DETROIT – Close to 50 people will pedal the pavement in the third annual Wayne State Baroudeur Race in Detroit, which raises money for student scholarships.
For now it's only practice, but the avid cyclists on Team 128 are gearing up to ride for the special cause.
"Officer (Collin) Rose wore badge No. 128," said Tom Dijulio, who is riding for the Sgt. Rose scholarship.
Cyclists are hoping to break records when they ride for Rose. Each cyclist pledged $128. The money will go toward the Collin Rose scholarship.
"There's a police escort the whole 100 miles," Dijulio said.
Last fall while on Wayne State's campus, someone hit Dijulio while he was riding his bicycle. The officer who responded to the scene was Sgt. Rose, which is how Dijulio came up with the idea for the ride.
"The driver left the scene," Dijulio said. "If it hadn't been for Officer Rose quickly tracking her down, she would have never been found or charged."
Rose was gunned down in November while helping someone just off campus.
"Unfortunately I never got a chance to thank him," Dijulio said. "He was killed in the line of duty."
The ride is Dijulio's way of honoring Rose's legacy. Rose was also an avid bicyclist.
"After a 50-mile ride, he proposed to his girlfriend," Dijulio said. "He was someone we all feel like we knew."
That's why so many people jumped on board Team 128.
"It's a good cause," Dijulio said. "It's the right thing to do."
It's the third year for the ride, but riding for Rose will be even more meaningful, the cyclists said.
You can learn more about the event by clicking here and can donate to the Collin Rose Memorial Scholarship here.