Carlsbad memorial for fallen cyclist Eric Ringdahl

About 50 cyclists gathered in south Clairemont on May 15 for a ten-mile “ride of silence.” It was the second memorial ride held this month to honor Eric Ringdahl, 45, who was killed April 21 on El Camino Real, north of La Costa Avenue in Carlsbad. (The May 11 ride of silence included an estimated 200 bicyclists.)

Ringdahl had been traveling northbound in the bike lane with another cyclist when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the same direction. He died at the scene.

According to various reports, the car driver fell asleep at the wheel after working the night shift as a nurse. Carlsbad police spokeswoman Jodee Sasway said the case has been turned over to the district attorney, who will decide whether or not to file charges.

Ringdahl was an avid outdoorsman, husband, and father of three young children. Family and friends are still delivering flowers and photos at a memorial set up in front of La Costa Resort & Spa, near the accident site. An all-white “ghost bike” is tied to a pole on a grassy are.

“His friends — young, gorgeous dads — all got together and painted the bike,” said Elizabeth Sugarman, a friend of Ringdahl’s wife.

Ten years ago, the first roadside memorial ghost bike was created in St. Louis, Missouri, according to ghostbikes.org.