a place to stash the bodies that were piling up. Then, the Civil War really ramped business up; there are forty Union generals buried there, including Fighting Joe Hooker, and one Confederate general, Phil Luckett, as well as regiments of regulars. From there, it became the place to be fashionably interred, its list of burials reading like the Cincinnati Social Register. A wealth of stonemason talent and available limestone and marble ensured that the monuments there would be, well, monumental:
Welcome to the Spring Grove Family
It's the second-largest cemetery in the nation, with an arboretum. By no means would I consider it disrespectful to ride through it; it was envisioned from the git-go as a place where people could go to spend a day, remembering their dead, but also picnicking, relaxing, etc., in a much less somber manner.
The local foot racers hold annual charity runs (e.g., "Run Like Hell," a run that occurs Halloween night) in it from time to time.
Other nice shots here: Cemeteries
The cemetery dates to the 1840's, when Cincinnati suffered a cholera epidemic and needed a place to stash the bodies that were piling up. Then, the Civil War really ramped business up; there are forty Union generals buried there, including Fighting Joe Hooker, and one Confederate general, Phil Luckett, as well as regiments of regulars. From there, it became the place to be fashionably interred, its list of burials reading like the Cincinnati Social Register. A wealth of stonemason talent and available limestone and marble ensured that the monuments there would be, well, monumental:
I don't think the dead care one bit. I would just be concerned about disturbing anyone who needs some peace and quiet. There are lots of places one can get their training ride done. There is only one place someone can visit a deceased relative or friend.
So I wouldn't have a problem riding through it at an easy pace if it was on my route or in my way, but I don't think I'd make it a destination or treat it like a park to get a workout done. Unless it were one of those cool old cemeteries like in some of the pictures, which look fun to explore on a bike.
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I happened to ride through a cemetery today. I saw 4 people walking their dogs. I suspect the dogs did things to the graves that I didn't do.
uh both and we are the "walking dead"Is the cemetary full of dead-dead people? Or undead-dead people?
Here in Toronto we have an uptown cemetery which gets treated a lot like a park.
When I visit there are usually riders and runners using the grounds. Mind you it is huge and stretches across a couple major streets both north and south.
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That looks like an awesome place to ride, and I love the photos Bruce!!!
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