CAPE MAY POINT- Mark Jacopec likes circles whether it involves drums or bicycle rides. On April 7 at 1 p.m., he will lead a sort of merry-go-round bike ride around the circle here as a fundraiser for suicide awareness.
He has entitled the event a “Flash Ride for Hope Matters.” Participants can join other bicyclists for laps around the circle.
“I really like riding around the circle with people because you if you want to ride, you are never far away from the person behind you,” said Jacopec. “You’re always riding with someone, it’s like being on a merry-go-round.”
While the event is scheduled from 1-3 p.m., he said participants don’t have to arrive at 1 and ride for two hours April 7. Jacopec said riders can stop any time they wish since they will be riding around the circle which measures two-tenths of a mile. Five trips around the circle equals one mile, he said.
All type of bikes are welcomed.
Jacopec lost a friend and his brother and sister to suicide within the last 14 months.
“It’s an issue that’s really dear to my heart,” he said.
He became involved with Hope Matters, an organization that holds an informal suicide survivors’ group weekly. Hope Matters also is developing information police can make available to family members when they arrive at the scene of a suicide or visit a family to tell them their loved one has died by suicide.
Jacopec said Cape May County leads the state per capita in suicides.
“People come here to commit suicide,” said Jacopec.
He is suggesting a $10 donation to Hope Matters for ride participants.
The term “flash ride” borrows from the concept of flash mobs where a group gathers in a public place to dance or protest something on short notice notified by a text or Facebook message. Jacopec said he may organize a flash ride on a nice summer evening. He said he hopes to have a flash ride each month during the summer.
Jacopec is no stranger to bike rides. He logged 10,000 miles on his bicycle last year just riding on Cape Island. He rides twice a day, every day, averaging about 30 miles around the island.
He tracks all his rides with GPS. Jacopec rides a fixed gear bike which means he never coasts.
“I pedal every single mile,” said Jacopec.
In the busy summer season, his morning rides begin 20 minutes before sunrise to avoid heavy car traffic on Cape Island.
Jacopec had a long career leading drum circles for corporate executives throughout America. Drum circles gather people together with drums and percussion instruments to garner cooperation and a group consciousness. He also led local drum circles at the Cape May Jazz Festival and a monthly get together at the former Higher Grounds Café in West Cape May.
“I’m transferring my energy from drum circles to bikes and bringing people together that way,” said Jacopec.
He is also teaches Yoga at Atlantic City High School and at Balance Pilates and Yoga Studio in West Cape May. Jacopec said he is committed to making people healthier and happier with suicide prevention, bikes rides and Yoga.
Jacopec will launch a business to offer customized bike tours of Cape Island this summer.
“I want to do some cutting-edge type rides,” he said.
Jacopec said he wished county bike paths were connected. He said he rides the perimeter of Cape Island and the lack of bike path connections put riders in traffic.
Following the ride around the circle April 7, a party will be held from 3-5 p.m. at the Red Store, (the former Cape May Point General Store).
For more information, see Jacopec’s website: Ridewithmarkcapemay.com
