Sunday, September 30, 2007

Tour de Pink, Day 3, Part 1

Yes, I know I still owe Part 2 from Day 2, but given that it is now the end of Day 3, and that tonight's blog is being written from bed instead of the bar, I need to make this one quick and hope my readers will forgive some stories coming out of order.

You know you've put in some hard days when the thought of a 53 mile ride sounds comparatively easy. After a rousing send-off from Trenton's town officials (who have promised us 50 people riding with us out of town and cheering if we come back next year!) we enjoyed a police escort through town and out into New Jersey. The ride leader encouraged us to stay together ("think of the last day of the Tour de France - they all ride in a group, enjoying the experience") which mollified the speed demons to an extent, and made for quite a sight as the 100-strong pink peloton made its way through a bright, crisp morning to Rest Stop 1 20 miles down the road.

Here things split up a bit more, as some riders stopped for a quick water-bottle reload and were off again, and others took advantage of the services of the masseuse and Dr. Mark the chirpractor for an adjustment. Leaving this stop, a group of us fell in with "Team 7," aka Joe's Harem, as "The Major" led a group of 6 female riders 20 miles through headwinds and past traffic to deliver us safely to the lunch stop. This was our last time to be checked in by Charlie, our youngest volunteer and top-notch checker-inner, whose calls of "Can y'all plee-uz sahn ee-un?" will be fondly remembered.

As Team 7 finished lunch ("We're leaving as soon as I hit the latrines," ordered the Major) and prepared to leave, we joined up with another group to ride the last 15 miles to Atlantic Highlands, our last stop before Manhattan. Ignoring a few flipped birds from New Jersey's impatient drivers (Pennsylvania definitely wins the congeniality award!), we rode as a group of 25 or so, led to the finish by the fabulous Sarah (recent survivor and #1 fundraiser - although I think Mitchell will continue to give her a run for her money from now til the end of December) and her wonderfully supportive sister Chris.

From there we boarded buses for Manhattan, where we checked in to the Hilton before heading off to various local bars and restaurants for dinner, and in my case at least, home to sleep in my own bed. Tomorrow morning we start bright and early for our triumphant ride to the Fox studios on 7th Avenue between 48th and 49th Street - look for us on your Fox affiliate between 8 and 9, or come on down between 7:30 and 9 tomorrow to cheer us on if you're in the area!