We are in the process of laying out a day-to-day schedule for the ride and we have hit a snag -- how to get around Manhattan. The ride is going to hug the coast into New Jersey and my brother lives due south of the city. If I follow the route laid out by the Adventure Cycling, it would add hills and a couple of days. I'm allergic to hills.
One suggestion is to take a ferry into Manhattan from the area where Bruce lives and then ride the Hudson River Greenway, which looks good. But getting from the George Washington Bridge where the greenway ends to Connecticut across the Bronx appears to be the big challenge.
Anyone who knows the area and can advise, please send in your comments.
Thanks
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Key Biscayne
Had a chance to ride with Bruce on Wednesday and he did great for the 28 miles we did, including two trips over the bridge on KeyBiscayne. Glad I don't ride there during the week too often because the traffic was heavy. Probably because of the tennis event going on but car were zipping past us.
Bruce is also helping me figure out a way to get around New York City on the ride in June. In fact one option is not going around, but going through. Waiting to hear from the NYC cycling club as for suggestions.
Bruce is also helping me figure out a way to get around New York City on the ride in June. In fact one option is not going around, but going through. Waiting to hear from the NYC cycling club as for suggestions.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The First 100 Isn't Bad
The day started out calm and cool. The speed was good as the lead pack tore away from the starting area and kept a crisp pace of 23-25 for the first hour. The Everglades Ride was underway this morning at 7:30 and for the first 30 miles, I was able to average more than 20 mph. with a top speed of 25 as the group had a long straightaway and opened the throttle a bit.
But by 10 when the winds started to pick up from the west and our ride headed west toward the Cheika portion of the Everglades, I was drifting alone at 12 wondering where everyone went?
But the last 50 miles was with a group of about 12 from the leukemia association down here and we pulled in at the finish line after a riding time of 6 hours and 20 minutes. It was a radio station distance. You know, 102.2 on your dial? That was the official mileage and only the third time I have eclipsed 100 miles in one ride.
To say I am numb from the waist down is an understatement. My shoulders are surprisingly not as sore as I thought they would be but my legs are dead. And so is my a-- , rear end.
Probably have another century this Saturday as I might meet some riders heading to the keys from Sebring and I might ride with them to Key Largo.
But I am excited about riding with my brother who is coming into town Monday afternoon only for a couple of days.
But by 10 when the winds started to pick up from the west and our ride headed west toward the Cheika portion of the Everglades, I was drifting alone at 12 wondering where everyone went?
But the last 50 miles was with a group of about 12 from the leukemia association down here and we pulled in at the finish line after a riding time of 6 hours and 20 minutes. It was a radio station distance. You know, 102.2 on your dial? That was the official mileage and only the third time I have eclipsed 100 miles in one ride.
To say I am numb from the waist down is an understatement. My shoulders are surprisingly not as sore as I thought they would be but my legs are dead. And so is my a-- , rear end.
Probably have another century this Saturday as I might meet some riders heading to the keys from Sebring and I might ride with them to Key Largo.
But I am excited about riding with my brother who is coming into town Monday afternoon only for a couple of days.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
A Special Package Arrived
Had a chance to do a quick 32 miles this morning in heavy winds and a short shower down by Mt. Trashmore (the highest point in South Florida; for those who don't know, this is the garbage dump). But the news of the day was the package I received from Pam this afternoon. First of all, my bud Roy was a clothes horse and while he didn't ride his bicycle as much as he would have liked, he was always dressed for the part. So, I now have 4 bright (did I say BRIGHT) biking jerseys to go along with the dozen or so I have gathered over the years. In fact I think I have more biking jerseys now than golf polos. Pam also told me that Roy wanted me to have his Homer Simpson watch which is the most annoying watch you can wear. On the hour, it chimes, "are we there yet, are we there yet, etc., etc., etc." And I thought I had already drained all of the water out of my eyes.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
An Offer You Can't Refuse
Pam forwarded this message from one of her friends today and I must tell you, this is an offer you can't refuse. Ann Glynn wrote saying, "Torn Retina Productions will mail a fine jewelry piece to the first 25 people who donate $100.00 or more by ride day one."
Thank you Ann!!
The outpouring of support from friends and family is putting me close to overload. Thank you everyone who has become a "follower", donated to the cause and has passed the word to their friends about the June ride.
I am confident we are going to exceed our financial goal thanks to you.
Stay tuned in April for new sponsorship levels which are very interesting.
Thank you Ann!!
The outpouring of support from friends and family is putting me close to overload. Thank you everyone who has become a "follower", donated to the cause and has passed the word to their friends about the June ride.
I am confident we are going to exceed our financial goal thanks to you.
Stay tuned in April for new sponsorship levels which are very interesting.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Over $1K
Thank you to all of those who have sent in donations because this past weekend we surpassed the $1,000 mark with the ride still some 3 months away.
I have written to a lot of folks asking to be a "follower" of this blog because it will help us in the long run to secure more sponsorships. It is easy to join -- just click on the button to the right here.
This Sunday will give me an accurate gauge as to where I am in my training because I have entered the annual Everglades Bicycling Club century ride which starts down in Homestead. Coupled with my hours on the trainer indoors and the Saturday ride of 55 plus, I should be close to 250 miles for this week after the century.
On behalf of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, my friend Pam and myself, thank you for your support.
I have written to a lot of folks asking to be a "follower" of this blog because it will help us in the long run to secure more sponsorships. It is easy to join -- just click on the button to the right here.
This Sunday will give me an accurate gauge as to where I am in my training because I have entered the annual Everglades Bicycling Club century ride which starts down in Homestead. Coupled with my hours on the trainer indoors and the Saturday ride of 55 plus, I should be close to 250 miles for this week after the century.
On behalf of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, my friend Pam and myself, thank you for your support.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Unexpected Surge of Donations
On my donations page, in less than a week since Roy passed, we have reached 5% of our fundraising goal and I am extremely pleased with the outpouring of support both financially and emotionally from my friends and Roy's friends.
Just this week, we have added 15 followers to this blog and I have to say thank you to those who are on board as followers. Funny thing, though. I asked my daughter Mindy to sign up as a "follower" and she said no way am I going to be a follower. "I'm a leader."
She signed up. And she is a leader. Hoping her schedule in June allows her to accompany us on the trip. Should be fun.
Took a couple of days off from riding but will be back on the bike the next four straight hoping to finish 200 miles.
Not recovering as quickly as I was hoping but training will get me there.
Just this week, we have added 15 followers to this blog and I have to say thank you to those who are on board as followers. Funny thing, though. I asked my daughter Mindy to sign up as a "follower" and she said no way am I going to be a follower. "I'm a leader."
She signed up. And she is a leader. Hoping her schedule in June allows her to accompany us on the trip. Should be fun.
Took a couple of days off from riding but will be back on the bike the next four straight hoping to finish 200 miles.
Not recovering as quickly as I was hoping but training will get me there.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Do You Know The Way?
Got an email late last night from my friend Bob who asked if I had details of the ride as yet. You know, things like how fast are you going to ride, how many miles per day, etc. My response was simple -- What details? This is simple. I ride. I eat. I sleep. Repeat. Daily. Until you see the sign that says Welcome to Maine.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Miles Are Building
Pam told me the other day that Roy would like people to donate to my bike ride rather than send flowers which is nice because Roy knows how dedicated I am to doing this trip in June. Contributions can be made to
His passing has convinced me that I can not back out so I am picking up the miles. Sitting here early Monday morning I am kind of glad it is windy and rainy now because after 100-plus miles total on the weekend, my shoulders are a bit sore and my legs need a break. For the week, I was close to 200 which is good.
Have a couple of sponsors on board now as well -- Gu, the energy gel runners and riders use, is sending me enough packets for the journey and Adventure Cycling has my maps enroute.
April and May are busy months for our business but I will find time to get in my miles. My friend Bob has loaned me his trainer and I have my old bike hooked up to it already.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
A Day to Remember
As I write this on the afternoon of the 10th of March, it is after learning this morning that my bud Roy Gross died at 11:30 last night.
Roy was fighting multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, for close to a year and his body said enough was enough. When his liver started to fail, it was just a matter of time before his entire body shut down. He was not in pain when he passed.
Roy and I have been friends since about 1986 and he joined our ski group for the first time in 1988 on a trip to Lake Tahoe. He wasn't sure if he and wife Pam would fit in so he decided to rent a condo on the lake while the three other families rented a five bedroom house down the street from the lifts. Not only did they fit in, they joined us on ski trips for the next half dozen years, even after they moved from Miami to Idaho.
It was their call around thanksgiving of 1988 that asked Bobbie and myself if we wanted to join them on a trip to Innsbruck, Austria at Christmas time. We had never been to Europe and we jumped at the opportunity.
From there, the four of us travelled often together.
Roy was a great friend and always complimented me on working hard on whatever business venture I was involved in. His passing leaves a huge void not only in my life but in the lives of those he was always around.
Roy was fighting multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, for close to a year and his body said enough was enough. When his liver started to fail, it was just a matter of time before his entire body shut down. He was not in pain when he passed.
Roy and I have been friends since about 1986 and he joined our ski group for the first time in 1988 on a trip to Lake Tahoe. He wasn't sure if he and wife Pam would fit in so he decided to rent a condo on the lake while the three other families rented a five bedroom house down the street from the lifts. Not only did they fit in, they joined us on ski trips for the next half dozen years, even after they moved from Miami to Idaho.
It was their call around thanksgiving of 1988 that asked Bobbie and myself if we wanted to join them on a trip to Innsbruck, Austria at Christmas time. We had never been to Europe and we jumped at the opportunity.
From there, the four of us travelled often together.
Roy was a great friend and always complimented me on working hard on whatever business venture I was involved in. His passing leaves a huge void not only in my life but in the lives of those he was always around.
Friday, March 9, 2012
March UpDate
March 9, 2012
A lot has happened since my last post. A new bike, a new friend and some help with logistics.
Let's start with the bike.
Back in February, my friend Joe and I stopped at the usual La Carretta restaurant in Key Biscayne for a 15 minute break. During the stop, Joe overheard a guy speaking in Spanish about wanting to sell his bike. It was a Rosetti, about $1300 for the frame alone. He told me the size of the frame and it was my size. Three hours later, we were at the guy's house and for $800 I had a new carbon fiber bike with racing wheels (about $400 for the pair). So far, in about a month, I have about 800 miles on it.
The lady who was going to ride with me developed pneumonia in February and lost time at work. Thus she is not going on the ride. It looks like it is me riding and Bobbie driving.
The best news is that the multiple myeloma foundation in Norwalk, Cn., has become a new friend and is helping me with the planning and connections. Alicia and Betsy are my new BFFs.
My schedule appears to be a bit behind as I want to be able to finish 300 miles a week by the end of March. This week alone I will probably ride about 190 but I have a century scheduled the last Sunday of the month.
For now, keep hoping and praying that Roy will get better.
A lot has happened since my last post. A new bike, a new friend and some help with logistics.
Let's start with the bike.
Back in February, my friend Joe and I stopped at the usual La Carretta restaurant in Key Biscayne for a 15 minute break. During the stop, Joe overheard a guy speaking in Spanish about wanting to sell his bike. It was a Rosetti, about $1300 for the frame alone. He told me the size of the frame and it was my size. Three hours later, we were at the guy's house and for $800 I had a new carbon fiber bike with racing wheels (about $400 for the pair). So far, in about a month, I have about 800 miles on it.
The lady who was going to ride with me developed pneumonia in February and lost time at work. Thus she is not going on the ride. It looks like it is me riding and Bobbie driving.
The best news is that the multiple myeloma foundation in Norwalk, Cn., has become a new friend and is helping me with the planning and connections. Alicia and Betsy are my new BFFs.
My schedule appears to be a bit behind as I want to be able to finish 300 miles a week by the end of March. This week alone I will probably ride about 190 but I have a century scheduled the last Sunday of the month.
For now, keep hoping and praying that Roy will get better.
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