We successfully completed our trip on Tuesday as we arrived at the Church Center in NYC to a rousing welcome. It was exciting riding across the George Washington Bridge and then navigating the busy streets of NYC to our destination. We even worked in a ride through Central Park.
Everyone was in high spirits as we approached the center, but we still had one more challenge to overcome. Kelly's bike had a major mechanical failure two blocks from the center which caused her to fall. Her handlebars literally broke away from her bike making it impossible to ride. So after crossing over 4000 miles, she lost her wheels. She was very lucky not to be injured.
But just as we conquered every other challenge we overcame this one as well. I gave my bike to Kelly to ride across the line and I walked her bike the last two blocks. It was only appropriate that she have the honor of leading us in.
We enjoyed a very nice reception at the center which was attended by the Presiding Bishop. The ERD staff wrote a song for the occasion and there were plenty of cameras and a TV camera. After all the interviews and congratulations, we loaded our bikes on to the Prius and drove back to Christ Church Hackensack to load up to head home.
Steve, Michael, Daniel and I jumped in a rental car about 4 PM and drove back to Ohio. I am writing this from the screened porch at home after a good night's sleep in my own bed. I must admit, I it was pretty nice.
I was told there will be a copy of the video of our arrival on the Episcopal News Service website, but I have not had time to check it out.
I am very glad to have been a part of this life saving fund event. Thank you for all your support and interest. I am already looking forward to our next adventure.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
We are almost there!
I apologize once again for not keeping up with the blog, but given the riding schedules, etc. it has been hard to find time.
Since my last entry, we have already crossed Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and PA. and are now near the border of New Jersey. We will stop this evening just across the river from Manhattan and make our triumphant entrance into the city across the George Washington Bridge tomorrow morning (Tues).
Carl and I have had quite a few great rides over the last couple of days. We did most of Illinois taking the team to the Indiana border. We drew a great shift in Ohio as we rode about 100 miles on a bike path from Cincinnati to London. It was clearly the easiest ride of the trip.
However, Pennsylvania has been a little more dramatic. Just as we started our riding shift in New Castle, Carl had a mishap with a car. First and foremost, Carl is fine and was not injured at all. A car made a left hand turn into a parking lot just as Carl was passing going the opposite direction. The car hit Carl's front wheel and destroyed the wheel. It is amazing what he will do to make me ride more miles!!
Carl, Mark and I stayed behind to meet with the police as the other riders moved on. I am sure there will be more to the story before it is all over.
Since my last entry, we have already crossed Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and PA. and are now near the border of New Jersey. We will stop this evening just across the river from Manhattan and make our triumphant entrance into the city across the George Washington Bridge tomorrow morning (Tues).
Carl and I have had quite a few great rides over the last couple of days. We did most of Illinois taking the team to the Indiana border. We drew a great shift in Ohio as we rode about 100 miles on a bike path from Cincinnati to London. It was clearly the easiest ride of the trip.
However, Pennsylvania has been a little more dramatic. Just as we started our riding shift in New Castle, Carl had a mishap with a car. First and foremost, Carl is fine and was not injured at all. A car made a left hand turn into a parking lot just as Carl was passing going the opposite direction. The car hit Carl's front wheel and destroyed the wheel. It is amazing what he will do to make me ride more miles!!
Carl, Mark and I stayed behind to meet with the police as the other riders moved on. I am sure there will be more to the story before it is all over.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
It is important to ride FAST
Things can get very dangerous out here if you don't ride as fast as you can!!
Newton Boys Part II
Here are a couple of picture so of the Newton Boys I mentioned in an earlier blog entry. We should have taken a picture of the policeman who stopped to check on us, but we were too busy sweet talking our way out of a ticket because we had a headlamp out on the Prius.
Illinois was ours
Carl and I rode through most of Illinois late yesterday. Steve and Kelly entered the state in the west before handing off to us. Since we were crossing at the southern end of the state, Carl and I thought we could make it all the way across during our shift. We rode hard for our five hours and Carl finished it off by crossing the bridge into Indiana about 20 after 10 last night.
The roads in Illinois were pretty good, but I must admit I would prefer the rolling hills of Missouri to the flat roads of Illinois. They are a lot more fun and breaks up the monotony of just spinning away all day.
We should enter Ohio later today (Saturday)!!
The roads in Illinois were pretty good, but I must admit I would prefer the rolling hills of Missouri to the flat roads of Illinois. They are a lot more fun and breaks up the monotony of just spinning away all day.
We should enter Ohio later today (Saturday)!!
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