Riding for Ryan

Hundreds of cyclists will ride into downtown Burlingame on Sunday for the Burlingame Criterium on bikes of all shapes and sizes. One big group or riders — about 600 or 700 — is expected to race through the course on tricycles, two-wheelers and training wheels.

These racers ages 12 and under will be participating in the Eight Annual Ryan Phua Memorial Kids' Ride, a bike ride in memory of Ryan Phua, who died at 2 years old from Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, or SUDC.

“After his passing, I thought the simple joy of riding a bike is one way to try to do something to keep his memory alive,” said John Phua, Ryan’s father.

Ryan and his twin brother Matthew were born shortly after Phua recovered from cancer.

“Unfortunately, our family was hit with another tragedy in 2003 when we lost Ryan,” he said.

Phua, of San Mateo, is also a cyclist and a member of the Peninsula Velo Cycling Club. After Ryan’s passing, the team came together to find a way to memorialize Ryan. There was already a children’s ride as part of the Criterium, but Ryan’s parents, John and his wife Michele Phua, worked to give it meaning.

Now known as Ryan’s Ride, the race's participants raise money for the Ryan Phua Memorial Fund, established through the Livestrong Foundation. The proceeds go towards cancer programs in the Bay Area, as well as the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation. Since the race’s inception, Ryan’s Fund has raised $420,000 for cancer programs.

“It’s more than just a bike race in downtown,” Phua said. “It’s really great to just connect and see all the families out there with their kids.”

Phua said he loves the happiness on the faces of the children as they ride and all the families that have become part of the Criterium and Ryan’s Ride community over the years.

Phua said a lot of the riders come with their own stories, and he and his wife get letters from children riding in memory of grandparents and other loved ones lost to cancer.

“One family had lost their son to cancer,” he said. “And the sister was there riding and raising money in his memory.”

Like that girl, Matthew participates in the ride each year. He is now 10 years old and rides along the course with his friends.

“They know they’re riding with him and for his brother,” Phua said.

The ride works in three age groups: Five and under riders do about a block, five to eight do one lap and nine to 12 take two laps. Phua said it’s fun over the years to watch as the children progress from tricycles to training wheels.

“You just see the enjoyment in the kids’ faces,” he said. “You just see theses kids and just the spirit of Ryan.”

For more information, visit www.ryansride.org or facebook.com/ryansride.

Sign in for the race begins at 9:30 a.m., with riders pushing off from the starting line at 10:20 a.m. All participants receive a medal and ice cream.