After Biking 100 Miles

I wrote this right after the ride:

Today was the big day.

I was up about an hour before dawn, getting myself fed and dressed. It was wet outside, but the rain had stopped. We got down to Stewart Park with plenty of time for someone to come along and tear the stub off of the number I wore on my back all day, which is all that had to happen before opening ceremonies. A lady who is HIV+ spoke briefly to thank us all, some other people spoke with pretty much the same purpose. They did the symbolic rider-less bike thingy, and we were on our way.

The weather was just how you'd want it. About 70 degrees and overcast the whole day, but the rain held off. I wore spf 45 sunscreen, but still got a little tanned. I met new people, some of whom turned out to be friends of friends. There was a group of about 15 of us who seemed to pace with each other pretty well. I'd pass them, they'd pass me - we leap-frogged like that the whole way.

One of the highlights of the trip was the Interlaken Creamery. They have the best ice cream I've ever eaten, and though it wasn't one of our official pit stops, it was one of mine. Another highlight was this lady who'd made signs that said things like, "You're doing great!" and "Keep on spinning!" and "You're our hero!" About 2-3 miles after every pit stop, she'd be there, holding up one of her signs. And of course, there are the students from the Finger Lakes Massage School, who give us free massages at lunch and at the end.

~400 bikers on the road, and I didn't hear about any accidents, and only once where it was close. (I did see lots of bikes in SAG wagons though, and it seemed like I saw many many people with flats.)

My friends and family helped me raise a total of $600 this year; I couldn't have done it without you. The first time I did the ride, I raised about $400, and I didn't get back to Cass park (the end point) until about 4:45. This year, I was there about 3:15. We left Stewart Park around 7:00, so that's just over 8 hours, including 5 pit stops, one of which was lunch.

I'm not into that campy junk that they do at the end of these things: If you're riding in a team, raise your hand, and they all raise hands and people cheer and clap; If you're wearing purple socks, raise your hand, and they all raise hands and people cheer and clap). So anyway, I just went home. And that means that I don't know yet how much total money was raised.

Thanks to everyone who supported me in this year's ride - 100 miles closer to a cure.
And now, though it's only 8:30pm, I think I'll go to bed.


~.~


I did however learn that someone died doing the ride. He was a young, fit guy who'd trained for it, and just collapsed ~10 miles in.