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12th Annual Escape New York Century |
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Our teammate Doug volunteered over a month ahead for this event. He must have had a hunch why traveling 100 miles on a bicycle can be fun. The New York Cycle Club, known for their friendly group rides that welcome cyclists at every level, organized this century ride to benefit the Recycle-a-Bicycle initiative.
Recycle-a-Bicycle started as a project of Transportation Alternatives 12 years ago and now continues to thrive as an independent organization helping youth learn about bicycles, working in a small business and about the environment.
So it is a great cause - check! Doug told us he will co-lead the fast group - check! and Paul raved about how much fun it was for him last year - check! We just had to experience what this was all about. After looking at home commitments, even if some could not join, our team members planned to come out to see off those that could.
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In our relaxed team atmosphere, waking up at 6 AM on a dark, cold Saturday morning to cheer on your teammates is something done out of pure inclination, so seeing five additional guys come out to do just that was a superb show of teamwork!
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NYCC went all out on this ride with three different ways to travel the West Hudson Highlands for beautiful views of NJ and NY parks and country side. They color coded direction sheets with same color signs posted on turns along the route which made it much easier to navigate. But that was just the beginning.
Every 30 miles there was a full service rest stop with variety of fruits and snacks! Very gracious volunteers helped riders refuel and answer the "how much further?" questions. Our group made great progress, working in pace lines and sharing the effort while having a blast. |
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Doug summed up our experience when he said: "Thanks to everyone for showing up... how great was it to see so many greenbeans out there!... Special thanks to Jack, Jim, and Paul for sticking
with me the entire 100 miles. Very fun and not so easy! We kept a very
respectable pace, with a few stretches that were clearly at tempo
for me. Great workout!
VERY special thanks to Brian, for showing up early at our first rest stop,
shivering while waiting for us, and then shooting some photos when we got there. How many other guys were doing
that???"
We would also like to thank NYCC, the sponsors and volunteers that made it all so pleasurable. |
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As we rolled back into our finish at Sakura Park in NYC, there was a big spread of food (even veggie patties), refreshments and some gifts waiting for us. All in all...the whole excursion was a true escape for the senses with friends and teammates to make those miles fly!
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