ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – He was a man who impacted thousands of people in New Mexico with his love for bicycling and the outdoors. Saturday, those close to him came together to celebrate the life of Chuck Malagodi, following his death in a hit-and-run crash last Sunday. "Chuck was an amazing person," said Ashely Aceves, a long-time friend of Malagodi's. More than 200 bicyclists gathered at Balloon Fiesta Park this weekend, riding off on a 10-mile ride in memory of Malagodi to kick off his memorial service. "That speaks to his impact in the community," said Mike Lucero, a close friend and colleague of Malagodi's. Chuck Malagodi was a pillar in the bicycling community, working for the city's Park and Recreation Department for several years. That's where Ashley Aceves, a former employee and close friend of Malagodi's, met him. "Every day, he'd come down the hall riding his bike, pushing it into the office, and he had this infectious smile on his face," Aceves said. City of Albuquerque plans to expand bike program Malagodi's passion for the outdoors led him to develop an outdoor recreation program for the city, as well as create a safe cycling curriculum for kids in elementary and middle school. He also founded the Esperanza Community Bike Shop in Albuquerque, one of his biggest accomplishments. "Esparanza was his dream, and he wanted a place where people could come, learn the skills to service bikes so that he could get people out on the road safely," Aceves explained. Malagodi was a board member of Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) New Mexico, an organization that works to provide free bicycles to children. "He was just a very gentle leader," Lucero said, Lead Technician for FB4K New Mexico. Local nonprofit collects bikes for New Mexico’s youth Malagodi leaves behind a legacy of compassion, love for his community, and passion for the outdoors and cycling. A ghost bike, an all-white painted bicycle with Malagodi's name written on it, was created in his memory. The ghost bike is expected to be installed near the intersection of Kathryn and Carlisle Tuesday afternoon.