Sunday dawned clear and bright with no rain in sight! We were psyched! At 6:30 AM the eight of us staying at the Hostel hopped on our bikes and rode four miles down Broadway, accompanied by a few taxicabs, to meet eight other Huggers at the Comfort Inn in the bright lights of Times Square. We all picked up the remaining two riders at the Arlington Hotel and continued on to the start of the Tour just a block from the World Trade Center site. We teamed up into small "buddy" groups of from two to four, as we knew it would not be possible for us all to stay together during the tour. What a thrill to wait for the beginning of this ride with 30,000 of our closest friends. The excitement was exhilarating!
The start was slo-o-w, more walking than riding, but it began to thin pretty quickly and we were off! We were soon biking through the rolling green hills of Central Park, and then on to our first bridge crossing, taking us into the Bronx. We were on our bikes for the next several hours, passing through tunnels, over bridges, past skyscrapers and low commercial buildings, viewing the Boros of New York as never before. Occasionally we passed some onlookers that cheered us on. The frequent rest stops were stocked with water and more bananas than Danny Wegman has ever seen. We were supported by hundreds of NYC policemen, firemen and 1500 volunteer marshalls and medics. We were all fascinated to see the different size, shape and ages of the bikers, along with the variety of bikes. We had to stay alert at all times, always keeping watch for our riding "buddy" or "buddies". Most of the riders were courteous and riding competently, but there were a few that seemed to be racing to the finish. Unfortunately, all of us encountered a few accidents. Comments were made that there were more this year than usual.
The finish line and festival site was reached by all 18 (at various times) after a long ride over the Verrazano bridge! As we rode the three miles from the festival site to the Staten Island Ferry, we passed many bikers enjoying the fruits of their labor in front of several bars and cafes with a cool beverage. The Ferry took us back to Manhattan, passing the Statue of Liberty along the way! This was not yet the end, however! In order to get back to our hotel or the hostel, some of us rode the Bikeway along the Hudson River passing lovely gardens and native New Yorkers enjoying the beautiful day. Others found their way back through the traffic-filled streets of Manhattan and they have some harrowing tales to tell. Just ask Ann, Debbie, Russ, or Laura for the details! Did someone have an encounter with a taxicab? Who was it that left a helmet at a picture-taking spot, causing Good Samaritan, Ed, to rack up 66 miles instead of the 60 or less that everyone else’s butt endured! Who became infatuated with a handsome, uniformed policeman along the route? What significance did the name of the Vise Versa restaurant have? Who was able to get front row seats to the production of "Chicago?" Who will stay at the Hostel again and who won’t and why? For the answer to these questions, seek out the members who experienced this fantastic tour?!! And to report your own adventures, consider joining the Tour in 2007!!
- Karen F.
