DAY 4 Tarrytown NY to NYC!!!

Day 4 Tarrytown NY to NEW YORK CITY!
30ish – a “rest day” yay!

We were all looking forward to this day since we were not starting the bike ride until 0900 (read: sleep in two hours). But, because of logistical issues of riding through New York City with a full police escort and 100 cyclists, we had to drive all of the support vehicles to Manhattan before the ride began. So, instead of waking up two hours later than usual for a 0900 ride start, riders and support staff woke up at 0500 to load all luggage and unload all bikes so that the vehicles could be on the road at 0600 to make it to Manhattan during rush hour and meet the cyclists at the first rest stop. The original plan was to make it to Manhattan and back to Tarrytown to see the cyclists off but traffic did not allow that. So, we had a fun two hours driving into the city with a six vehicle caravan including two very large Penske trucks! Thanks to Hoover from FDNY, we made it quite successfully! We have known Hoover for four years and he is just the ultimate support person. Woohoooo, Hoover! So, we dropped all the support vehicles off at FDNY Station 4 and headed to the park to meet the cyclists for a rest stop. The rest stop was great for the support staff, too, since there was a Dunkin Donuts directly across the street. Ah, the official drink of the National EMS Bike Ride. The 100 calorie granola bar that I conveniently placed in the vehicle for a potentially hungry rider was consumed an hour prior as I was getting cut off by the friendly New Yorkers. (I’m allowed to say that, I’m from Boston originally). With that said, I have to mention how my Boston Red Sox lost to the Yankees last night. Remind me to replace that granola bar (ha!). Oh and I was later told by Mark and Carl that I didn’t miss anything at the hotel for breakfast since the buffet they offered was $18/person. Ouch.

The riders were thankful for the rest stop even though they were wet. The saying goes that there is no such thing as inappropriate weather (though many would argue that), just inappropriate clothing. Even though the cyclists were wet and cold, they still all had huge smiles on their faces! Shower caps are very useful in the rain to place over a helmet! Or, around socked feet! Yay, shower caps!

NYPD met up with us at the park at 1100 and away we went from one end of Manhattan to another! Even though it was raining, the cyclists were super excited!!! Riding through Manhattan with a full police escort is a once in a lifetime experience. NYPD meter maids joined us and helped stop cross traffic at intersections! It is kind of funny to be the tourist attraction! (see photos of others taking photos of US!)

We made a solemn stop at the World Trade Center site. We weren’t sure if because of the escort if we were going to stop or not so we were all thankful we did. This was my third time at the WTC and I still can not adequately put words together to describe the emotion.

Riding for the day concluded at FDNY Station 4 with lunch! Thanks FDNY! Thanks Chief Periuggia and everyone at FDNY for making today possible!

Staying the night in Princeton, New Jersey. Woohoo, Jersey! I need some Hoboken pie since we never made it to Lombardi’s today in NYC.