Remembering

Honoring a life cycle cut short

by Ben Geman

One of the last and undoubtedly most worthy events in the ongoing Massachusetts Bike Week, which features bicycle-related events around the state, will take place here in Boston. This Sunday, Roxbury's Bikes Not Bombs will honor the late Kahpree Hodge -- who died of meningitis at age 17 in December 1999 -- with a memorial ride that raises money for a Boston English High School scholarship in his name.

Hodge was an activist and an employee of Bikes Not Bombs, a progressive used-bike shop that trains young people in bike repair, promotes bike transit, and ships bikes to developing countries, where they are sold to raise seed money for new bike shops. He began as a student in the Earn-a-Bike program and worked his way up to paid mechanic by age 15. Hodge served on the board of directors of Bikes Not Bombs and was a youth leader at the nonprofit.

Carlos Ortiz, 15, who had Hodge as an instructor when he entered the Earn-a-Bike program at age 13, recalls a patient teacher with a lively presence. Hodge's "laugh attacks," Ortiz says, made quite an impression. "Whenever I needed a friend to talk to, he was there; he would always give advice. Whenever I needed help with school, he would always help me."

"He cared a lot about what happened here," adds Mira Brown, executive director of Bikes Not Bombs. "He was very proud of it. . . . The ride will be a time to remember the different aspects of his life."

The 15-mile ride will pass through places the Roxbury resident "lived, worked, and played," according to Bikes Not Bombs, and will also visit Hodge's grave. The scholarship will benefit students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to their communities. Although riders are collecting pledges, you can also participate by making a donation.

The Kahpree Hodge Memorial Benefit Bicycle Ride begins at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday, May 21. Riders will assemble at 1 p.m. at Bikes Not Bombs, 59 Amory Street, in Roxbury. Call (617) 442-0004.