Thursday, May 16, 2013

GSMTR 2013 Windrock Park in Tennessee

Chance and I spent the weekend at Windrock park near Olive Springs, TN.  Great Smokey Trail Ride is one of the largest gatherings of Toyota 4x4 vehicles in the East Coast.  We spent a few days and nights wheeling but we also got in one of the best bike rides I have ever done.  











The ride below was "Epic" for flatlanders. 



More info about the ride can be found here.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

5 Boro Bike Tour

A second cousin told Sally and I about a bike ride in NY city.  The ride goes through the five boroughs of NY City.  It is the largest bike event in the US.  Over 33,000 people participated in the one day event.  To get that many people to travel 40 miles within the city is quite a feat.  First the city agreed to shut down all vehicular traffic along the route.  That means no vehicles on Church st, 6th Ave, Long Island Expressway, QueensBoro expressway and five major bridges including the Verrazano.  Next the 5 Boro Tour secures security from NYPD, emergency services from NYFD and reserves five city parks for rest areas.  Amazing logistics, but after 36 years they have it down to a science. 

Getting ready to board the Staten Island Ferry


After floating the idea with our group, seven riders emerged with a total of 10 people from Orlando.  Sally's oldest sister and husband rode with their grown kids that live in NY. Our logistics pailed in comparison to what the tour had to do.  We took a 13 year old mini van and built an internal bike rack to secure 4 bikes.  We moved Chance's Yakima roof rack to the van getting all seven bikes on a single vehicle, leaving only the two front seats free.  Brandon, Chance and Stephanie became the drivers with only Brandon making a round trip.  With a stop at a friends house in DC the total drive time into NY with Friday traffic and rain In the south was 19+ hours.


Norman's mini van loaded up with just space for the driver and navigator. 



We made reservations at the Harbor House Bed and Breakfasts on Staten Island.  The location of this place was ideal, spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline from the front porch, the ride proceeds on the road in front of the house and there is a bike store within walking distance.  The best thing is the end of ride event which is a big party is 2 miles away from the BB. Mo is the manager and is very accommodating.  

   



Most of the Florida crew flew in on Friday and out on Monday.  Some saw Broadway shows, museums and Times Square but we all went to the 9-11 memorial.  The spire was hoisted to the top of the Freedom Tower on Friday giving us a perspective of its height.  The memorial plaza grounds were open but the museum was not.  It was quite emotional to relive that event and re-read about that eventful day.   



The ride for us started on Staten Island so we had a 3 mile ride to the ferry at 5:30 am which was quite cold. The 20 minute ride to Manhattan went by fast.




 The temperature was in the high forties with a stiff wind.  I was excited to be in the first pack thinking we would not be going too slow but with only three groups spread out in lower Manhattan math told me we would be riding with eleven thousand other cycling enthusiasts.  We stopped at a Duncan Donut for a biscuit and coffee along with everyone else.



 The ride started with patriotic music and the Star Spangled Banner and off we went.



 Map of ride is posted below. 





Event organizers had Cheerleaders, local bands/singers playing along the route.  One biker had two boom boxes strapped to his bike playing cycling themed music.  We all cracked-up off rolling off the ferry to "Back in the saddle again".    We cycled the length of Manhattan, into Harlem, Bronx, Queens and down through Brooklyn and ending on Staten Island.  5 Boros and Five bridges.



It was quite challenging to keep track of each other while riding even with custom designed shirts that Sally sourced for us.   I highly recommend customink.com.  Custom Ink offer many options, are very friendly and prefer customers to call in with questions.  We even received a hand written note thanking us for our business.  Next big ride we will be gluing mickey ears to our helmets.  Sally's family wore foam Statue of Liberty crowns.



More to come ....