A U.S. cyclist who pedaled across 50-plus countries for peace and charity was run over and killed in Russia by a drunken truck driver, ITAR-Tass news agency said Friday.
Ron McGerity, 61, was the victim of a hit-and-run driver on a federal highway from Kostroma to Ivanovo in central Russia, the agency said, citing Ivanovo police.
The driver, whose name was withheld, was soon apprehended by traffic police, who allege he was drunk.
McGerity arrived in Russia planning to tour all of the Golden Ring — a set of ancient towns surrounding Moscow, all popular tourist destinations full of historical and architectural landmarks — on his custom-made Swiss bike.
The Boston native had been staging cycling expeditions to promote peace and raise money for various charities since 1995.
He had toured four continents in that time, visiting countries as diverse as Canada, Egypt, Israel, France, Japan and Norway.
The most recent photo on his Facebook page, BikerOnTheRoad, is dated Tuesday and shows McGerity kicking back on his bike in front of the Lenin Mausoleum on Moscow's Red Square.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
